At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the vision and strategy for digital services, driving growth and innovation.
- Company: Join Ordnance Survey, a leader in geospatial data and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital services and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in digital product management and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 81000 - 99000 £ per year.
Full Time | Salary c£90k (depending on experience)
OS Headquarters Southampton | Hybrid working (4 days in office)
Who we are
We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain's national mapping service and a global leader in geospatial data and technology. For over 230 years, our data has helped governments, businesses and communities make better decisions about the world around them.
The Opportunity
We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Services to join us in a pivotal leadership role - at the heart of Ordnance Survey's digital transformation. As Head of Services, reporting to the Chief Product Officer, you will define and lead the vision, product strategy and delivery of a portfolio of digital services across our Government, Business and Consumer markets.
You will operate at the intersection of Product, Technology, Data and Customer functions, ensuring a cohesive and aligned portfolio that delivers real value today while positioning OS to capitalise on future market opportunities. This is a unique opportunity to shape how OS delivers services at scale, influence strategic direction, and play a key role in driving growth across sectors. You’ll also build and leverage strong internal and external networks - including industry and government stakeholders - to ensure our services remain relevant, competitive and impactful.
What You'll Do
- Define and lead the vision and strategy for OS's digital services portfolio, using market insight, customer needs and expert input to drive business outcomes.
- Own and shape a cohesive, prioritised portfolio roadmap for our services, aligning with Customer, Data and Technology strategies and capabilities.
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships across Product, Technology, Data and Customer teams to deliver shared outcomes.
- Lead multi-year strategic planning across the portfolio, ensuring investments are aligned, prioritised and deliver maximum value.
- Take accountability for portfolio performance, ensuring delivery against business success measures and acting as an escalation point to resolve challenges.
- Remove delivery barriers and drive pace across a complex, cross-functional environment.
- Build, lead and develop a high-performing product team, growing capability in digital product strategy, product management and service delivery with deep commercial and economic rigor.
- Drive a culture of continuous service improvement, unlocking value through innovation, better data and enhanced customer experiences.
- Engage and influence senior stakeholders internally and externally, building credibility and insight to support long-term growth.
- Communicate strategy and direction clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leaders, partners and policy stakeholders.
About You
You are a strategic and commercially minded leader with a strong track record of managing complex digital product or service portfolios. You combine big-picture thinking with the ability to drive delivery and outcomes at pace.
You will bring:
- Significant experience in senior leadership roles within digital product, service or portfolio management environments, across at least two of B2B, B2G & B2C environments.
- Strong experience in analysing and understanding market needs - with a natural empathy for customers, their contexts and their challenges that leads to valuable strategic insight.
- Proven ability to define and deliver digital service portfolio strategies that drive measurable business value.
- Strong commercial acumen, with experience owning performance, prioritisation and investment decisions.
- Deep experience of working cross-functionally across Product, Technology, Data and Customer teams, creating alignment and momentum across multiple disciplines around a shared outcome.
- The ability to lead and influence at senior levels, building trusted relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience leading and developing high-performing teams, building capability and empowering others to succeed.
- A disciplined, outcome-focused approach, with the ability to make effective trade-offs in complex environments.
- An understanding of the issues and practices associated with data licensing.
As an OS Leader
Operating principally at the 'Leading the Organisation' level in the OS Leadership Framework, you will lead through Engage, Grow and Deliver - creating the clarity, capability and environment that enable your people and teams to succeed, and:
- Engage - create clarity and alignment through a compelling narrative, build trusted relationships and foster a connected, inclusive environment.
- Grow - strengthen capability and ways of working, enabling sustainable performance and leading change across the system.
- Deliver - drive strategic outcomes with clear accountability, pace and continuous improvement.
Our Principles
At OS, how we work matters just as much as what we deliver. Throughout our hiring process we will assess competence.
Head of Services in Southampton employer: ordnancesurvey
At Ordnance Survey, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Located in Southampton, our hybrid working model allows for a balanced approach to work-life integration, while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will have ample opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career. Join us in shaping the future of geospatial data and technology, where your contributions will make a meaningful impact across various sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Services in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Head of Services at ordnancesurvey!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like ordnancesurvey or be willing to refer you for that Head of Services position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from ordnancesurvey who’s on the lookout for their next Head of Services star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Head of Services role at ordnancesurvey!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Services in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at ordnancesurvey. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ordnancesurvey
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at ordnancesurvey. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
