At a Glance
- Tasks: Transform business needs into clear plans for our global website's software development.
- Company: Join Pan Macmillan, a leading publishing company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and discounts on books.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a vibrant team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by connecting authors and readers worldwide through digital innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
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. You will help 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 that is responsible for the software and digital systems of our global publishing business. In this role, you will work closely with our Head of Content (in Digital Marketing), an external development agency, and our QA (Quality Assurance) testing team. You will also work with our local website managers in India and South Africa. We work together to solve technical challenges and improve our customer experience.
Reporting to the Technology Director, you will be the main Product Owner for our global website platform. You will manage the product backlog and the development pipeline. You will translate business requests into clear, detailed instructions for our software developers. By guiding the weekly work of our agency, you will make sure our websites remain updated, fully functional and support our global teams.
Your key responsibilities:
- Create, organize and update the web product backlog. Turn business ideas into clear user stories and development tickets with specific completion criteria.
- Work as the main daily contact for our external development agency and offshore testing team to keep project timelines on track.
- Work with UK business teams and international website managers in India and South Africa to ensure their local requirements are included in development plans.
- Work with the Head of Content to update the website roadmap, manage timeline risks and organize releases.
- Manage our 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.
- Write and share simple, clear updates about new website features and changes for both technical and non-technical staff.
- Support teams that do not have the necessary experience or access to create well-formed content, landing pages or other assets.
- Stay up to date with evolving digital standards and industry trends, assessing their potential business impact and prioritising relevant updates as needed.
- Provide support for tools such as Docusign, Buffer and Zapier. Managing access and troubleshooting issues.
Essential experience, abilities, knowledge and values you’ll need to succeed:
- Practical experience working as a Product Owner or in a digital project management role, using Agile frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to explain technical ideas to non-technical people, and business requirements to software developers.
- Experience working directly with external software development agencies or technology vendors to deliver digital projects.
- A structured approach to managing many different requests from multiple departments and international teams at the same time.
- 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.
- Experience co-ordinating software testing processes, logging bugs and reviewing software updates before they are published.
- An understanding of how AI intersects with the web, including challenges, benefits and how websites need to adapt.
- An active dedication to promoting diverse voices and inclusive practices, taking personal responsibility for ensuring our workplace and publishing reflect the communities we serve.
- A collaborative approach to building a supportive and vibrant environment.
- A strong drive for learning and a readiness to embrace different perspectives.
- A foundation of openness and honesty, taking responsibility for actions and learning from mistakes.
Desirable skills we’d love you to have:
- Previous experience working on websites that serve multiple countries, or managing multi-site CMS.
- Familiarity with using Google Analytics or Google Tag Manager to view website data and understand user behavior.
- Basic knowledge of book publishing metadata systems and data standards, such as ONIX or BIC.
What you’ll get in return:
In return we can offer you a range of great projects, a supportive and collaborative working environment as well as a competitive salary and benefits package.
Salary: £55,000 - 65,000
Note on salary: The offered salary is dependent on experience and expertise. We benchmark our ranges to ensure fair, competitive compensation that grows with your impact.
Closing date: 5 July 2027
This is a full-time, 12 month fixed-term role, and will be based in our offices in Farringdon, London, with some flexibility to work from home each week.
Some of the benefits we offer:
- 28 days’ annual leave increasing with years of service + 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 a Friday during 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
How to apply & eligibility:
Our process: All applications must be submitted via our careers site to be considered. We are unable to accept CVs or applications sent via email.
Our timelines: Because we review every application thoroughly and with care, our shortlisting process can take some time. We appreciate your patience and will be in touch as soon as we have an update on your application.
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.
Our commitment to 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 are dedicated to building a workplace that is as diverse and welcoming as the stories we tell, ensuring all perspectives are celebrated across everything we do.
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.
Disability confident scheme:
As a Disability Confident employer, we actively encourage applications from disabled candidates and people with long-term health conditions, aiming to offer an interview to everyone who meets the essential criteria for the role and chooses to apply under the scheme.
Please remember that you are never required to disclose a disability to us, and you only need to share what you feel comfortable with.
Adjustment & support:
We want to ensure that all candidates are supported throughout the recruitment process. If you have any reasonable adjustments or accessibility requirements, please contact Kayelle Danyluk (Head of Talent Acquisition) at kayelle.danyluk@macmillan.com.
Privacy notice:
All personal information which we process in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our Recruitment Privacy Notice.
Web Product Owner employer: Pan Macmillan
Macmillan Children’s Books is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional growth. With generous benefits such as flexible working hours, extensive leave, and a commitment to diversity, employees are empowered to thrive in their roles while contributing to the success of beloved children's literature. Located in Farringdon, London, the company provides a dynamic environment where creativity flourishes and team members can make a meaningful impact on global storytelling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Web Product Owner
✨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
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.
