At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and manage transformation programmes in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking public sector client focused on large-scale transformation.
- Benefits: 12-month contract with potential extension, competitive pay, and impactful work.
- Other info: Collaborative role with opportunities for professional growth and influence.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by driving clarity and accountability in complex projects.
- Qualifications: 6+ years as a Product Owner with strong GDS experience and Agile expertise.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are supporting a public sector client in hiring a Senior Product Owner to operate at the intersection of strategy, governance, transformation, delivery and stakeholder engagement across a large-scale transformation programme. This role extends significantly beyond a traditional Product Owner position. The successful candidate will be expected to think strategically, challenge ambiguity, drive clarity and hold senior stakeholders to account, while maintaining strong delivery discipline and backlog health across complex, multi-team Agile environments. GDS experience is a pivotal requirement for this role. This role suits a confident, outcome-focused Product Owner with a strong public sector background, the gravitas to challenge upwards and the delivery rigour to keep complex programmes on track. Candidates who focus on outcomes over activity and build credibility quickly across both technical and non-technical audiences are particularly encouraged to apply.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and govern the product backlog across a large-scale transformation programme, managing prioritisation, dependency mapping and epic-to-feature-to-story decomposition.
- Translate strategic objectives into executable delivery plans, linking backlog items directly to outcomes and tracking benefits realisation throughout the programme lifecycle.
- Maintain strong backlog health across readiness, refinement and flow, working closely with Business Analysts to ensure a continuous pipeline of well-defined, ready work.
- Support Programme Boards, Change Authorities and senior governance forums, producing executive-level delivery packs, RAID updates and status reporting.
- Define acceptance criteria, success measures and evidence requirements, challenging ambiguous requirements and driving clarity across delivery and business teams.
- Facilitate workshops and stakeholder discovery sessions, operating effectively across large, federated organisations and managing conflict resolution where required.
- Work alongside Change Managers and adoption teams to support operating model implementation and define success measures beyond delivery outputs.
- Engage and constructively challenge senior technical stakeholders, architects and engineering leadership, influencing without direct authority.
Experience Required
- 6 to 8 or more years of Product Owner or Product Manager experience, with a proven track record in large-scale transformation programmes.
- Strong GDS experience, including familiarity with GDS service standards and delivery within or alongside GDS-aligned frameworks.
- Demonstrable experience translating strategic objectives into backlog items and delivery plans, with a clear focus on outcomes and benefits realisation.
- Strong Agile delivery background across complex, multi-team environments with hands-on experience of backlog governance, prioritisation and dependency management.
- Experience supporting senior governance forums, producing executive-level reporting and managing RAID and escalation processes.
- Strong business analysis and requirements leadership capability, including facilitating discovery workshops and defining acceptance criteria and success measures.
- Proven ability to challenge senior stakeholders constructively, drive accountability and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
- Proficient in Jira and Azure DevOps.
- Experience working within operating model transformation or organisation-wide change initiatives, not purely software delivery.
- Direct experience within the Home Office, central government or a GDS-aligned delivery environment.
- Experience navigating leadership transitions and organisational change within large, complex programmes.
- Background working with Change Managers and adoption teams on behavioural and organisational change.
- Familiarity with complex operational and engineering environments within large enterprise or government settings.
Senior Product Owner (SC Cleared) in London employer: Montash
As a Senior Product Owner with our public sector client, you will thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that prioritises strategic thinking and stakeholder engagement. Our culture fosters collaboration and innovation, offering ample opportunities for professional growth while working on impactful transformation programmes. With a focus on outcomes and a commitment to excellence, this role provides a unique chance to make a meaningful difference in the public sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Product Owner (SC Cleared) in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Montash. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Montash.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Montash.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Product Owner (SC Cleared) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Montash and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Montash
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Montash will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Montash.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Montash.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Montash. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
