At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product operations, optimise workflows, and integrate AI tools for seamless product delivery.
- Company: Join Ford Credit, a leader in innovative product solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with global teams and enjoy a dynamic work culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of product operations and drive innovation across Europe.
- Qualifications: Experience in product operations and strong understanding of AI applications.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We are searching for a Head of Product Operations to own the operational and technical backbone of our EU product function. This is a hands‑on player coach role. Instead of focusing on traditional people management, you will act as an individual contributor and technical leader, building the infrastructure, automated workflows, and AI augmented processes that make great product work repeatable. You will treat our internal workflows as your product, maximising strategic headspace by automating repetitive tasks, optimising our tech stack, and introducing cutting edge AI tools into the daily product lifecycle. Working closely with regional teams and North American counterparts, you will align and scale these workflows to build a cohesive, global product operating system.
Product Operations at Ford Credit
Product Operations at Ford Credit is a strategic enablement function focused on accelerating delivery, driving product maturity, and reducing operational friction across our EU portfolio. You will drive four progressive pillars of product enablement:
- Tooling & Automation: Administering and configuring our core product stack (Jira, Airtable, Confluence, Miro) to ensure automated, standardised collaboration across EU product lines in alignment with global strategies.
- Ways of Working & Engineering Alignment: Designing shared processes for planning, estimation, and execution. This pillar addresses the human and behavioural mechanics of delivery, transforming how teams engage and collaborate to resolve operational friction.
- AI Ops for PDLC: Integrating Generative AI, prompt engineering, and automated agents into the Product Development Life Cycle (PDLC) to automate documentation, user stories, and feedback synthesis.
- Frictionless Compliance: Partnering with Legal, Risk, and Compliance to embed European financial regulations directly as automated guardrails within our tooling.
Product Tooling & Automation
- Own and optimise the Product technology ecosystem, including Jira, Airtable, Confluence, Miro, and emerging platforms.
- Design, configure, and automate workflows that improve collaboration, governance, and delivery consistency.
- Standardise tools and processes across European product teams while aligning with global Product Operations practices.
Product Operating Model & Ways of Working
- Define and continuously improve the operating model for product planning, prioritisation, estimation, and execution.
- Drive adoption of consistent product management practices that increase transparency, efficiency, and cross‑functional collaboration.
- Partner with Product, Engineering, Design, and Delivery teams to remove operational bottlenecks and improve execution.
AI‑Enabled Product Operations
- Lead the adoption of Generative AI across the Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC).
- Introduce AI‑powered workflows, prompt engineering, and automation to streamline activities such as documentation, user story creation, research synthesis, and reporting.
- Evaluate and implement emerging AI capabilities that improve team productivity and decision‑making.
Governance & Compliance
- Partner with Legal, Risk, and Compliance teams to embed European regulatory requirements into product workflows and tooling.
- Design automated governance processes that reduce manual effort while ensuring compliance by design.
What You’ll Bring
- Proven experience in Product Operations, Product Management Operations, or a similar strategic enablement role.
- Deep expertise with modern product management tooling and workflow automation.
- Experience designing scalable operating models and improving cross‑functional ways of working.
- Strong understanding of AI applications within product development and operational excellence.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence across regional and global teams.
- A continuous improvement mindset with a passion for building efficient, scalable product organisations.
Why Join Us
Join Ford Credit at a pivotal moment as we transform the way we build and deliver products across Europe. You'll have the opportunity to shape our Product Operations function, lead the adoption of AI‑enabled ways of working, and influence how high‑performing product teams operate at scale. Working with colleagues across Europe and North America, you'll play a key role in driving innovation, operational excellence, and the future of digital product delivery.
Please note that we currently run background checks as part of our recruitment process pending a successful interview. The Company is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for all and is opposed to any form of less‑favourable treatment or harassment on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sex, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or disability.
This position is based in Dunton, and it is expected the successful candidate will be able to attend the Dunton Campus for typically 4 days a week and remain flexible on the days they are required to attend the office according to business requirements. As part of our pre‑employment checks process, successful candidates will be required to undergo a criminal record check. This will be conducted in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and applied only to unspent convictions.
Head of Product Operations employer: Ford
Join a leading employer in the rail industry, where as a Mechanical Fitter in Leeds, you will be part of a highly skilled engineering team dedicated to maintaining powerful locomotives. With competitive salaries starting at £47,147 and opportunities for significant earnings growth through technical training and additional responsibilities, this role offers not only financial rewards but also a supportive work culture that prioritises employee development and stability. Experience a dynamic work environment with varied challenges and the chance to enhance your skills while contributing to essential transport services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Operations
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Ford!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Ford would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Ford through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Head of Product Operations, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Head of Product Operations position at Ford. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ford
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
