At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of B2B gaming services into innovative automation-led products.
- Company: Join Keywords Studios, a leader in digital product innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive contract with potential for permanent role and impactful work.
- Other info: Collaborate across time zones with diverse teams for creative solutions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of gaming technology and drive significant productivity gains.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in global digital transformations and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Core Objective: Define where and how KWS should build automation-led QA products for B2B gaming customers. Help the business move from services-led delivery to a productised / SaaS-style offering.
Key Characteristics:
- CTPO-level profile (senior, credible, board-facing).
- Strong Product Management fundamentals.
- Deep QA / testing / automation background.
- Ideally from a gaming or interactive entertainment environment.
- Clear understanding of B2B customers (selling into studios, publishers, enterprise clients).
Stakeholder Exposure:
- Presenting directly to: Board EQT (PE sponsor).
- Working closely with: CEO, Group Transformation Officer, CDO (particularly on pitches).
Delivery Reality: High political complexity internally. Business does not yet know where to build (tech, geography, ownership). Contractor required initially to:
- Stay neutral.
- Cut through politics.
- Shape strategy without long-term internal bias.
Contract Structure: 6-month contract, strong likelihood of extension / contract-to-perm. Budget exists but sits within 2026 planning.
Geography & Operating Model Challenges: Distributed engineering teams in Melbourne, Australia; Montreal, Canada; UK. Key friction points include Melbourne team resistant to late-night calls (e.g. 9pm local) while Montreal + UK teams operate on more traditional overlap hours. One of the Product Leader’s challenges will be to link Australian and Montreal engineers and establish workable collaboration models without forcing unsustainable hours.
Commercial & Cultural Considerations: Selling technology-led services into creative organisations both internally (within Keywords studios) and externally (B2B customers). Requires someone comfortable operating between engineers, creative teams, and senior commercial stakeholders. Must translate technical automation value into commercial and creative outcomes.
Strategic Context: Keywords Studios is transitioning from a traditional B2B service provider to an AI-first Digital Products leader. The AuQA initiative (Mighty TestBot & TestBuddy) is the spearhead of this transformation. This role is tasked with delivering a 20% productivity uplift across our 13,000-strong specialist base, moving the needle from 'selling hours' to 'selling outcomes.'
The Mandate:
- Operational Excellence: Realize a $13M-$14M productivity impact by integrating Autonomous QA tools into the Globalize division’s core workflow.
- Commercial Evolution: Pivot the business from Time & Materials (T&M) to Outcome-Based Pricing (e.g., cost per automated test suite, cost per bug-free build).
- Global Orchestration: Manage the 'Golden Triangle' of stakeholders: Melbourne (Engineering), Montreal (Pilot Ops), and UK/US (Strategic Clients).
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
- Productivity Target: Evidence of a 20% reduction in manual effort for automated tasks within 12 months.
- Commercial Conversion: Secure at least three 'Platinum' client partnerships for the AuQA productized offering.
- Roadmap Velocity: Successful transition of 'Mighty' tools from internal prototypes to market-ready SaaS-lite products.
Candidate Requirements:
- Zero Learning Curve: Must have led similar global digital transformations in B2B service or gaming sectors.
- Communication Mastery: Ability to navigate the 'unsociable hours' required to sync Australia and Canada from a UK base without losing strategic focus.
- Financial Literacy: Deep understanding of how digital efficiency impacts the P&L and the ability to articulate 'Value-Based Pricing' to skeptical clients and internal sales teams.
Key Responsibilities:
- Product Evolution & Market Fit: Transform internal engineering outputs into a client-ready product suite. Partner with 'Platinum' clients to co-develop features that solve real-world AAA development bottlenecks.
- The 20% Productivity Mandate: Define, track, and deliver a robust roadmap specifically designed to extract 20% efficiency gains across the Globalize division.
- Strategic GTM & Pricing: Design and test 'Outcomes-Based' pricing models that protect margins while providing a competitive edge in a consolidating market.
- Global Technical Orchestration: Act as the strategic bridge between our Melbourne-based Engineering team and the Montreal-based Pilot operations.
- Budgetary Stewardship: Manage the initiative against the allocated digital investment budget, prioritizing features that drive the highest ROI and client stickiness.
Candidate Profile:
- Strategic Resilience: Capable of managing a complex global stakeholder map across multiple time zones (AU/CA/UK).
- B2B Product Visionary: Experience in shifting traditional service organizations toward digital product models.
- Outcome-Obsessed: You don’t just deliver features; you deliver measurable productivity and business value.
- Technically Credible: Sufficiently versed in AI/ML and Agentic workflows to challenge engineering timelines and evaluate third-party 'Buy' opportunities.
My Assessment of the Selection Process: Since you've confirmed we are moving to Outcome-Based Pricing, this candidate must be a 'Commercial Product Manager,' not just a 'Technical Product Manager.' They need to be able to talk to a CFO about ROI just as fluently as they talk to a Developer about API integration.
Cpo/Ctpo in London employer: Mentmore
At Keywords Studios, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on transitioning to AI-driven digital products, offering unique opportunities for strategic thinkers to shape the future of B2B gaming solutions. With a collaborative environment that spans across global teams in Melbourne, Montreal, and the UK, we ensure that our employees are not only part of a transformative journey but also enjoy the flexibility and support needed to thrive in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cpo/Ctpo in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the gaming and tech industries. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in product management and automation. Share specific examples of how you've driven productivity and transformed services into products. This will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for those tricky interviews! Prepare to discuss how you would tackle the challenges mentioned in the job description, like linking distributed teams and managing stakeholder expectations. Practise articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as communication is key in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows you're serious about joining us and helps us keep track of all the amazing talent out there. Plus, it gives you a better chance to stand out in the hiring process!
We think you need these skills to ace Cpo/Ctpo in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the role. Highlight your experience in product management, especially in automation and B2B environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our goals at Keywords Studios!
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on what you’ve achieved in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like productivity improvements or successful project deliveries. This helps us see the value you can bring!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We appreciate clarity, so make it easy for us to understand your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mentmore
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the automation-led QA products and how they fit into the B2B gaming landscape. Familiarise yourself with the AuQA initiative and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to its success.
✨Master the Stakeholder Landscape
Understand who you'll be presenting to and their priorities. Prepare to articulate how your experience aligns with the needs of the CEO, Group Transformation Officer, and other key stakeholders. Tailor your examples to show how you've navigated complex political environments in the past.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising between diverse teams across different time zones, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed cross-functional collaboration and resolved conflicts in previous roles.
✨Be Outcome-Obsessed
Highlight your experience in transitioning from service-based models to outcome-based pricing. Be ready to discuss specific metrics you've achieved in terms of productivity gains and how you can apply that knowledge to drive results for Keywords Studios.
