At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic design for a national payments infrastructure transformation.
- Company: Central government programme focused on innovative financial systems.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible working, and impactful project involvement.
- Other info: Complex environment with opportunities to drive significant change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of payments and influence policy at a national level.
- Qualifications: Strong background in product strategy and stakeholder engagement.
The predicted salary is between 46800 - 65000 £ per year.
A senior Product Design Lead is required to support a major national payments infrastructure transformation within a central government environment. This role sits at the front end of a high profile programme focused on shaping the next generation of RTGS capability. You will operate at strategic level, leading discovery and early stage design work that will directly influence policy, technical direction, and long term delivery roadmaps. This is not a delivery role. It is about defining what should be built, why it should exist, and how it should be shaped before it enters build. The environment is complex, heavily stakeholder driven, and sits at the intersection of policy, financial systems, and large scale technology change.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead discovery and high level design for a new RTGS capability
- Translate policy intent, user needs, and external industry insight into clear product direction
- Develop structured outputs including business cases, option analysis, and high level requirements
- Shape roadmap thinking and prioritisation through engagement with senior stakeholders
- Support external engagement activity including consultations and discussion papers
- Ensure concepts are feasible, aligned, and ready for transition into delivery teams
Skills and Experience
- Strong background in product strategy, discovery, or early stage product shaping
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and define strategic direction in complex environments
- Comfort operating with ambiguity and structuring unclear problems into clear, actionable outputs
- Experience working across business, policy, and technology functions
- Payments, financial services, or regulated infrastructure experience highly desirable
What this role really needs
This is not a hands on UX or delivery design position. It requires someone who can operate upstream, challenge assumptions, and turn political, technical, and operational complexity into a coherent product direction. Candidates who only operate at squad level delivery will not be suitable. This role needs someone who is comfortable shaping at system level, not just feature level.
Product Design Lead employer: Meritus Talent
As a Product Design Lead within the Central Government's Payments Infrastructure Programme, you will be part of a dynamic and impactful team dedicated to transforming national payment systems. Our work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, providing you with the opportunity to influence high-level strategic decisions while engaging with senior stakeholders. With a focus on professional growth and development, we offer a unique environment where your expertise in product strategy can thrive, making a meaningful difference in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work in central government or payments infrastructure. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the complexities of the role. Brush up on your knowledge of RTGS capabilities and how they impact policy and technology. We want you to shine when discussing how you can influence strategic direction!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your experience with ambiguity. In your conversations, share examples of how you've turned unclear problems into actionable outputs. This will demonstrate your ability to operate at a strategic level, which is key for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Design Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in product strategy and early stage design. We want to see how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since this role involves influencing senior stakeholders, include examples of how you've successfully navigated complex environments. We love seeing how you’ve turned ambiguity into clear, actionable outputs!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas effectively. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can shape product direction, not just deliver features.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in shaping the future of payments infrastructure.
How to prepare for a job interview at Meritus Talent
✨Understand the Strategic Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the strategic goals of the payments infrastructure programme. Familiarise yourself with how product design can influence policy and technical direction. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their vision.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex environments and how you translated user needs into actionable outputs. This is crucial for a role that requires high-level engagement.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
Be ready to discuss how you've tackled ambiguity in past projects. Share specific instances where you structured unclear problems into clear, actionable outputs. This will show that you're comfortable operating upstream and can handle the complexities of the role.
✨Highlight Your Product Strategy Experience
Make sure to emphasise your background in product strategy and early-stage product shaping. Discuss how you've led discovery phases and developed structured outputs like business cases and option analyses. This will demonstrate your fit for a role focused on defining what should be built.
