Lead Product Owner - SC Cleared

Lead Product Owner - SC Cleared

Full-Time 95 - 104 £ / hour (est.) No home office possible
CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product management strategy and ensure delivery excellence across complex digital portfolios.
  • Company: Join a global leader in defence and aerospace, shaping the future of digital capabilities.
  • Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, flexible hybrid working, and impactful work on national security.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for mentorship and strategic influence.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in transforming defence digital capabilities with real-world significance.
  • Qualifications: Active SC Clearance and proven leadership in product ownership within MOD or aerospace.

The predicted salary is between 95 - 104 £ per hour.

Reading (Hybrid / Custom working options available)

£95 - £104.46 per hour

Active SC Clearance Required

UK Nationals Only (SC eligibility required for sensitive MOD/aerospace programmes)

Join a global defence and aerospace environment, shaping next-generation digital capabilities across critical MOD and regulated programmes. This is a senior leadership role where you will define product ownership standards, drive delivery excellence, and influence how complex digital products are designed and delivered at scale.

As Lead Product Owner, you will take ownership of product management strategy, governance, and delivery assurance across complex digital portfolios. You will lead multiple product streams, set delivery standards, and ensure alignment between business outcomes, technical execution, and long-term value realisation. This role is highly strategic, focusing not only on delivery but on shaping how product ownership is embedded across large-scale digital transformation programmes.

Key Responsibilities
  • Define and evolve product ownership frameworks, governance models, and delivery standards
  • Lead end-to-end delivery of complex, data-driven digital products across multiple teams
  • Own backlog strategy, prioritisation, and value-driven delivery across programmes
  • Align product direction with organisational, portfolio, and MOD objectives
  • Establish strong collaboration between Product Owners, Business Analysts, architects, and engineering teams
  • Oversee supplier and third-party performance, ensuring quality, compliance, and strategic alignment
  • Drive continuous improvement in Agile and Lean product delivery practices
  • Mentor and influence product teams, embedding best practice across the organisation
  • Ensure clear communication between senior stakeholders and delivery teams
  • Translate complex technical and security considerations into clear product strategy
Essential Experience
  • Active SC Clearance
  • Proven leadership of product ownership across multiple major programmes
  • Strong background within MOD, Defence Digital, or UK aerospace environments
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and external suppliers
  • Deep understanding of Agile and Lean product delivery frameworks
  • Strong technical awareness across: Digital platforms and infrastructure, Security protocols, Modern enterprise architectures
  • Proven expertise in backlog management, prioritisation, and value-based delivery
  • Excellent stakeholder engagement with senior leadership
  • Ability to define and operate scalable product governance frameworks
Desirable Experience
  • Experience operating at strategic or portfolio product level
  • Strong mentoring or coaching experience within product teams
  • Familiarity with complex defence or regulated digital ecosystems
  • Experience influencing organisational product transformation

Why Apply?

  • Senior leadership role shaping defence digital transformation
  • High-impact programmes with national and global significance
  • Opportunity to define product operating models and standards
  • Collaborative, multi-national working environment
  • Flexible hybrid working arrangements
  • Work that directly contributes to critical defence capability

Lead Product Owner - SC Cleared employer: CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler

As a Lead Product Owner in Reading, you will be part of a dynamic and collaborative environment within the defence and aerospace sector, where your expertise will directly influence critical digital transformation programmes. The company offers flexible hybrid working options, competitive hourly rates, and a strong focus on employee growth through mentorship and leadership opportunities, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful work in a high-stakes industry.
CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler

Contact Detail:

CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Product Owner - SC Cleared

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to connections in the defence and aerospace sectors, especially those who have experience with MOD programmes. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a referral that could land you an interview.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on Agile and Lean methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in past roles. We want to see your strategic thinking and how you’ve driven delivery excellence in complex environments.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Think of examples where you’ve mentored teams or influenced product strategies. We love to see candidates who can inspire others and drive collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining us in shaping the future of defence digital transformation.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Owner - SC Cleared

Product Management Strategy
Governance Models
Delivery Assurance
Backlog Management
Prioritisation
Value-Driven Delivery
Agile Methodologies
Lean Practices
Stakeholder Engagement
Collaboration
Technical Awareness
Security Protocols
Digital Platforms
Mentoring
Coaching

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in product ownership, especially within the MOD or aerospace sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!

Showcase Leadership Experience: As a Lead Product Owner, your leadership skills are crucial. Use your application to demonstrate how you've successfully led teams and managed complex digital products. We love seeing examples of how you’ve influenced product strategy and delivery excellence.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key! We appreciate straightforward language that gets to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s necessary, and make sure your achievements stand out clearly to catch our eye.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

How to prepare for a job interview at CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler

✨Know Your Product Ownership Frameworks

Make sure you’re well-versed in product ownership frameworks and governance models. Be ready to discuss how you've defined and evolved these in your previous roles, especially in complex digital environments.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience across major programmes. Think about times when you’ve successfully managed multidisciplinary teams and how you’ve influenced product delivery standards.

✨Align with Organisational Objectives

Understand the key objectives of the organisation and be prepared to explain how your product direction aligns with them. This shows that you’re not just focused on delivery but also on long-term value realisation.

✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders

Practice translating complex technical and security considerations into clear product strategies. Being able to communicate effectively with senior stakeholders is crucial, so think of examples where you’ve done this successfully.

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>