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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a high-performing Game Studio product team while driving innovative game initiatives.
- Company: Join tombola, a people-first gaming company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape exciting games and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in product management and team leadership.
- Other info: Thriving culture focused on innovation, player insight, and responsible play.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
We’re looking for a Lead Product Manager to lead our Game Studio product team, owning the strategy, delivery and performance of tombola’s game portfolio. This is a senior leadership role with real scope. You’ll build and nurture a high‑performing team of Product Managers and Game Producers, while also remaining hands‑on — personally leading our most complex, high‑impact product initiatives. You’ll be accountable for shaping and delivering the Game Studio roadmap, ensuring it balances innovation, commercial impact and responsible play, while staying aligned to tombola’s long‑term vision.
What you’ll be doing
- Lead, coach and grow the Game Studio product team.
- Coach, mentor and develop a team of Product Managers and Game Producers, supporting both skill development and long‑term career growth.
- Own performance management, including regular 1:1s, PDPs and reviews.
- Embed a strong culture of data‑led decision making and player insight, coaching the team on experimentation, hypothesis testing and outcome analysis.
- Prioritise team capacity and workload based on capability, development goals and commercial impact.
- Champion continuous improvement and innovation, keeping the team up to date with emerging trends, frameworks and technologies.
Own strategy, roadmap and delivery
- Personally lead the discovery and delivery of the most critical, high‑impact and innovative Game Studio initiatives.
- Translate business objectives into clear, actionable product plans and delivery initiatives.
- Own and evolve the Game Studio delivery roadmap, ensuring the right balance between iterative improvements and bolder innovation.
- Lead cross‑functional prioritisation, managing trade‑offs and aligning resources based on player insight, commercial value and strategic fit.
- Maintain a deep, hands‑on understanding of delivery progress and risk, stepping in to unblock issues and keep initiatives on track.
Drive cross‑functional alignment
- Work closely with engineering teams (engine, client and platform), as well as wider tombola and UKI/Flutter stakeholders.
- Build strong, collaborative relationships to ensure smooth delivery across multiple teams and partners.
- Act as a consistent voice for the player, ensuring product decisions align with player needs, business strategy and responsible play commitments.
What we’re looking for
- Extensive experience as a Product Manager within a technology‑led business, with a strong track record of leading and developing high‑performing teams.
- Proven ability to coach, mentor and grow Product Managers and Producers.
- Strong strategic and commercial mindset, with excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
- Experience working in complex product environments; online gambling or gaming experience is highly desirable, but not essential.
- Comfortable operating under pressure, managing multiple initiatives and prioritising effectively.
You’ll thrive here if you…
- Are passionate about leadership, coaching and developing others.
- Balance innovation with commercial focus and regulatory responsibility.
- Enjoy being hands‑on with complex product challenges, not just setting direction.
- Are an engaging, approachable leader with a down‑to‑earth style.
- Take full ownership of outcomes, from team performance to product impact.
Why tombola
At tombola, product teams have real ownership and influence. You’ll play a key role in shaping our games, growing our people and ensuring everything we build is fun, safe and responsibly delivered — all within a collaborative, people‑first culture.
Lead Product Manager - Game Studio - Sunderland (Hyrid) employer: Tombola
Contact Detail:
Tombola Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Product Manager - Game Studio - Sunderland (Hyrid)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the gaming industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio that highlights your past projects and achievements. If you've led successful product initiatives or developed high-performing teams, make sure to showcase those experiences. This will help you stand out when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s products and culture. Understand their game portfolio and think about how you can contribute to their vision. Bring your ideas to the table during interviews; it shows you're proactive and genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Don’t forget to follow up after applying; a little nudge can go a long way!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Product Manager - Game Studio - Sunderland (Hyrid)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gaming: When you’re writing your application, let your love for gaming shine through! Talk about your favourite games and how they inspire your approach to product management. We want to see that you’re not just a manager, but someone who genuinely cares about creating amazing gaming experiences.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: Make sure to showcase your experience in leading teams. Share specific examples of how you've coached and developed others in your previous roles. At StudySmarter, we value leaders who can nurture talent and drive performance, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Be Data-Driven: We love a good data story! In your application, mention how you’ve used data to inform decisions and improve products. Whether it’s through player insights or performance metrics, showing us your analytical side will definitely catch our eye.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Take the time to tailor your CV and cover letter to the Lead Product Manager role at tombola. Highlight relevant experiences and skills that align with the job description. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tombola
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into tombola's game portfolio. Familiarise yourself with their current games, understand their unique selling points, and think about how you can contribute to their strategy. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can lead and innovate within their Game Studio.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in coaching and developing teams. Think about specific instances where you've successfully mentored Product Managers or Game Producers. Be ready to discuss how you foster a culture of data-led decision making and continuous improvement, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Demonstrate Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to talk about how you translate business objectives into actionable product plans. Bring examples of how you've balanced innovation with commercial impact in previous roles. This will illustrate your strategic mindset and ability to manage complex product environments effectively.
✨Engage with Cross-Functional Collaboration
Highlight your experience working with engineering teams and other stakeholders. Discuss how you've built strong relationships to ensure smooth delivery across multiple teams. This is crucial for the role, so be ready to share how you act as a voice for the player while aligning product decisions with business strategy.
