Lead Product Manager – HR & Finance applications – G7

Overview

The Welsh Government delivers digital services to people and business across Wales. Led by our Chief Digital Officer, the Welsh Government is increasingly delivering more services online and has a vision of improving the lives of everyone through collaboration, innovation and better public services. To achieve this vision, the Welsh Government needs specialist digital, data and technology skills across all departments in the organisation to improve the services and policies we develop for Welsh citizens.

Team/Division Overview

The successful candidate will report to the Head of IT Services, Operations and Engineering. You will be responsible for the ongoing management, support and delivery of core corporate applications including HR and Finance.

Job Role

This post is mapped to Lead Product Manager in the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. The Lead Product Manager for HR and Finance systems will lead the functional application teams responsible for delivering secure, compliant, and high-performing systems that support critical business processes. This role combines strategic product ownership with operational leadership, ensuring systems meet business needs, adhere to governance standards, and deliver value through continuous improvement.

You are looking for people who are:

• Strong leaders with experience of managing functional teams
• Have knowledge of ITIL principles and governance frameworks
• Experienced communicators with the ability to engage with both internal and external stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead on defining and maintaining the product vision and roadmap for HR and Finance systems aligned with organisational objectives.
• Ensure application development lifecycle principles are applied and followed.
• Advise and influence stakeholders at management level regarding delivery, costs, availability, and functionality of systems.
• Set the overall direction for the functional team, ensuring adherence to ITIL standards and best practice guidelines.
• Ensure systems are secure, compliant, and licensed in line with corporate policy and contractual agreements.
• Lead on stakeholder management, ensuring effective communication with key customers and managing expectations around application functionality and service availability.
• Develop effective partnerships with business stakeholders to ensure systems meet operational needs.
• Act as key contact for 3rd party suppliers, ensuring arrangements deliver the highest value through proactive engagement and management of deliverables under the contracts as appropriate, taking overall responsibility for service delivery and contract management.
• Ensure system incidents and development requests are managed, prioritised, and delivered in line with agreed SLAs.
• Ensure team members operate within specified governance and control structures.
• Day-to-day management and leadership of application functional teams.
• Manage and monitor performance of direct reports in line with agreed objectives.
• Lead recruitment activity and workforce planning for the team.

Development opportunities

As a member of the Digital, Data and Technology profession in Welsh Government you will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities. You will have the opportunity to work on various projects and engage with colleagues at all levels from within the profession and business areas across the organisation. Welsh Government is supportive of your learning and development and has a range of training and opportunities available including a suite of online training, coaching and mentoring and short-term experience placements which you will be able to take advantage of depending on your learning and development needs and discussions with your line manager.

Other vacancy related information

This advertisement confirms the overall criteria being assessed throughout this recruitment exercise. For further details on the criteria and evidence required at the application stage, you will need to press apply and review the application form.

When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.

A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status, will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.

In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience - Excellent knowledge of both HR and Finance business processes and how they support business activities. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

In the case of more than one candidate scoring the same, the panel has agreed the following criteria will determine merit order:

• Experience - Excellent knowledge of both HR and Finance business processes and how they support business activities
• Experience - Excellent operational knowledge of HR or Finance Systems e.g. Oracle, SAP or equivalent.
• Behaviour - Leadership - Be visible to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in area of work
• DDaT Skill – Product Management – Create a prioritised roadmap for your products and use it to discuss strategy at all levels

Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Experience Criteria will be invited to interview. Interviews will be scheduled for week commencing w/c 9th March. The technical scenario and instructions will be emailed to you 5 days before your interview.

This is a hybrid role where the post holder will be expected to attend their local Welsh Government office in line with organisation expectations and to meet business needs.

Vetting level SC - Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years.

Contact point for further information regarding the post: ictservicecontrol@gov.wales

Welsh language requirements: Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.

How to apply

All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system. Unless stated otherwise, the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. For more information see the candidate guidance and information on Civil Service Success Profiles. Applications are welcomed from a diverse range of experiences. If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team to request an alternative format or a recruitment adjustment.

Use the 'Apply' button to submit your application. You will be asked to register if you don't have an account or sign in if you do. Registration takes a few minutes and you will need an email address. Check your Application Centre regularly for updates and also check your spam/junk folder for communications. You must complete and submit the online application before the deadline. Applications submitted in Welsh are welcome and will not be treated less favourably than English submissions.