HR Product Owner in Watford

We're building HR products, not just running HR projects and we need someone who knows the difference.

As our Colleague Experience Product Manager, you will take full end-to-end ownership of critical moments in our employee lifecycle, with your primary initial focus on transforming our Onboarding experience. This isn't just a system delivery role. You will be designing the entire end-to-end journey, balancing the digital tools with the human touchpoints, communications, and real-world processes that happen away from the screen.

This is a hands-on, "do the do" role. The macro transformation strategy is steered by our Experience & Product Transformation Lead, leaving you with the autonomy to turn that high-level vision into tangible, beautifully executed experiences that colleagues actually love using.

What You'll Do

• Champion the Onboarding Journey: Own the product lifecycle for our Onboarding experience from discovery through to iteration, ensuring new joiners have a seamless, welcoming, and frictionless start.
• Design Beyond the Screen: Look past the technology. You will map and improve the entire ecosystem around the product—including manager behaviours, physical touchpoints, and cultural moments that technology alone can't fix.
• Make the Tough Calls: Balance user needs against operational realities. You’ll make data-backed trade-offs on scope and experience, and comfortably articulate the why to your team.
• Bridge the Gap: Manage diverse stakeholders across HR, Tech, and the wider business—acting as the translator between people who think in policy and people who think in sprints.
• Balance Product and Process: Run the practical project management needed to keep delivery on track while knowing when to flex into creative product thinking instead of just ticking off a checklist.
• Build Using Evidence: Gather and utilize qualitative feedback, usage data, and colleague insights to continually iterate on what’s working and ruthlessly cut what isn't.

A Quick Reality Check (Is this role right for you?)

Every role has its boundaries. To make sure we're a good match, it's worth noting:

• We value execution over abstract strategy: You will have immense freedom to shape how your product works and what the roadmap looks like. However, if you are looking for a role primarily focused on drafting high-level corporate blueprints rather than getting stuck into delivery, this won't be the right fit.
• We build experiences, not just systems: If your style of product management stops once the software is deployed, you might find our holistic focus frustrating.

What We're Looking For

• A Proven Track Record in Onboarding: You have successfully delivered digital products before, ideally with direct experience shaping an Onboarding or candidate-to-employee journey.
• An “Experience-First” Mindset: You naturally think about the emotional journey of the user.
• Product Thinking vs. Project Delivery: You can manage a timeline when required, but you measure success by outcomes and user satisfaction, not just meeting a deadline.
• Strong Stakeholder Gravitas: Comfortable holding your ground with senior stakeholders and guiding them through change.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: HR product management is still a relatively fresh discipline.

Why This Role?

This is a genuine chance to bring modern product discipline into a space that has traditionally been run on rigid process and policy. You will see the direct, human impact of your work on your colleagues' everyday lives.

Why Join Us?

• A Culture Where You Belong: We're proud of our inclusive culture—it's a place where everyone feels at home.
• Your Growth, Our Support: Whatever you want to achieve in your career, we’re here to help you reach it.
• Rewarding Your Contribution: Competitive bonus, Save-As-You-Earn scheme, and an enhanced contributory pension.

At Wickes, you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day. We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

We're a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.