At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a key product for secure data sharing in public services.
- Company: Join Social Security Scotland, a forward-thinking agency making a real difference.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, supportive environment, and diverse career opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for growth within a dynamic and inclusive workplace.
- Why this job: Shape impactful products while driving digital transformation in a collaborative team.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Product Owner to join our Digital Division at Social Security Scotland. Working within the Data Provisioning Team, you will lead the continued development and ongoing delivery of the Data Sharing Portal (DSP) - a key product that enables secure, effective data sharing and insight to support vital public services.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape a high-impact product that supports data-driven decision-making across the organisation. You’ll play a central role in defining product strategy, leading delivery, and building high-performing teams, all while contributing to a wider digital transformation agenda.
As a Product Owner, you will combine strategic product leadership with line management of a small team. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will set direction, maintain the product roadmap, and ensure delivery meets user and organisational needs.
You will champion Agile and Lean practices, foster a collaborative, high-performing environment, and contribute to internal governance and wider leadership activities, including recruitment and capability building. This role blends people leadership with hands-on delivery oversight to ensure products deliver meaningful value.
A Product Owner is the lead for the product team in their programme or service. At this role level, you will:
- be as interested in managing people as managing products
- work closely with the head of product (where they exist as a separate role) to provide leadership and direction to all products in a programme or a local product community
- maintain the high level roadmap
- be involved in a range of programme management activities in support of the service owner or programme lead
- be involved in hiring associate product managers, product managers, senior product managers and contractors
- provide leadership in your programmes and across the local community
Responsibilities
Agile Leadership and Ways of Working
- Coach and lead teams in Agile and Lean practices, selecting and adapting the most appropriate approaches throughout the product lifecycle while continuously evaluating effectiveness.
- Act as a recognised advocate for Agile ways of working, challenging thinking, driving continuous improvement, and introducing innovative approaches to achieve better outcomes.
- Support organisational-level Agile maturity and foster collaboration across roles and wider digital and data communities.
- Implement practical solutions and new ways of working, drawing on internal insight and external best practice to determine what is most relevant and impactful.
- Maintain awareness of the wider digital economy, emerging technologies, and cross-sector practices, applying relevant insights to improve delivery.
Product Strategy, Vision and Value
- Set clear long-term vision and strategic objectives, maintaining focus on priorities that deliver the greatest value.
- Understand the marketplace and user needs, building compelling business cases and clearly articulating the value of products to gain stakeholder buy-in.
- Ensure products are effectively adopted and deliver measurable benefits by aligning delivery to business cases and integrating products with wider services.
- Apply strategic thinking to ensure products and services meet evolving user needs across multiple channels and over time.
Delivery and Product Lifecycle Management
- Lead multidisciplinary teams across the full product lifecycle, selecting appropriate tools and techniques at each stage to optimise delivery.
- Identify, manage and mitigate risks across all stages of the lifecycle, while developing sustainable support and operational models.
- Provide clear direction on tools, methods and approaches, using experience to guide teams in delivering high-quality, user-centred outcomes.
Operational Excellence
- Create the conditions for team success and drive operational excellence by improving efficiency and championing best practices.
- Act as an escalation point for major operational issues.
- Collaborate closely with operational leaders to embed effective and consistent ways of working across teams.
Problem Solving and Continuous Improvement
- Anticipate and define problems within a wider organisational context, clearly articulating issues and enabling others to develop strong problem-solving capabilities.
- Anticipate constraints, understanding when to challenge or remove barriers to enable delivery.
Leadership, Collaboration and Capability Building
- Influence, challenge and support stakeholders at all levels to drive effective decision-making.
- Coach and develop others, contributing to the growth and assessment of teams and supporting their progression.
- Build capability across teams, fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Experience identifying, recording and managing risks across different stages of the product lifecycle, alongside a strong understanding of governance and assurance processes. Demonstrable experience in defining and measuring product benefits, with the ability to clearly articulate and promote the value proposition to a range of stakeholders.
Behaviours
Leadership (Level 4) Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)
Technical/Professional Skills
This role is aligned to Lead Product Manager within the Government Digital and Data Profession. These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will not be assessed at application stage.
How to Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Success Profiles above. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified, applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.
Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – w/c 15th June Interview – w/c 6th July
Location
In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow
Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.
About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.
We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits.
As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.
Working pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee.
If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.
Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.
Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post.
If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us.
Further Information
This role is only available to existing permanent civil servants who have successfully completed their probation period within Social Security Scotland, or the broader Scottish Government.
The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.
If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team.
Apply before 11:55 pm on 15th June 2026
C1 Product Owner in Glasgow employer: Scottish Government
At Social Security Scotland, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that values diversity and employee well-being. As a Product Owner in our Digital Division, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful projects while benefiting from flexible working arrangements and a commitment to professional development, all within the vibrant cities of Dundee or Glasgow. Join us to make a meaningful difference in public services and enjoy a fulfilling career with ample growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land C1 Product Owner in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry, especially those already working at Social Security Scotland. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that interview! Research common questions for Product Owners and think about how your experience aligns with the job description. Practice makes perfect, so grab a mate and do some mock interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your Agile skills! Be ready to discuss how you've implemented Agile practices in past roles. Highlight specific examples where you led teams or improved processes – it’ll make you stand out!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and the company there.
We think you need these skills to ace C1 Product Owner in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Product Owner role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description. We want to see how your background fits into our vision!
Craft a Compelling Supporting Statement:Your supporting statement is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your achievements and how they relate to the Success Profiles. Be specific and give examples that demonstrate your leadership and product management skills.
Be Honest About Your Experience:While AI tools can help, remember to keep it real! All statements should come from your own experiences. We value authenticity, so don’t try to pass off someone else’s work as your own.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Government
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
As a Product Owner, you need to be well-versed in the Data Sharing Portal and its impact on public services. Familiarise yourself with its features, user needs, and how it fits into the broader digital transformation agenda. This knowledge will help you articulate your vision and strategy during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Agile Expertise
Since this role champions Agile and Lean practices, be prepared to discuss your experience in leading teams using these methodologies. Share specific examples of how you've implemented Agile principles to improve product delivery and team collaboration, demonstrating your ability to drive continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Scenarios
You'll be working closely with senior stakeholders, so think about how you can effectively communicate and influence them. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully gained stakeholder buy-in or navigated complex discussions, showcasing your leadership and communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Anticipate questions around problem-solving and risk management. Be ready to discuss how you've identified and mitigated risks in previous projects, and share your approach to fostering a culture of continuous improvement within your teams. This will highlight your capability to lead and support others in overcoming challenges.
