At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a community of Product Owners and Business Analysts to drive impactful change.
- Company: Join Hiscox, a leader in the insurance industry with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity in a supportive environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by guiding teams to deliver value through strategic product ownership.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in product and business analysis roles is essential.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
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.
Responsibilities
- People Leadership & Line Management: Lead a core team of Product Owners and BA Team Leads, supporting their growth and performance; contribute to recruitment and selection for roles; set clear role expectations across the PO and BA career pathways.
- Ways of Working, Standards & Best Practice: Lead a multi‑discipline Community of Practice that connects POs and BAs across change initiatives; define, evolve and embed ways of working for POs and BAs across both product and programme environments; drive best practice across discovery, delivery, analysis, requirements definition and value measurement.
- Capability Development & Uplift: Identify capability gaps and shape uplift strategies aligned to evolving business, product and programme needs; maintain a strong understanding of how PO and BA roles are evolving across the industry and use insights to strengthen delivery; use data and insights to track capability maturity and drive continuous improvement across PO and BA disciplines.
- Strategic Workforce Planning: Apply operating model experience to ensure the right PO and BA skills and roles are in place to support effective delivery; formulate and drive forward a long‑term strategy for BA/PO resourcing; work across the function to ensure effective deployment and utilisation of POs and BAs across portfolios.
- Performance, Outcomes & Value: Develop and embed performance metrics that demonstrate increasing efficiency and value delivery; champion outcome‑focused thinking and decision‑making across delivery teams.
Qualifications – 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, engaging senior leaders across product, technology and business functions.
- Experience overseeing resource planning, allocation and utilisation across multiple teams or initiatives.
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: We are committed to diversity and creating an inclusive culture. Working life can be flexible, with 2 to 3 days in the office per week when safe to do so.
Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis employer: Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS)
Hiscox UK Retail is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, particularly in the roles of Product Owners and Business Analysts. With a strong commitment to diversity and flexible working arrangements, the company fosters a collaborative and high-performing culture where innovation thrives. Employees benefit from strategic workforce planning, continuous learning opportunities, and a supportive environment that encourages excellence across all delivery lifecycles.
Contact Details:
Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in a role you’re aiming for. It’s all about making those connections that could lead to your next opportunity.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on sharing your achievements. Use real examples of how you’ve led teams or improved processes. This is your time to shine and demonstrate why you’re the perfect fit for the Practice Lead role.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company inside out! Understand their values, culture, and recent projects. This will not only help you tailor your conversations but also show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team. Plus, it’ll give you some great talking points during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of resources to help you along the way. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm and commitment to joining our community. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Lead - Product Ownership and Business Analysis
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Practice Lead for Product Owners and Business Analysts. Highlight your experience in leading teams, shaping capabilities, and driving best practices. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our community of practice. Be sure to mention specific examples from your past that demonstrate your leadership and strategic planning skills.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics and outcomes to illustrate how you've driven efficiency and value in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hiscox Underwriting Group Services Ltd (HUGS)
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the role of Product Owners and Business Analysts. Brush up on best practices, frameworks, and the latest trends in product delivery. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just interested but also knowledgeable.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading teams, be prepared to share specific examples of how you've successfully managed and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in building communities of practice and driving performance metrics that demonstrate value delivery.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your excellent stakeholder management skills by discussing how you've engaged with senior leaders in previous roles. Prepare to talk about how you’ve navigated complex environments and ensured effective communication across different functions.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the company’s goals and challenges. Inquire about their current strategies for capability development and how they measure success in their Product Owner and Business Analyst communities. This shows your genuine interest in contributing to their success.
