At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and execution while managing a talented team.
- Company: Join Stakemate, a fast-growing startup revolutionising sports betting.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, equity package, flexible hybrid work model, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of an innovative team with direct access to the founder.
- Why this job: Shape the future of sports entertainment and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in mobile consumer products, user research, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We are 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 will be hands-on leading one product team while managing the overall product function and setting the strategic guardrails the team works within. You will lead a talented product manager, 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 will move from a player-coach to take on broader leadership responsibilities, 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 are a profitable startup that has grown over 15x in the last year, and we are just getting started. Recognised by EGR as one of the most innovative startups in gaming, we are 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. Stakemate is executing in the same way to take on the traditional gaming sector.
What We Are Looking For:
- Mobile consumer product experience: ideally in social, gaming, or B2C apps.
- Passion for social, responsible betting: you understand 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 skills: 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 will need to stay focused on the longer game while the numbers swing week to week.
What You Will 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 the 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).
What We Offer:
- Competitive salary reflective of the strategic importance of this role.
- Meaningful equity package: you are 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
Stakemate is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a rapidly growing startup in the heart of London, we provide our employees with meaningful equity packages, flexible working arrangements, and direct access to leadership, ensuring that every team member has a voice in shaping the future of sports betting. With substantial opportunities for career growth and a culture that values creativity and teamwork, Stakemate is the perfect place for those looking to make a significant impact in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Stakemate or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Stakemate's product and its unique features. Show us you’re not just interested in the role but genuinely excited about what we’re building and how you can contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with our needs, especially around product strategy and user research. We want to see your passion and how you can lead our teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Stakemate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for product development and social betting shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about creating products that users love, so share your experiences and what excites you about this role!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in mobile consumer products, especially in social or gaming contexts. We’re looking for specific examples of how you've driven product strategy and user research, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your achievements and skills. Use bullet points if it helps make your key points stand out!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining the Stakemate team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stakemate
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Stakemate's product offerings. Understand the features, user experience, and what sets it apart in the sports betting market. This knowledge will help you articulate how your vision aligns with their goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Product, you'll be leading teams. Be prepared to discuss your player-coach approach. Share examples of how you've successfully managed teams while being hands-on, and how you foster collaboration between product managers and designers.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Familiarise yourself with tools like Mixpanel and retention curves. Be ready to discuss how you've used data to inform product decisions in the past. Highlight specific instances where your data literacy led to successful outcomes.
✨Prepare for Hypothesis Testing Scenarios
Expect questions around user research and hypothesis testing. Prepare to discuss your methods for validating assumptions and how you've implemented data-driven experimentation in previous roles. This will show your strategic thinking and discovery chops.
