At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product teams to create innovative digital solutions for government services.
- Company: Join the Government Digital Service, shaping the future of digital governance.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in public service by enhancing digital experiences for users.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and agile methodologies, with strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join to apply for the Lead Product Manager role at Government Digital Service. The GDS is the digital centre of government, responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government.
Job Summary
We are hiring Platform Product Leads across two Directorates:
- GDS’s central Technology & Security team: enabling developers across GDS
- One Login’s platform teams: enabling teams within a flagship programme
Responsibilities
- Be responsible for a product portfolio and oversee multiple Platform Product Managers and their teams.
- Reporting to a Head of Product or a Deputy Director, guide prioritisation across products and ensure alignment with the organisation’s goals and strategy.
- Own and develop a product vision, strategy and roadmap for your Platform products and product teams.
- Own your teams’ “front door”, shaping incoming requests from stakeholders, and ensuring effective prioritisation decisions.
- Lead your teams to set clear, measurable, outcome‑oriented goals (OKRs), balancing user‑facing benefits with reliability, security and other service level considerations.
- Guide your teams to identify risky assumptions and carry out continuous internal discovery (quantitative and qualitative) to de‑risk product decisions efficiently and ensure that teams release value to users early and often.
- Champion your products with internal teams, developing trusted relationships and securing adoption, to drive measurable benefits to productivity, reliability, security and costs.
- Help your products move through the product lifecycle (Discovery, Alpha, Beta), setting appropriate goals for user experience, reliability and security (e.g. via SLOs), managing stakeholder expectations, and maturing your products over time.
- Partner with Directors and Heads‑of to evolve the overall platform strategy, bringing expert insights from users, thoughtful application of technology (including AI) and industry best practices in order to solve users’ problems.
- Coach, line manage and mentor your Product Managers, as well as others in the wider organisation.
- Champion our work across government and in the wider industry, providing thought leadership in both Platform product management and the best practices of your users.
Person Specification
- Product managing digital products in a fast‑paced environment, working with multidisciplinary, agile teams, from discovery to delivery, and continuous, data‑led improvement.
- Developing and improving a product’s operational maturity as well as ensuring a consistent approach to user and technical operational support – anticipating and mitigating problems before they arise and helping others think similarly.
- Engaging with stakeholders, senior leaders and internal teams through a range of channels to identify a common set of needs and priorities, or to explain what you are doing and how you are doing it in clear and compelling ways.
- Using these skills to develop and agree tactical and long term plans, supporting necessary decisions.
- Modern technologies used in delivery of cloud‑based software products (especially AI) – and an ability to explain the purpose and constraints of these technologies to non‑technical people.
- Developing and selling a product and commercial strategy to secure funding and support for the product.
- Hands‑on delivery and iteration of products, working with multiple teams in an agile delivery setting – from discovery to continuous, data‑led improvement in a live setting.
- Comfortable using user insights to make strategic decisions to provide the best user experience.
- Experience recruiting, coaching and line management of product managers, identifying learning and development opportunities for individuals and teams.
SC clearance required – this role requires SC clearance, which would normally need 5 years’ UK residency in the past 5 years. This is not an absolute requirement, but supplementary checks may be needed where individuals have not lived in the UK for that period. This may mean your security clearance (and therefore your appointment) will take longer or, in some cases, not be possible.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Product Management
Industries: Government Administration
Lead Product Manager in England employer: Government Digital Service
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets public service. As a Lead Product Manager, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of digital government while working alongside talented professionals in a collaborative culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a commitment to using cutting-edge technology and a focus on meaningful impact, GDS provides a unique platform for you to lead transformative projects that enhance user experience and drive efficiency across government services.
Contact Details:
Government Digital Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at the Government Digital Service on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost our chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into GDS’s recent projects and initiatives. We want to show that we’re not just interested in the role but also passionate about their mission to modernise digital government.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a mate to do mock interviews with us. This will help us articulate our thoughts clearly and confidently, especially when discussing our product management experience and how it aligns with GDS’s goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we can tailor our application to highlight how our skills match the job description perfectly.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in product management, especially in digital environments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant achievements!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about leading product teams and how your vision aligns with our goals at GDS. Be specific about what excites you about this role.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Lead Product Manager, we want to see your leadership style. Share examples of how you've coached and mentored teams in the past, and how you’ve driven product success through collaboration and clear communication.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital Service
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the products you’ll be managing. Understand their current status, user feedback, and how they align with the government’s digital strategy. This will help you speak confidently about your vision and how you can enhance the product portfolio.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring Product Managers and guiding teams through the product lifecycle. Be ready to discuss how you’ve set measurable goals and achieved them, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve engaged with various stakeholders in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific instances where you identified needs and priorities, and how you communicated your strategies effectively. This will demonstrate your ability to build trusted relationships within the organisation.
✨Stay Updated on Technology Trends
Familiarise yourself with modern technologies, especially AI, and how they can be applied in product management. Be ready to discuss how you would explain these concepts to non-technical stakeholders, showcasing your ability to bridge the gap between tech and user needs.
