Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7
Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7

Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7

Bristol Full-Time 59644 - 66120 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead digital and data product strategy, ensuring alignment with user needs and government strategies.
  • Company: Join the Planning Inspectorate, a key agency shaping planning decisions across England and Wales.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, competitive salary, excellent pension, and a supportive team environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while driving innovation in digital services.
  • Qualifications: Experience in governance, stakeholder engagement, and managing complex service networks required.
  • Other info: Hybrid working options available; role based in Bristol with flexible attendance.

The predicted salary is between 59644 - 66120 £ per year.

Are you ready to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of digital and data services at the Planning Inspectorate?

As the Digital & Data Product Lead, you\’ll be at the heart of our transformation, driving performance across all Digital & Data services and making a real impact on the Inspectorate as a whole.

You\’ll be part of the Office of the Chief Digital and Information Officer (OCDIO), a team that governs and guides our Digital & Data Services. Together, we ensure that our services meet user needs, deliver value, and push forward our ambitious Digital & Data strategy.

Our Digital Services team is expanding, and we’re looking for motivated, dynamic leaders to help us deliver outstanding digital, data, and technology services. This is a high-profile opportunity to make a real difference in a supportive, high-performing environment.

If you thrive on challenge, value flexibility, and want to be part of a team driving meaningful change—this could be the role for you. We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, and flexible working arrangements.

The Planning Inspectorate, an executive agency of the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, plays a crucial role in planning decisions across England and Wales. Our work directly impacts communities, the economy, and people’s lives.

We’re in the midst of an exciting transformation—redesigning services and modernising our technology to better serve our users. With significant investment in our people, systems, and tools, we’re building a forward-thinking organisation where digital services are at the heart of everything we do.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live, and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers.

The Planning Inspectorate is looking for a strategic leader to define and drive the digital and data product vision across the Inspectorate, ensuring alignment with government-wide strategies and user needs. It requires governance of a complex service network, overseeing product lifecycle management, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement of digital services. The ideal candidate will also lead and develop high-performing teams, foster a culture of innovation and inclusivity, and ensure effective financial and resource planning across the product portfolio.

Each week involves a dynamic mix of strategic oversight, stakeholder engagement, and delivery coordination across enterprise-wide digital products and services. Key activities include:

  1. Product & Service Strategy: Shaping the strategic direction of the enterprise product suite, ensuring alignment with the organisation’s service model and identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement.
  2. Stakeholder Engagement: Regularly engaging with stakeholders across services to manage expectations, gather feedback, and ensure product alignment with business needs.
  3. Delivery Management: Taking responsibility for delivery of cross-cutting enterprise products, ensuring smooth coordination across multiple services and teams.
  4. Product Ownership & Support: Providing guidance and support to the product management function within Digital & Data, promoting best practices and helping teams develop effective product strategies in a service-oriented environment.
  5. Continuous Improvement: Spotting and exploring opportunities to enhance ways of working, foster cross-service collaboration, and leverage emerging technologies to solve business challenges.
  6. Communication & Coordination: Maintaining clear and consistent communication around product goals, progress, and changes, both within the team and across the wider organisation.

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to the new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. The higher of these applies.

This role is being advertised at Grade 7 with a salary range of £59,644 – £66,120.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, with a flexible working hours policy available.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history of ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do significantly impacts people’s lives, communities, and the economy.

We aim to enable our colleagues to work more flexibly and collaboratively, exploring innovative ways to improve our services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers.

This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol, currently out of use due to refurbishment. In the interim, we have access to alternative office space near Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We support hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in-person attendance, which can be discussed during the interview process.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed:

  • Implements the governance framework to enable governance activity (L6)
  • Sets policies, standards, and guidelines for strategy development and planning (L6)
  • Identifies stakeholder communication and relationship needs, translating strategies into activities (L5)
  • Plans and manages business situation analysis with ambiguity and complexity (L5)
  • Provides guidance on physical, procedural, and technical security controls (L4)
  • Analyzes threat intelligence from various sources (L4)
  • Ability to write & maintain corporate guidance/policies
  • Experience managing line of business systems such as Finance, HR, or Operational delivery
  • Experience working with Records Management teams for compliance
  • Knowledge of the Government’s Digital strategies and codes of practice
  • Understanding of industry-standard security issues, ISO27001 advantageous
  • Understanding of Data Protection law and regulations
  • Experience implementing demand management analysis and planning activities (L5)

We will assess you against these behaviours during the selection process.

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Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7 employer: Manchester Digital

The Planning Inspectorate is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and supportive work environment where you can truly make a difference in shaping digital and data services that impact communities across England and Wales. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a culture of innovation, we empower our team members to thrive while driving meaningful change in public service. Join us at our Bristol location, where you will be part of a transformative journey with significant investment in technology and people, ensuring your contributions are valued and impactful.
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Contact Detail:

Manchester Digital Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the Planning Inspectorate's current digital and data strategies. Understanding their goals and challenges will help you articulate how your skills can contribute to their transformation during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the digital and data sectors, especially those who have experience in public service. Engaging with them can provide insights into the role and may lead to valuable connections within the Planning Inspectorate.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement and product management. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven product strategies in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay updated on emerging technologies and trends in digital services. Being knowledgeable about innovative solutions can set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement in the field.

We think you need these skills to ace Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7

Strategic Leadership
Digital Product Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Governance Framework Implementation
Service Design and Delivery
Continuous Improvement Methodologies
Financial and Resource Planning
Cross-Functional Team Coordination
Communication Skills
Data Analysis
Understanding of Digital Strategies
Knowledge of Data Protection Laws
Experience with Line of Business Systems
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability to Change

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before you start writing your application, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Digital & Data Product Lead position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the key activities mentioned in the job description.

Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your relevant experience in digital services, product management, and stakeholder engagement. Use specific examples to demonstrate your achievements and how they relate to the role at the Planning Inspectorate.

Write a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation. Highlight your strategic leadership skills and provide examples of how you've driven innovation and improvement in previous roles. Make sure to address how you can contribute to the Planning Inspectorate's goals.

Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, take the time to proofread and edit your documents. Check for any spelling or grammatical errors, and ensure that your writing is clear and concise. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital

✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities

Make sure you thoroughly understand the key responsibilities of the Digital & Data Product Lead role. Familiarise yourself with the Planning Inspectorate's mission and how this position contributes to their digital transformation efforts.

✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions

Given the emphasis on stakeholder engagement in the job description, be ready to discuss your experience in managing relationships and gathering feedback. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to align products with user needs and business objectives.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

The role requires a strategic leader, so be prepared to discuss your approach to shaping product strategy. Think about how you can demonstrate your ability to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within digital services.

✨Highlight Your Experience with Continuous Improvement

Since continuous improvement is a key aspect of the role, come prepared with examples of how you've previously identified and implemented enhancements in processes or services. This will show your proactive mindset and commitment to fostering a culture of innovation.

Digital & Data Product Lead - Planning Inspectorate - G7
Manchester Digital

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