At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of a new memory-keeping product from concept to launch.
- Company: Join Wonderbly Group, a leader in personalised storytelling.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work, and potential for permanent role.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth within an innovative team.
- Why this job: Shape a meaningful product that captures memories and stories.
- Qualifications: Experience in product management and a passion for storytelling.
Contract role - 3–5 days per week, 6 months initially
Location - Hybrid, Central London office
Day rate - Up to £500 per day, depending on experience
Reports to - Chief Product Officer, Wonderbly Group
The Opportunity
Wonderbly Group has spent years perfecting the art of personalised books, stories that put real people at the heart of the narrative. Now we're launching a new venture in an adjacent space that moves us deeply: helping people capture the memories, voices and stories of the people they love, and turn them into beautiful, lasting books and journals. The bones of this business already exist. What we need is someone to help us reimagine it from the ground up: new technology, a new digital product, a transformed ecommerce experience and a fresh brand expression, while preserving the emotional heart of what makes this category so meaningful. We’re looking for a builder, someone with a genuine passion for memory‑keeping, personal storytelling and beautifully crafted print products. Whilst this is a contract role our perfect candidate is someone who could transition to become the Head of Product for this new brand once it launches.
What You’ll Do
- You’ll take ownership of the new product from research through to a shipped, live experience, working alongside our in‑house tech team, a talented editorial team and Wonderbly Group leadership.
- Leading user research to understand what customers want from a memory and legacy product: how they want to capture stories, who they're making books for, and what makes the end result feel precious.
- Creating and iterating on design prototypes, from rough concepts through to polished, testable experiences.
- Owning the digital product and ecommerce application roadmap: defining what we build and managing delivery with the in‑house tech team.
- Collaborating closely with our editorial colleagues to design new kinds of print‑on‑demand books and journals that are both beautiful and genuinely easy for customers to create.
- Working with leadership to shape the brand expression of the new venture as it comes to life through the product.
- Keeping stakeholders informed and aligned throughout; this is a small, fast‑moving team and clear communication matters.
- Getting stuck in on any live product challenges with the existing business; whilst we transform the business there will be smaller product related tasks to keep the lights on and we want someone that can help with this.
Who We’re Looking For
We're looking for someone who has done this before, shaped a digital product from early research to launch, and who brings genuine care for the subject matter. You should feel at home working both strategically and hands‑on. You'll be a strong fit if you have:
- Demonstrable experience as a product lead or senior product manager on at least one consumer‑facing digital product.
- Strong research and discovery skills; you know how to get to genuine insight, not just confirmation.
- Experience creating design prototypes (you don't need to be a designer, but you should be comfortable working in tools like Figma or creating good AI prototypes).
- A track record of managing software delivery with a technical team: comfortable in sprints, writing clear specs, unblocking engineers and making sensible trade‑off decisions.
- Experience in or a strong affinity for ecommerce; you understand conversion funnels, customer journeys and what makes people buy.
- An appreciation for craft: beautifully designed physical products, editorial quality and brand expression matter to you.
- A genuine interest in memory‑keeping, personal storytelling or the gift book category.
Bonus if you have:
- Experience with print‑on‑demand products or the personalised gifts space.
- Previous experience building or transforming a product for a new brand within a larger group.
- An eye for brand and the ability to think across digital and physical product design.
Product Lead - New Venture, Wonderbly Group employer: Wonderbly
Wonderbly Group is an exceptional employer that fosters a creative and collaborative work environment, perfect for those passionate about personal storytelling and memory-keeping. With a hybrid working model in Central London, employees enjoy flexibility while being part of a dynamic team dedicated to crafting beautiful, meaningful products. The company prioritises employee growth, offering opportunities to transition into leadership roles, and values innovation, making it an inspiring place for professionals looking to make a significant impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Lead - New Venture, Wonderbly Group
✨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 Wonderbly—it’s where many freelancers find their next gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Lead - New Venture, Wonderbly Group
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Product Management Experience:When applying for the freelance Product Lead - New Venture, Wonderbly Group role at Wonderbly, 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 Wonderbly. Plus, it helps us understand if we can align expectations from the get-go!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wonderbly
✨Show Off Your Product Vision
For a freelance Product Lead - New Venture, Wonderbly Group 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 Wonderbly.
