Fractional Head of Product in London

Fractional Head of Product in London

London Freelance 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Story Terrace Inc.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead product strategy for innovative B2C platforms and mentor developers.
  • Company: Join StoryTerrace, a leader in ghostwritten life stories with a mission to capture meaningful narratives.
  • Benefits: Flexible fractional role, competitive pay, and the chance to shape impactful products.
  • Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference by steering a unique global platform with societal impact.
  • Qualifications: Proven B2C product leadership and coding experience in JavaScript, Node.js, and React.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

StoryTerrace is looking for a hands-on Fractional Head of Product with experience scaling B2C platforms.

The role involves setting product direction across two live products - one established, one new to market - and directing the developer(s) who build(s) them. This is a judgment role where you’ll be making calls on strategy, roadmap trade-offs, and shaping what growing editorial products become. You’ll also advise on hiring needs.

About StoryTerrace: StoryTerrace is on a mission to ensure that every life story is captured and passed on in a meaningful way. We're the leader in the ghostwritten life story market, having created more than 4,000 books with a network of 500 writers. At our core, we blend human storytelling with technology, using our proprietary platforms to create seamless digital experiences for clients and produce high-quality, beautifully crafted books at scale. We've recently launched a self-serve app, opening up a new way for people to tell their story.

What you’ll do:

  • Own the roadmap for both products; sequencing, trade-offs, and the case for what does or doesn’t get built this quarter.
  • Set technical direction and review architecture decisions, aligned with long-term platform vision.
  • Oversee AI-assisted content-creation features, ensuring quality standards evolve alongside the roadmap.
  • Coach and mentor our Full Stack Developer and bring in extra freelance capacity if the roadmap needs it.
  • Build a support ticket framework and the feedback loop back into the roadmap.
  • Step into the codebase yourself when it's genuinely the fastest way to unblock something.
  • Conduct thorough market research, gathering user insights, and staying informed about the competitive landscape.

What we are looking for:

  • Proven B2C product leadership; consumer mobile app, marketplace, subscription, or social/community products.
  • A real coding background; you've shipped production code yourself, even if you're not doing it daily now.
  • Fluent in our stack: JavaScript, Node.js, Express, React, MongoDB/Mongoose.
  • Experience directing developers and evaluating their output critically.
  • Comfort with genuine ambiguity and lean resourcing.

Why Join StoryTerrace:

  • Opportunity to steer the scaling journey for an early stage unique, global consumer platform.
  • Genuinely meaningful products with societal impact.
  • High trust, collaborative leadership team.

Contract, duration, and day rate/salary will be discussed based on experience and availability.

Fractional Head of Product in London employer: Story Terrace Inc.

At Story Terrace Inc., we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Marketing Director in the UK, you will not only lead a talented team but also enjoy competitive benefits such as a substantial salary, private health insurance, and ample vacation time, all while contributing to meaningful growth and brand development in a forward-thinking environment.

Story Terrace Inc.

Contact Details:

Story Terrace Inc. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Fractional Head of Product in London

Discover Your Niche

In the product management and development realm, it's crucial to find your specific niche. Are you into agile methodologies or more traditional project management? Make sure your portfolio showcases your strengths in your chosen area—this helps you stand out to potential clients who are looking for that expertise.

Join Product Management Communities

Connecting with other freelancers in product management can open doors for collaborations and referrals. Join communities like ProductCoalition or PMHQ on LinkedIn. Engage in discussions, share your experiences, and let people know you’re on the lookout for freelance gigs—they can lead you to opportunities you wouldn't find otherwise.

Craft a Killer Online Portfolio

As a freelancer, your online presence is everything. Create a compelling portfolio that highlights your past projects, including case studies and testimonials from previous clients. Use platforms like Behance or your own website to display your work visually—this gives potential clients a taste of what they can expect when they hire you.

Pitch to Startups and Local Businesses

Look for startups or local businesses that need help with product management or development. These smaller organisations often look for freelance talent and appreciate fresh ideas. Reach out directly via email or at networking events, and propose how you can help them with their current challenges. Don’t forget to check out opportunities directly on platforms like ours at Story Terrace Inc.—it’s where many freelancers find their next gig.

We think you need these skills to ace Fractional Head of Product in London

B2C Product Leadership
Technical Direction
Market Research
User Insights Gathering
Full Stack Development
JavaScript
Node.js

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Product Management Experience:When applying for the freelance Fractional Head of Product role at Story Terrace Inc., make sure your CV highlights your relevant product management experience. Include specific projects where you led product development, focusing on how you identified user needs and managed the development cycle. This gives us a clear picture of your skills and real-world applications.

Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work:A stellar portfolio can make all the difference in the freelance world! Put together case studies of previous products you've worked on, including your role in the project, challenges faced, and the impacts of your decisions. We love seeing tangible results and learning about your thought process.

Be Ready to Discuss Your Methodologies:In your application, mention any specific methodologies or frameworks you’re familiar with, like Agile or Scrum. We’re interested in how you approach product development, so sharing your working methods could really set you apart as a candidate.

Outline Your Availability and Rates:As a freelancer, it’s important to be upfront about how much time you can dedicate to the role and your rate. Make sure to include this information in your cover letter — it shows you're transparent and ready to jump in at Story Terrace Inc.. Plus, it helps us understand if we can align expectations from the get-go!

How to prepare for a job interview at Story Terrace Inc.

Show Off Your Product Vision

For a freelance Fractional Head of Product role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to not just manage products, but to have a vision for them. Prepare to discuss previous projects where you identified a gap in the market or improved an existing product—show how your insights led to tangible results.

Be Ready for Agile Discussions

Agile methodologies are the bread and butter of product management. Brush up on your knowledge of Agile principles, and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented Scrum or Kanban in past projects. We want to see your familiarity with tools like JIRA or Trello, and how you've used them to streamline workflows.

Portfolio Power

As a freelancer, your portfolio speaks volumes. Make sure it showcases a variety of projects that highlight your skills in product development, user research, and stakeholder management. Include case studies that outline your role, the challenges you faced, and how your solutions brought value.

Master the Pricing Conversation

Freelancing often comes down to negotiating your worth. Be prepared to discuss your rates confidently. Know what you bring to the table, and don’t shy away from justifying your pricing based on your past successes and the unique skills you offer—this is how we ensure a good fit with Story Terrace Inc..