Head of Product in England

Head of Product in England

England Temporary 60000 - 84000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the transformation of government data access with innovative digital products.
  • Company: Join the Government Digital Service, a dynamic centre for modern digital governance.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to make a real impact.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of public services and enhance citizen engagement through technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong product management experience and excellent communication skills required.
  • Other info: Attend our virtual recruitment event on 16th January 2026 to learn more!

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.

This role is available across our London, Bristol and Manchester offices. The Government Digital Service (GDS) is a multi-disciplinary digital centre of government, responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. We are looking for a dynamic, passionate and experienced Head of Products to lead the transformation of access to government data, replacing data.gov.uk with a world-class digital platform serving citizens, researchers, innovators and businesses.

Responsibilities

  • Define a clear product vision with a focus on iterative product development that meets user needs and delivers incremental value, while working toward measurable objectives and data-driven outcomes.
  • Provide direction and leadership for multidisciplinary product teams working across different stakeholder groups to design, develop, and deliver user-centric data products and services.
  • Develop and drive an everyday culture of experimentation across all product teams, balancing experimentation on innovative experiences with operational efficiencies.
  • Lead engagement with key stakeholders by running demos, blogging, speaking at conferences, and facilitating workshops.
  • Be a visible leader who takes responsibility, while supporting the well-being and professional development of your team and the wider product community within the department.
  • Support the Deputy Directors in the implementation of strategic initiatives and delivery of operational challenges.
  • Maintain knowledge of the changing digital, data and technology landscape and the opportunities they provide to improve the delivery of public services in the UK.

Person Specification

  • Strong product management experience with a track-record for shipping and evolving great digital products by working with multiple teams in an agile delivery setting.
  • Created and developed product strategy to secure support for your products and direct the work of delivery teams through all phases of delivery – from discovery to continuous improvement in a live setting.
  • Assessed products and services and given constructive feedback and guidance on priorities and improvements.
  • Great working relationships with a variety of disciplines involved in digital delivery, including engineering, service design, performance analysis, and delivery management.
  • Engaged with senior stakeholders, including suppliers, coordinating activity across a number of organisations toward common objectives.
  • Set, monitored and reported measurable performance targets for teams and products.
  • Used strong communication skills to enable you to engage with people through a range of channels and explain what you are doing and how you are doing it in clear and compelling ways.
  • Experience recruiting, coaching and line-managing product managers, identifying learning and development opportunities for individuals and teams.
  • Familiarity with working with suppliers through the end-to-end procurement process.
  • Experience of developing, launching and iterating data products and services.

Additional Information

This role is a 2-year Fixed Term Appointment.

In order to assist candidates with this role, we will be holding a virtual recruitment event on 16th January 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 to go through the role in more detail. If you are interested in joining this event please email: and a member of the team will send you an invitation.

Seniority level: Mid-Senior level

Employment type: Contract

Job function: Product Management

Industries: Government Administration

Head of Product in England employer: Government Digital Service

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment across London, Bristol, and Manchester. With a strong focus on employee well-being and professional development, GDS fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, empowering teams to lead the transformation of public services through cutting-edge digital solutions. Employees benefit from engaging in meaningful projects that directly impact citizens and have access to continuous learning opportunities, making it a rewarding place to grow your career.
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Contact Detail:

Government Digital Service Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Product in England

✨Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research the Government Digital Service and understand their mission, values, and recent projects. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

✨Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups related to digital government services. Engaging with professionals in the field can open doors and give you insights that might just set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! Prepare examples of how you've led product teams and driven successful outcomes. Be ready to discuss your approach to fostering a culture of experimentation and collaboration within your teams.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, keep an eye out for the virtual recruitment event on 16th January 2026 – it’s a great opportunity to ask questions and make a lasting impression!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product in England

Product Management
Agile Delivery
Product Strategy Development
Stakeholder Engagement
Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Performance Monitoring
Data Product Development
User-Centric Design
Experimentation Culture
Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration
Coaching and Mentoring
Procurement Process Familiarity
Continuous Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Craft Your Product Vision: When writing your application, make sure to clearly articulate your product vision. We want to see how you can define a direction that meets user needs and delivers value. Use specific examples from your experience to showcase your ability to lead product teams.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and support their team while driving engagement with stakeholders. Share stories that demonstrate your leadership style and how you've fostered collaboration.

Emphasise Data-Driven Outcomes: Make sure to mention how you've used data to inform your product decisions. We love candidates who can set measurable objectives and track performance. Include any metrics or outcomes from your previous roles that illustrate your success in this area.

Engage with Us: Don’t forget to express your enthusiasm for the role and the opportunity to work with us at StudySmarter. Applying through our website is the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital Service

✨Know Your Product Vision

Before the interview, make sure you have a clear understanding of what a modern digital government looks like. Be ready to discuss how you would define and communicate a product vision that meets user needs and delivers value. Think about examples from your past experience where you've successfully led product development.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare to talk about your experience leading multidisciplinary teams. Highlight specific instances where you’ve fostered collaboration across different stakeholder groups. Use examples that demonstrate your ability to support team well-being and professional development while driving results.

✨Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you’ve engaged with senior stakeholders in the past. Be ready to share strategies you’ve used to run demos, facilitate workshops, or communicate effectively through various channels. This will show your ability to build relationships and coordinate activities towards common objectives.

✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making

Be prepared to discuss how you’ve used data to inform product strategy and measure performance. Share examples of how you’ve set, monitored, and reported on measurable performance targets. This will highlight your analytical skills and commitment to continuous improvement in a live setting.

Head of Product in England
Government Digital Service
Location: England
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