At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a team of Product Owners and Business Analysts to drive change.
- Company: Join Hiscox, a leading brand in the insurance market with a unique culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, great employee benefits, and a focus on wellbeing.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of product delivery while working with amazing people.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in leading teams and driving best practices in product delivery.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Hiscox UK
Hiscox UK is a leading brand in the insurance market, recognised as setting the standards others try to emulate. We consistently deliver strong growth and exceptional returns, recruiting only the very best and empowering them to deliver. We are known for insuring the homes of the rich and famous through to the most innovative technology companies. Our customers are diverse and unique and are only united by our ability to provide specialist insurance tailored to their needs.
The role:
As the Practice Lead for Product Owners (POs) and Business Analysts (BAs), you will shape and lead a dual-discipline capability that underpins how Hiscox UK Retail delivers value across both product, project and programme-driven change. You will set the strategic direction for these disciplines, ensuring they maintain distinct identities whilst having the frameworks, support and environment needed to excel across the full delivery lifecycle. You’ll cultivate a thriving, high-performing community that continually learns, evolves and raises the bar on how we discover, define and deliver change. You will also play a key role in workforce planning and capability development, ensuring we have the right skills, structure and deployment model to support a more product-led focus.
What you’ll be doing:
- People Leadership & Line Management
- Leadership of a core team of Product Owners and BA Team Leads, supporting their growth and performance
- Contributing to recruitment and selection for roles
- Setting clear role expectations across the PO and BA career pathways
- Ways of Working, Standards & Best Practice
- Leading a multi-discipline Community of Practice that connects POs and BAs across our change initiatives
- Defining, evolving and embedding ways of working for POs and BAs across both product and programme environments
- Driving best practice across discovery, delivery, analysis, requirements definition and value measurement
- Capability Development & Uplift
- Identifying capability gaps and shaping uplift strategies aligned to evolving business, product and programme needs
- Maintaining a strong understanding of how PO and BA roles are evolving across the industry, and using these insights to strengthen how we deliver products and programmes
- Using data and insights to track capability maturity and drive continuous improvement across PO and BA disciplines
- Strategic Workforce Planning
- Applying operating model experience to ensure we have the right PO and BA skills and roles in place to support effective delivery across our products and programmes
- Formulating and driving forward a long‐term strategy for BA/PO resourcing to drive evolution across our trading systems
- Working across the function to ensure effective deployment and utilisation of POs and BAs across both portfolio.
- Performance, Outcomes & Value
- Developing and embedding performance metrics that demonstrate increasing efficiency and value delivery across the PO and BA practice
- Championing outcome‐focused thinking and decision making across delivery teams
Candidate Profile
Our must haves:
- Strong proven experience in a similar role leading Product Owners and Business Analysts, or similar digital/change delivery professionals
- Experience building and maturing a capability, discipline or community of practice
- Ability to demonstrate examples of driving best practice/best in class ways of working across BA and/or PO communities.
- Experience leading or shaping capability, operating model or organisational design initiatives
- Strong experience in product and programme delivery, including discovery, backlog management and outcome driven delivery in complex environments
- Experience defining ways of working and driving standardisation across teams
- Strong operating model and workforce planning experience
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience engaging senior leaders across product, technology and business functions
- Experience overseeing resource planning, allocation and utilisation across multiple teams or initiatives
Our nice to haves:
- Experience working in financial services, insurance, or other regulated industries
- Experience designing capability frameworks, career paths or competency models
- Awareness of emerging trends in product, technology, or AI‐enabled discovery
Diversity and flexible working at Hiscox
At Hiscox we care about our people. We hire the best people for the job and we’re committed to diversity and creating a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. We also know that working life doesn’t always have to be in the office, and as long as it’s safe to do so, we will be operating a hybrid way of working to encourage a healthy work-life balance, with 2 to 3 days in the office per week.
If you want to help build a brilliant future; work with amazing people; be part of a unique company culture; and, of course, enjoy great employee benefits that take care of your mental and physical wellbeing, come and join us.
Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis employer: Hiscox SA
Hiscox UK is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a dynamic hybrid work environment in York and Colchester. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Hiscox fosters a unique culture where innovative thinking thrives, and employees are empowered to excel in their roles as Product Owners and Business Analysts. The company provides excellent benefits and opportunities for professional advancement, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the insurance sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis
✨Dive Into Industry Networking Events
Get your foot in the door by attending insurance industry events and conferences. Not only will you learn about the latest trends, but you'll also meet potential employers and industry peers. Check out local chapters of professional bodies like the Chartered Insurance Institute for valuable meetups.
✨Use LinkedIn to Your Advantage
Don’t underestimate the power of LinkedIn in the insurance world. Engage with industry content, join relevant groups, and connect with professionals at companies you admire (like Hiscox SA). A thoughtful message explaining your interest can really make a difference!
✨Look Out for Graduate Schemes
Many firms in insurance have structured graduate programmes. Keep an eye on application windows and utilise your university's career services for insider tips. These schemes are designed to develop talent and often lead to permanent roles after your initial training.
✨Leverage Your Current Connections
Got friends or family in the industry? Now’s the time to reach out! Personal referrals can give you a head start, so let them know you're on the lookout for full-time opportunities at places like Hiscox SA. Don’t shy away from asking for a coffee chat; you never know what doors it might open!
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In insurance, we love a candidate who can crunch numbers and analyse data effectively. When crafting your CV, make sure to showcase any relevant coursework or experiences that highlight your analytical abilities, especially if you’ve tackled risk assessment or financial modelling.
Showcase Industry Knowledge:Don’t be shy about your knowledge of the insurance sector! We want to see that you've done your homework on current trends, regulations, and challenges in the industry. Mention any relevant projects or studies you’ve completed that demonstrate your understanding of the field in your cover letter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you’re passionate about insurance. Share any personal experiences or what drew you into this profession. We’re looking for enthusiasm and a clear motivation for why you want to be part of our team at Hiscox SA.
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don't just send a generic CV! Focus on tailoring it specifically for the insurance role at Hiscox SA. Highlight relevant skills such as risk management, customer service experience, or any certifications you've earned in the industry to make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hiscox SA
✨Know Your Numbers: Insurance Fundamentals
Brush up on your understanding of key insurance concepts, like underwriting principles and risk assessment. Expect the interviewer at Hiscox SA to throw some technical questions your way, so be ready to demonstrate your grasp of these essentials.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Side
In the insurance world, it's all about data. Prepare to discuss any analytical tools or methodologies you've used in past experiences. If you have a portfolio of projects where you've tackled complex data, bring that along to impress the team!
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
As a full-timer at Hiscox SA, they'll want to know how you handle real-life scenarios, not just theory. Think about challenges you've faced in teamwork or customer service, and how those experiences can relate to a career in insurance.
✨Know the Company Culture Inside Out
Understanding Hiscox SA's values and workplace culture is essential. Don’t just memorise their mission statement; think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in being part of their team long-term.
