At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform business ideas into actionable plans for our international website.
- Company: Join Pan Macmillan, a leading publisher with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous leave.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusion and community.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a global platform connecting authors and readers.
- Qualifications: Experience in Agile product management and clear communication skills required.
Are you a collaborative digital professional who enjoys turning business requirements into clear plans for software development? We are looking for a Web Product Owner to look after Pan Macmillan's international website. In this role you will work closely with technology, marketing and publishing teams to build and improve a digital platform that connects our authors, stories, and readers around the world, showcasing our books across all formats, including print, digital and audio. You will join our technology team based in London. We are a supportive and collaborative group responsible for the software and digital systems of our global publishing business.
Key Responsibilities
- Backlog and sprint management – create, organise and update the web product backlog; turn business ideas into clear user stories and development tickets with specific completion criteria.
- Agency and QA collaboration – act as the main daily contact for our external development agency and offshore testing team to keep project timelines on track.
- International stakeholder coordination – work with UK business teams and international website managers in India and South Africa to ensure local requirements are included in development plans.
- Roadmap planning – collaborate with the Head of Content to update the website roadmap, manage timeline risks and organise releases.
- Problem triage and testing – manage the process for fixing bugs and errors on the website; balance urgent fixes with new feature development and verify that new updates work correctly before they go live.
- Clear updates and communication – write and share simple, clear updates about new website features and changes for technical and non‑technical staff.
- Content updates – support teams that lack experience or access to create well‑formed content, landing pages or other assets.
- Industry standards and emerging trends – stay up to date with evolving digital standards and industry trends, assess potential business impact and prioritise relevant updates as needed.
- Support for business tools – provide support for tools such as Docusign, Buffer and Zapier; manage access and troubleshoot issues.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At Pan Macmillan, we are committed to publishing a wide range of voices that reflect the full breadth of the communities we serve. Joining us means playing an active role in bringing our titles to life as part of a team that champions inclusion at every level. We welcome applications from all individuals, including any age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, socio‑economic background, religion and/or belief. Our efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are ongoing, and we continually strive to learn and improve. We are a Disability Confident employer, encouraging applications from disabled candidates and people with long‑term health conditions.
Right to work – all applicants must be able to demonstrate the right to live and work in the UK in order to be considered for this role.
Essential Experience, Abilities, Knowledge and Values
- Agile product management – practical experience working as a Product Owner or in a digital project management role, using Agile frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban.
- Clear technical communication – effective written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to explain technical ideas to non‑technical people and business requirements to software developers.
- Agency and vendor coordination – experience working directly with external software development agencies or technology vendors to deliver digital projects.
- Prioritisation and organisation – a structured approach to managing many different requests from multiple departments and international teams at the same time.
- Web technology foundational knowledge – a clear understanding of how websites, Content Management Systems (CMS) and user interfaces work, allowing you to discuss technical issues confidently (experience of headless architecture is a plus).
- Testing and quality assurance – experience coordinating software testing processes, logging bugs and reviewing software updates before they are published.
- AI – an understanding of how AI intersects with the web, including challenges, benefits and how websites need to adapt.
- Inclusion and representation – an active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
- Community – a collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
- Curiosity – a strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
- Integrity – a foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.
Desirable Skills
- International platform management – previous experience working on websites that serve multiple countries or managing multi‑site CMS.
- Web analytics tools – familiarity with using Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager to view website data and understand user behaviour.
- Publishing data standards – basic knowledge of book publishing metadata systems and data standards such as ONIX or BIC.
Salary and Benefits
Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 (dependent on experience and expertise, benchmarked to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact).
Position: Full‑time, 12‑month fixed‑term role, based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
- 28 days annual leave, increasing with years of service, plus bank holidays.
- Generous pension scheme.
- Discounted private medical insurance or health cash plan.
- Group income protection scheme.
- Enhanced family pay and leave.
- Flexible working hours and summer hours (early finish on Fridays in summer months).
- 2 volunteer days per year.
- 75% off all Pan Macmillan books and regular staff book sales (highly reduced rates).
- Season ticket loan/advance.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Discounts on shopping and gym memberships; Christmas club savings.
- Daily free breakfast and monthly company lunch.
Web Product Owner in City of Westminster employer: Pan Macmillan
At Pan Macmillan, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and collaborative employer that values diversity and inclusion. As a Web Product Owner in our London office, you will enjoy a flexible work environment, competitive salary, and generous benefits, including 28 days of annual leave and discounts on our extensive range of books. We are committed to your professional growth, offering opportunities to work with international teams and stay at the forefront of digital trends in publishing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Web Product Owner in City of Westminster
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Pan Macmillan!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Pan Macmillan would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Pan Macmillan through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Web Product Owner in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Web Product Owner, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Web Product Owner position at Pan Macmillan. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pan Macmillan
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
