Digital Product Owner in Cheltenham

Department: Digital

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: London or Cheltenham

Reporting To: Head of Product Management

Description: Product Owner; to manage, oversee and lead the development of Digital Services including Intelligent Risk Capture (IRC), developing deployment best practice, optimising the use of Otera and platform technologies and developing new functionality. This role is vital in the successful scaled deployment of IRC to our existing and new customer base; transitioning the operation onto Digital Services in a sustainable fashion.

Accountable for the definition and maintenance of product standards and optionality. Responsible for defining the standard technical specifications, the operational process supporting it, the development of client‑customised functionality and the technical options available to clients. Works with the Heads of Delivery, Product Ownership and Technical Lead to develop Digital Services in line with customer requirements and internal change processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Product definition: Owns and manages the definition of Intelligent Risk Capture as it is to be sold to the market. Defines the product options available to new and existing customers and technical implications of each. Accountable for signing off the product specification offered to new and existing customers.
• Product development: Own and maintain the product backlog (initially for IRC) – ensuring there remains a healthy number of refined, estimated, and prioritised stories that meet the definition of ready. Primary liaison between business stakeholders and delivery teams, bridging the gap between business requirements and technical delivery. Enables the delivery team through the entire SDLC – refinement, development, testing, release, and feedback.
• Operational engagement and continuous improvement: Defines and communicates the product vision, objectives, and roadmap to the broader business. Participates and contributes to agile ceremonies (planning, refinement, review, retro, and standup as required) with a view of improving them and enabling the team. Monitors product performance and implements feedback loops to drive continuous product improvement through data‑driven analysis.
• Standardisation of product collateral & IP: Owns all supporting technical IP for Digital Services, including access to the test environment and test instances, all prototype development, general and specific data schemas per client, transformation rules, testing best practice and / or other technical design documentation.
• Service deployment support: Supports the Digital Delivery Lead in deploying Digital Services to new and existing clients, including customising the product to meet client requirements, working with implementation partners. Includes working with Head of Product Management to improve and embed change management, product support and other supporting processes.

Values and Communication

• Foster an inclusive, collaborative and pioneering workplace that values diversity and continuous growth.
• Encourage open communication, mutual respect, and a strong sense of belonging.
• Recognise achievements and address team concerns to maintain a supportive and positive workplace, with emphasis on colleague well‑being.

Communication and Collaboration

• Bridge communication between senior management and the team.
• Foster collaboration, resolve conflicts, and conduct regular, effective team meetings.
• Facilitate change through personal commitment and support of organisational initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Product owner / product manager experience (qualifications helpful but not necessary)
• Comfortable discussing technology / architecture including data structures, integrations, AI, automation, RPA
• Agile delivery teams and ceremonies (qualifications helpful but not necessary)
• Agile software (Azure DevOps, Jira, other backlog management tools)
• Experience prioritising competing demands and making decisions based on business value, risk, and strategic objectives
• Insurance experience useful
• Low‑code experience (Appian, Pega, etc.) useful
• AI literate, can utilise AI tools to increase productivity e.g. copilot, meeting summary, etc.
• Project Management: Skilled in agile development, backlog grooming, sprint planning, and use of tools such as Jira, Confluence, or Aha!

Demonstrates behaviours aligned to the PoloWorks PRIDE values:

• Pioneering – we don’t stand still
• Responsible – We do the right thing
• Inclusive – we all play a role
• Delivery Focused – we provide services we are proud of
• Empowering – we equip people to be their best

Knowledge & Qualifications

• 5+ years of product management experience, ideally with 2+ years in AI/ML, automation, or data‑driven product development.
• Strong understanding of commercial insurance products, operations, and customer workflows.
• Proven experience delivering successful digital/AI products in complex, regulated environments.
• Familiarity with technologies such as RPA (UiPath, Automation Anywhere), machine learning platforms (AWS SageMaker, Azure ML, etc.), and natural language processing.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to bridge technical and non‑technical audiences, with a strong focus on business outcomes.

Benefits

As well as a competitive salary, discretionary annual bonus, and a minimum 26 days of annual leave (with the option to buy more), you will also get an excellent benefits package, including flexible, hybrid working, private health insurance, life assurance, income protection, enhanced pension contributions, and occupational maternity and paternity pay. You will also have access to company volunteering days, an Electric Vehicle (EV) leasing scheme, an employee assistance programme with retail discounts and savings, a generous employee referral scheme, regular sports and social events, and free Cheltenham bus travel.