At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape digital product operations for high-quality execution across teams.
- Company: Join Virgin Media O2, a flexible-first organisation committed to equity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive rewards package and perks for you and your loved ones.
- Other info: Flexible work environment with opportunities for meaningful collaboration and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding teams through change and enhancing customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in operational strategy and experience with cross-functional creative teams.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
This is a senior leadership role shaping how digital products and creative work come to life at scale. As Head of Product Operations, you’ll be accountable for the operating model that underpins high‑quality digital execution across product, design, user research, copy and motion graphics. You’ll focus on the how, building the frameworks, standards and capabilities that enable teams to deliver consistently great customer experiences across web and app, while staying aligned to our long‑term consumer strategy.
You’ll lead a multi‑disciplinary team of senior leads, setting direction for operational excellence and acting as the bridge between product, creative, technology and delivery. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you’ll champion lean, customer‑centred and data‑driven ways of working, embed scalable and reusable practices, and ensure that research, design systems, copy and motion are fully integrated into the product lifecycle. This role blends strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership, guiding teams through change and helping the organisation deliver better outcomes, faster.
Our ways of working: We’re a flexible‑first organisation. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person, whether in team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross‑functional projects or away days. What matters is making those moments purposeful so that when we come together, it really counts.
Accessibility, inclusion and equity: Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer and we work hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. We build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape.
Requirements
- Operational Strategy & Outcome Ownership: Has owned and articulated an operational or 'DesignOps' strategy for a large‑scale digital organization, demonstrating measurable improvements in delivery efficiency.
- Creative Leadership at Scale: Has led multiple cross‑functional creative or product operations teams and been accountable for the quality of output beyond initial launch.
- Agile & Product‑led Ways of Working: Significant experience integrating creative disciplines (Design, Research, Motion) into high‑performing Agile Full Stack squads.
- Systemic Thinking: Proven experience governing a Central Design System and its adoption across diverse product portfolios.
- Stakeholder Management: Examples of influencing and collaborating with Commercial, Technology, and Delivery leaders to resolve prioritisation trade‑offs and process bottlenecks.
- People & Change Leadership: Has line‑managed and developed senior Leads (Lead Designers/Researchers) and led teams through material organisational change.
- Multi‑Disciplinary Oversight: Demonstrable experience owning the operational 'how' across the full creative spectrum, specifically including Product, User Research, Copy/UX Writing, and Motion Graphics.
- Multi‑Platform Consistency: Proven experience ensuring consistent creative and operational standards across both Web and Mobile App platforms.
- Tooling & Infrastructure: Experience in selecting, implementing, and governing the modern product/creative stack (e.g., Figma, Jira, Research Repositories, Adobe Suite) at an enterprise level.
Preferred
- Experience driving the adoption of emerging design, research, and content methodologies (e.g., AI‑assisted workflows, automation, rapid experimentation frameworks) to unlock measurable step‑changes in creative and product delivery performance.
Benefits
We offer a competitive rewards package, benefits, and perks designed to support both you and your loved ones, ensuring you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.
Head of Product Operations employer: Virgin Media O2
At Virgin Media O2, we pride ourselves on being a flexible-first organisation that champions collaboration and inclusivity. As the Head of Product Operations in London, you'll not only lead a dynamic multi-disciplinary team but also benefit from a competitive rewards package and a culture that prioritises employee growth and well-being. Join us to shape the future of digital products while enjoying meaningful work in a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Product Operations
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Virgin Media O2!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Virgin Media O2 would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Virgin Media O2 through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Product Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Head of Product Operations, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Head of Product Operations position at Virgin Media O2. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media O2
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
