At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage a portfolio of digital products, driving innovation and collaboration.
- Company: Join the DVLA, a forward-thinking agency with a focus on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and a Civil Service pension.
- Other info: Flexible working options and excellent career development opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in shaping the future of DVLA services.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 69501 - 69501 £ per year.
Lead Product Manager role at the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea (hybrid working). £69,501 salary + excellent benefits including:
- Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% - DVLA contributes £20,134 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme
- 25 days annual leave (increases with service up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays + a privilege day for the King's birthday
- A range of training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise
- Flexible working options that encourage a great work-life balance
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
- Digital communications clear career frameworks
- On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
- On-site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar
- Free parking
Within our ITS directorate, we are recruiting a Product Leader with responsibility for managing and leading a number of products within a product portfolio containing multiple individual products. As a Lead Product Manager, you will oversee a portfolio of digital products, manage cross-functional teams, and act as a key liaison between technical teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership. The Lead Product Manager role is a critical role in driving the development and maintenance of new and existing DVLA services during an exciting period of development.
Key elements of this role:
- Managing a portfolio of products, providing leadership, direction and escalation, whilst also acting as product manager for the most complex areas
- Define and articulate a portfolio level product vision, roadmap, and strategy, aligning with organisational goals and government digital transformation objectives.
- Collaborate with internal business teams, senior leadership and external stakeholders to gather requirements, manage expectations, and ensure alignment.
- Drive agile and lean product development processes, ensuring timely delivery within scope, budget, and quality standards.
- Ensure operational running of the product, be involved in any ongoing incidents and support the prioritisation of the team in the resolution of the issues and defects vs ongoing change commitments.
- Setting strategy and managing resource allocation within product to support product development as well as operational management of the product.
- Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive continuous improvement.
- Working closely with other Lead Product Managers to ensure synergy across the product organisation.
- Contribute to the DVLA product management capability to build and develop standards and guidance across the capability.
- Working closely with the Head of Product to provide leadership and direction within the product community.
- Being involved in hiring Senior Product Managers and managing any related contracts.
- Budgeting and forecasting across the product portfolio.
- Manage and mentor a team of product managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Lead Product Managers manage a complex portfolio of products at the heart of the delivery of DVLA change programmes. You will be responsible for line management, development and coaching of Senior Product managers, providing the escalation route through to the Head of Product and ensuring the consolidated delivery of technical change across multiple squads. You will set the vision and strategy of the technical outcomes, manage dependencies, and identify and manage priorities to ensure the successful delivery of the technical products based on introducing value within the products.
You will need to have excellent communication skills and will engage with senior stakeholders at all levels to support the effective delivery of those products and services. You will own the development and continuous improvement of the product portfolio, turning the vision into reality. You will ensure the product vision is delivered in the most effective way, building something that is reusable and transformational. You will be responsible for balancing requirements within change initiatives across multiple programmes, continuous product improvements to ensure the product is maintained to DVLA standards, managing defects, technical debt and other improvements identified.
You will work closely with Project and Portfolio Management teams to align any project plans of approved change initiatives with your roadmap for delivery. You will work closely and collaborate with service owners and other stakeholders across directorates to understand the aims, objectives and changes required by the services that will be facilitated and implemented by your product.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Manage people and products at a strategic, technical, and working level
- Maintain the high-level roadmap at a portfolio level and ensuring all product within the portfolio have coherent road maps
- Be involved in a range of programme management activities relevant to their product portfolio
- Be involved in recruiting product managers at all levels and contractors
- Provide leadership in your portfolio and across the local product community, working closely with the head of product
Open Session: Would you like to find out more about the role, the digital team and what it's like to work at DVLA? If so, we are organising a familiarisation session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on 27th May at 12pm.
Lead Product Manager employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Swansea with hybrid working options that promote a healthy work-life balance. Employees benefit from a generous salary package, extensive training opportunities, and a strong commitment to inclusion and diversity, alongside unique perks such as an on-site gym, nursery, and free parking. With clear career progression paths and a focus on employee development, DVLA is dedicated to fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
Contact Details:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DVLA 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 practising common questions. We should focus on our leadership style and how we handle product management challenges. Role-playing with a friend can help us feel more confident!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase our passion for digital transformation! During interviews, let’s share examples of how we've driven change in previous roles. This will demonstrate that we’re the right fit for DVLA's goals.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and show our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in managing product portfolios and leading cross-functional teams, as these are key aspects of the job.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:We want to see how you've successfully led teams and projects in the past. Share specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage people and products effectively, especially in a digital environment.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to articulate your product vision and strategy, and make sure to align your goals with DVLA's objectives.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Product Portfolio
Before the interview, dive deep into the DVLA's product portfolio. Understand the current products, their purposes, and how they align with the organisation's goals. This knowledge will help you articulate your vision and strategy for managing and improving these products.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Product Manager, you'll be expected to lead cross-functional teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. Highlight your experience in mentoring and developing other product managers.
✨Master Agile Methodologies
Familiarise yourself with agile and lean product development processes. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented these methodologies in previous roles, ensuring timely delivery within scope and budget. This will demonstrate your ability to drive effective product development at DVLA.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Effective communication with stakeholders is key in this role. Prepare to discuss how you've gathered requirements and managed expectations in past projects. Show that you can engage with senior leadership and external stakeholders to ensure alignment and successful product delivery.
