At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and execution while managing a talented team.
- Company: Stakemate, a fast-growing startup revolutionising sports betting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, flexible hybrid model, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with direct access to the founder and strategic influence.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sports entertainment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in mobile consumer products, strong user research skills, and design sensibility.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Head of Product to shape product strategy in collaboration with the CEO and CTO and then drive the execution of that strategy with the broader team. You will report to the CEO and lead the product and design teams. This will start as a player-coach role: you'll be hands-on leading one product team while managing the overall product function and setting the strategic guardrails the team works within. You'll lead an experienced designer and a product analyst and work with a growing engineering team. Your job is to channel the team's energy into focused, hypothesis-driven, evidence-based product development. This is also a growth role for you. As Stakemate scales, you'll move from a player-coach to take on broader leadership responsibilities, taking on more of the strategy, expanding the product team, entering new markets, and shaping the product organisation from the ground up. If you want to build something, not just manage something, this is the opportunity.
About Stakemate: Founded in summer 2022, Stakemate is revolutionising sports betting by putting social features and seamless interfaces at the forefront. We’re a profitable startup that’s grown over 15x in the last year, and we’re just getting started. Recognised by EGR as one of the most innovative startups in gaming, we’re scaling fast and shaping the next generation of sports entertainment. We have built a product that users genuinely love with unlimited betting group chats, multi-game bet builders, and an experience designed for how people actually want to bet: together. Revolut disrupted Barclays, Robinhood disrupted Etrade, Stakemate is executing in the same way to take on the traditional gaming sector.
What We’re Looking For:
- Mobile consumer product experience: ideally in social, gaming, or B2C apps
- Passion for social, responsible betting: you get that the best product isn’t the one that maximises extraction, it’s the one mates genuinely love using together
- Strong discovery and user research chops: you run research, not just commission it
- Design sensibility: you can meaningfully collaborate with designers and push product quality
- Player-coach instinct: comfortable being hands-on in the work while developing others
- Strategic sequencing: you know how to break big bets into testable increments and prioritise ruthlessly
- Data literacy: comfortable with Mixpanel, retention curves, and using behavioural data to inform decisions
- Calm under pressure: betting is a volatile business; you’ll need to stay focused on the longer game while the numbers swing week to week
What You’ll Do:
- Lead the product function: set product strategy from Founder's vision, roadmap priorities, and decision-making frameworks across two squads
- Be hands-on in one squad while managing a PM who leads the other squad
- Drive user research and discovery: establish rigorous customer conversation habits, hypothesis testing, assumption validation, and data-driven experimentation
- Work closely with the designer on user experience and product quality: you need genuine design sensibility, not just wireframe sign-off
- Partner with the CTO on delivery cadence, reducing cross-team dependencies, and closing the gap between idea and launch
- Drive international expansion: have a UK+1 mindset to the product in scaling across different jurisdictions
Nice to Have:
- Experience in managing not only product but design and data teams
- Experience with regulated industries (gambling compliance, responsible gaming)
- Familiarity with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) or similar operating frameworks
- Experience scaling product teams from 3-5 to 10+
Interview Process:
- 45 min screening call and intro to Stakemate
- 45 min call with our Product Advisor
- 60 min whiteboard session (in person)
- Meet in person with the team (in person)
Benefits What We Offer:
- Competitive salary reflective of the strategic importance of this role
- Meaningful equity package: you’re building something valuable, you should own a piece of it
- Flexible hybrid model Mon/Tue/Thu in our 79-81 Borough Rd office
- Direct access to the founder and real strategic influence
- Substantial opportunity for career growth as the company scales
Head of Product employer: Stakemate Group
Stakemate is an exceptional employer for the Head of Product role, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment where you can directly influence product strategy and development. With a competitive salary, meaningful equity package, and a flexible hybrid model, employees enjoy substantial growth opportunities as the company scales rapidly in the exciting sports betting sector. The culture fosters collaboration and creativity, allowing you to work closely with experienced teams while having direct access to the founder, making it a truly rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product
✨Get Involved in Startup Events
Dive into the local startup scene! Attend pitch nights, hackathons, and networking events. It's a great way to meet founders and like-minded folks. Plus, you never know who might put in a good word for you at a startup like Stakemate Group!
✨Show Off Your Creativity
Startups love unique ideas! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past projects, especially those relevant to startups. This personal touch can really make you stand out when you're applying for that full-time gig at Stakemate Group.
✨Leverage Startup Communities Online
Get active on platforms such as Indie Hackers, Startup Grind, or even LinkedIn groups focused on startups. Participating in discussions can increase your visibility and open up potential job leads, especially at buzzing companies like Stakemate Group.
✨Direct Applications are Your Best Bet
Don't shy away from applying directly through our website. Startups often check their own portals first before other job sites. Tailor your application to show how you can add value to Stakemate Group — a personal touch goes a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit:When applying for a role in startups and entrepreneurship, it's crucial to highlight any experience you have with starting your own projects or businesses. We love seeing examples of your initiative, so sprinkle in stories of how you’ve taken risks or solved problems creatively—this is what makes you stand out!
Tailor Your CV for Impact:In the startup world, your CV should reflect not just your experience, but the impact you've made. Use quantifiable achievements to show your contributions, like percentage increases in growth or revenue. Remember, we’re looking for go-getters who know how to get results!
Craft a Provocative Cover Letter:Your cover letter is a chance to showcase your passion and motivation for working at Stakemate Group. Don't just list your skills—share your vision and what excites you about the entrepreneurial journey. Connect your personal aspirations with what we need, and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Keep Your Portfolio Handy:If you have a portfolio showcasing any past projects or entrepreneurial efforts, definitely mention it in your application. Though not always necessary for full-time roles, it can provide us with deeper insights into your work style and creativity. If you have a blog, products, or any innovation, we'd love to see it!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stakemate Group
✨Show Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
In startups, they love seeing passion and initiative. Be ready to share any personal projects or ideas you've worked on. This shows you’re not just about the 9-to-5, but you’re invested in creating value, which is key in this fast-paced environment.
✨Brush Up on Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to be thrown some curveballs during the interview—startups often face unexpected challenges. Having a couple of examples up your sleeve where you’ve creatively solved problems will really impress them. It's all about how you think on your feet!
✨Know Your Stuff About the Industry
Since you're applying for a full-time role, they’ll want to see you've done your homework. Make sure you understand where the startup stands in its industry, including competitors and market trends. It’s a great way to show you're genuinely interested and can contribute from day one.
✨Show Flexibility and Adaptability
Startups can pivot quickly, so highlight your adaptability. Share examples of when you've successfully navigated change or taken on roles outside your comfort zone. This shows you’re ready for whatever comes your way, which is crucial in a startup atmosphere!
