At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product vision for innovative student conversion solutions using AI and emerging tech.
- Company: Dynamic company focused on transforming university admissions and student recruitment.
- Benefits: Generous leave, wellness initiatives, professional growth opportunities, and a vibrant multicultural environment.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with strong recognition programs and access to extensive learning resources.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working flexibly and leading cutting-edge projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management, agile delivery, and a passion for helping international students.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This position offers a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility between working from home and our office. Typically, employees are expected to work 2 days in the office per week.
A new role in an established business where we work on behalf of universities admitting, converting and enrolling ambitious international and domestic students. We're investing in AI and emerging tech to future‑proof how we help universities find, enrol and convert more students at scale and we need an experienced product manager to lead the product vision behind it.
The opportunity
- Own the product vision and roadmap for QS University Services' student conversion solutions.
- As we roll out a new tech stack this year, you'll be the dedicated product leader defining and refining what we build, how it scales, and how AI and automation deliver better outcomes for students, our university partners, and the business.
Role responsibilities
- Set and evolve the product vision across conversion, admissions and digital outreach.
- Lead continuous discovery: research, hypotheses, MVPs, experimentation.
- Own a prioritised, evidence‑based roadmap; balance quick wins with long‑term capability.
- Embed AI and automation to drive student conversion at global scale.
- Partner with engineering, data, marketing and client delivery to ship and iterate.
- Define success metrics and let the data guide what comes next.
- Manage a small team.
Key skills and experience
- Product management experience in a tech‑enabled services or platform environment.
- Track record owning roadmaps end‑to‑end—discovery through delivery.
- Agile delivery experience working hands‑on with engineering teams.
- Strong stakeholder management in cross‑functional, matrixed organisations.
- A data‑led approach to decisions and trade‑offs.
- Passionate about helping international students – our end users and most important stakeholders.
Bonus
- Higher education, student recruitment or admissions background.
- Understanding of HubSpot.
- Conversion optimisation or funnel management.
- Experience launching or transforming a major tech stack.
Benefits
- Access to an annual bonus scheme (for qualifying roles only).
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after 5 years.
- Access to a Buy Holiday scheme allowing you to buy up to 5 additional holiday days per year.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
- Generous pension through Royal London.
- Comprehensive private medical insurance and wellness scheme through Vitality.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- A vibrant social environment and multicultural and multinational culture.
- Additional professional growth and wellness initiatives.
- Free subscription to the Calm App – the #1 app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation.
- A focus on welfare which is led by our global wellness team, with mental health first aiders globally.
- Access to a variety of diversity and inclusion initiatives and groups.
- Strong recognition and reward programs – including a peer‑to‑peer recognition platform, quarterly and annual QS Applaud Awards, Connect with your Career annual PD event.
- Support for volunteering and study leave.
- Free subscription to LinkedIn learning – with over 5000 courses and programmes at your fingertips.
- Options to join our outstanding global Mentorship programme.
Equal opportunities
QS Quacquarelli Symonds is proud to be a fair and equal organisation where everyone has the same opportunity to achieve their full potential, irrespective of their background or personal attributes. We celebrate our diversity and believe through sharing our experiences we can learn from one another, be stronger together, and enable our business to thrive.
Lead Product Manager employer: QS Quacquarelli Symonds
At QS Quacquarelli Symonds, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Lead Data Analyst, you will not only have the opportunity to shape the future of higher education rankings but also benefit from continuous professional development and mentorship. Our commitment to employee growth, combined with our dynamic location, makes us a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in data analysis.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Manager
✨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 QS Quacquarelli Symonds!
✨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 QS Quacquarelli Symonds 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 QS Quacquarelli Symonds through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Lead Product Manager, 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 Lead Product Manager position at QS Quacquarelli Symonds. 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 QS Quacquarelli Symonds
✨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.
