Lead Digital Products Manager

Please attach your CV and a supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

About Us

Newham is a place that is full of potential and brimming with energy and talent. Proud to be one of the youngest and most diverse boroughs anywhere in the UK, 72% of our residents are from ethnically diverse communities, speaking over 220 languages and our population of 351,000 is growing at a rate of 14%, the third highest rate of growth in London. In recent years we have seen unparalleled levels of investment, growth, and interest in our Borough, but for all our successes, Covid-19 laid bare the endemic inequality that exists in our borough and how now, the Cost of Living crisis is exacerbating that. That’s why we are working towards Building a Fairer Newham, focused on economic security, health, equality and the environment.

About The Role

You will be working within the Digital Service at Newham and your role will drive the development and continuous improvement of resident facing digital services across Newham Council. This role is central to delivering high-quality, user-centred digital products that meet the needs of our residents, businesses and staff. You will be empowered to lead on all internal capability and external partnerships for the Council to design effective improvements to its digital services, as well as, lead and matrix manage digital service design project teams and external supplier teams (developers). The position will bring together exciting elements of services across the organisation to re‑imagine how our digital products can be delivered and designed using modern innovative tools and platforms. Working in partnership across the council to deliver and embed the digital products needed to ensure our services are effective and efficient, this role will be the leading expert we look to for subject matter expertise to own, deliver and our digital products.

About You

This role will own the product strategy and roadmap for platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and Jadu CMS, leading and coaching multidisciplinary teams through the full product lifecycle while embedding agile and lean practices to drive continuous improvement and innovation. You are an experienced digital product leader with a proven track record of managing complex platforms and delivering user-centred services. You bring extensive, hands‑on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 CRM and web content management systems, ideally Jadu or similar platforms, and can confidently shape and evolve product strategies for these technologies. Your expertise spans discovery, delivery and iteration, and you are adept at balancing user needs, organisational priorities and technical constraints. You have a deep understanding of modern technology, including cloud platforms, software architecture and agile delivery methods, combined with strong knowledge of user‑centred and service design principles. Skilled in stakeholder engagement and data‑driven decision‑making, you define and measure success through clear objectives and metrics. As a collaborative leader, you coach and mentor multidisciplinary teams, champion agile and lean practices, and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Familiarity with the cross‑government DDaT framework and a commitment to inclusive, accessible design are essential. You will champion the use of user insights to inform strategic decisions, advocate for inclusive design and ensure products deliver measurable value. With a strong focus on value for money, you will balance user needs with organisational goals, helping teams make informed, outcome‑driven decisions. You will lead a team of product managers, providing support, training and coaching, and act as a visible member of the Digital and wider DDaT team. Building strong relationships across services, you will ensure products meet user needs and are continuously improved. Excellent communication, interpersonal and analytical skills are essential, including the ability to present persuasively to colleagues, partners and senior stakeholders. You will demonstrate a strong and proven understanding of digital technologies and how these can provide tangible benefits to residents and communities, alongside leadership and interpersonal skills in mentoring, coaching, collaborating and motivating teams.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements including offices in Dockside and working from home.
• Generous pension allowance (with employer contributions of up to 8%).
• Access to Newham Rewards employee benefits scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Eye test and Flu vouchers.

To apply, please contact Rhiannon Lawson, Head of Service Design and Digital Experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.

Closing date: 27th January 2026

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti‑racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us. The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.