At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product development and delivery for a dynamic digital portfolio at Saïd Business School.
- Company: Join the innovative team at Saïd Business School, part of Oxford University.
- Benefits: Enjoy 38 days holiday, hybrid working, and generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital transformation in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and project management experience in digital product development.
The predicted salary is between 65336 - 65336 £ per year.
Grade 9: £56,623 -£65,336 per annum including the Oxford University weighting of £1,730 per annum
Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week)
The Associate Director of Product Development and Delivery is a senior leadership role within the School’s Digital and Information Services (D&IS) Department, responsible for supporting the strategic development and delivery of the School’s digital and technology portfolio. As a key member of the D&IS Senior Management Team, the postholder will provide hands‑on leadership and support to the Product Development and Delivery Team, which manages approximately 300 products and applications, including business‑critical platforms such as Salesforce, Microsoft 365, Canvas, Eduframe and Tableau.
Working closely with the Chief Digital and Information Officer (CDIO), the role will lead and coordinate the School’s Investment Review Board IT and Digital Development agenda, overseeing a dynamic portfolio of approximately 30 projects with an annual budget of around £1 million and ensuring investment is aligned with the School’s strategic priorities, resources and future business needs. The postholder will work collaboratively with Product Owners and stakeholders across the School to develop and prioritise product roadmaps, assess and scope new development requirements, manage resources and budgets, and identify technology‑enabled business opportunities. The role will also drive greater consistency and maturity in product management practices, including testing, release management and development standards, ensuring product roadmaps support the School’s platform‑first approach and wider digital strategy.
Success in the role will require strong strategic and operational leadership, excellent stakeholder management and the ability to manage competing priorities within a continually evolving digital environment while fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities:
- Work closely with Product Owners to develop and deliver strategic product roadmaps, consolidate applications onto core platforms and ensure effective support, maintenance, adoption and benefits realisation throughout the product lifecycle.
- Lead, manage and develop the Product Development and Delivery Team, prioritising resources and overseeing project management, business analysis, UX and external delivery partners to ensure effective and high-quality service delivery.
- Manage and deliver the annual Investment Review Board IT and Digital Development portfolio of approximately 30 projects and a £1m budget, ensuring projects are appropriately prioritised, governed and delivered to agreed scope, quality, timescales and budgets.
- Establish and maintain best-practice approaches to product development and project delivery, including Agile methodologies, testing, release management, governance, documentation, risk management and transition into business-as-usual operations.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, business units, the CDIO and external suppliers, effectively managing project demand, budgets, risks, resources and third-party contracts while promoting engagement, ownership and continuous improvement.
You must have the Right to Work within the UK as this position may not amount to enough points under the points-based immigration system in the UK.
At Saïd Business School we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Join us to build a brighter, more equitable future, where we celebrate diversity, advance equity, and nurture inclusion across everything we do.
We offer very generous benefits, some of which are:
- Generous holiday allowance of 38 days including bank holidays
- Hybrid working
- Membership of the Oxford staff pension scheme
- Discounted bus travel
- Subsidised onsite catering
- Cycle loan scheme
- Plus, many other University benefits
Associate Director, Product Development and Delivery in Oxford employer: SBS Careers
Saïd Business School is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises diversity and inclusion while providing ample opportunities for professional growth. Located in the heart of Oxford, employees benefit from a generous holiday allowance, hybrid working options, and access to various university perks, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Product Development and Delivery in Oxford
✨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 SBS Careers!
✨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 SBS Careers 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 SBS Careers through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Product Development and Delivery in Oxford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Associate Director, Product Development and Delivery, 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 Associate Director, Product Development and Delivery position at SBS Careers. 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 SBS Careers
✨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.
