At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AI product strategy and shape innovative solutions for a world-leading university.
- Company: Imperial College London, a prestigious institution at the forefront of education and research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 43 days annual leave, flexible working, and generous pension schemes.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive culture with excellent personal and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on AI adoption and support science for humanity.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in AI product leadership and strategic delivery in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
About the role Are you an experienced product leader who wants to shape how artificial intelligence is used across a world-leading university?Imperial College London is seeking a Principal Product Manager to lead the strategic direction and roadmap for our central AI capability.
This is a unique opportunity to turn emerging technology into safe, useful and measurable outcomes for students, researchers and colleagues across Education, Research and Professional Services.
As a senior individual contributor, you will work closely with the ICT leadership AI lead to set product vision, prioritise demand, shape investment choices and bring together teams across ICT and the wider university.
You will lead through influence, expertise and example to turn the university’s AI strategy into a coherent portfolio of products and services.
What you would be doing As the Principal Product Manager - AI, you will provide strategic product leadership for Imperial's central AI capability.
You will: Own and communicate the product vision, multi-year strategy and roadmap for Imperial's central AI capability.
Work closely with the ICT leadership AI lead to translate Imperial’s AI strategy into clear product priorities, investment choices and delivery outcomes.
Shape central AI tooling, including d AIsy, Microsoft Copilot, Git Hub Copilot and emerging model providers, balancing innovation, value, feasibility and safety.
Lead discovery, user research and option evaluation, working with Architecture, Platform Engineering, delivery teams and specialist roles to move the right solutions into production safely.
Prioritise incoming demand through a transparent intake route, identifying when Imperial should reuse an existing product or licence, build something new, or seek governance review.
Own the value, cost and return-on-investment picture for central AI tooling, using adoption, usage, outcomes and service data to guide decisions and improvement.
Represent ICT as a senior AI product expert in governance and investment forums, presenting evidence-based recommendations and influencing priorities.
Coordinate dependencies across product lines and ICT functions, resolving blockers and keeping work aligned to institutional outcomes.
Mentor product colleagues and help establish practical, reusable patterns for AI applications and agentic workflows.
This is a highly visible role where your decisions will influence Imperial's AI direction, investment choices and the value delivered by central AI services.
What we are looking for We're looking for a credible and pragmatic product leader who can connect user needs, institutional priorities and technical delivery in a complex environment.
Essential experience & knowledge: Experience leading AI product strategy and delivery as a shared capability across a large or complex organisation.
A strong track record as a senior product practitioner, setting vision, strategy and roadmaps and leading cross-functional work through influence.
Experience delivering AI products, tooling or services at enterprise scale.
Evidence of influencing senior stakeholders and governance bodies to set direction and support investment decisions.
Strong knowledge of AI tooling, model providers, platform integrations and data flows in complex digital environments.
Deep understanding of user research, service design and agile product delivery, with the judgement to apply them proportionately.
Experience managing strategic vendors and delivery partners, with a strong understanding of accessibility, data privacy, information security and responsible AI.
Skills & abilities that will make you stand out: Can translate a fast-moving technology landscape into clear choices, priorities and outcomes.
Communicate complex ideas clearly and credibly with delivery teams, academic and professional services colleagues, suppliers and senior leaders.
Build trusted relationships and influence stakeholders at all levels.
Challenge constructively, make trade-offs and create momentum without relying on formal authority.
Use evidence, metrics and feedback to judge product health, value and impact.
Work confidently across near-term delivery and longer-term strategic planning.
Remain effective in ambiguous, fast-moving or politically sensitive situations.
Develop the product practice around you through mentoring, reusable methods and shared learning.
What we can offer you The opportunity to shape the responsible adoption of AI at a world-leading institution and support our mission to use science for humanity.
Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 43 days' annual leave and generous pension schemes).
Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing. staff networkswellbeing Further information This is a permanent, full-time post.
If you require any further details about the role, please contact j. toner@ic. ac. uk
Principal Product Manager - AI employer: Imperial College London
Imperial College London is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation within the International Relations Office. Employees benefit from professional growth opportunities, a commitment to diversity, and the chance to engage in meaningful projects that have a global impact, all set in the heart of one of the world's leading academic institutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Product Manager - AI
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Imperial College London!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Imperial College London would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Imperial College London through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Product Manager - AI
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Principal Product Manager - AI, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Principal Product Manager - AI position at Imperial College London. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Imperial College London
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
