At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and drive growth in a mission-driven company.
- Company: World of Books, the largest seller of pre-loved books with a sustainability focus.
- Benefits: Autonomy, accountability, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a commitment to inclusivity and sustainability.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal transformation and help shape the future of sustainable reading.
- Qualifications: Senior product leadership experience in D2C eCommerce or marketplace environments.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
We’re the world’s largest seller of pre‑loved books — a certified B Corp on a mission to become the Planet’s Bookstore. Since 2002 we’ve rehomed over 100 million books, helped millions of customers read more and waste less, and built a business that proves sustainability and commercial ambition belong together.
Now we’re accelerating. We’re shifting from a marketplace‑first model to a consumer‑focused, product‑led business — and we’re looking for a Product Director to lead that transformation.
The role involves reporting to the CPTO and sitting on the Product & Technology Leadership Team. You’ll own product strategy across our three core flywheels — Supply, Operations, and Demand — and lead the teams building the D2C, pricing, marketplace, and data platform products that power everything we do.
Your first year has clear, ambitious targets: grow US D2C revenue from ~16% to over 40% of US total, deliver the US phase of our global pricing transformation, and scale the supply products that get more books into our hands and onto our shelves.
This isn’t a role for someone who wants to perfect the PowerPoint. It’s for someone who moves fast, makes clear decisions, and builds teams that ship.
What you’ll be doing:
- Setting and communicating a focused product strategy aligned to WoB’s commercial and operational priorities
- Leading the D2C growth agenda — particularly in the US, where the opportunity is significant
- Partnering with Engineering to sharpen delivery cadence and reduce friction across the product and tech stack
- Leveraging AI tools across the full product management and design lifecycle — and raising the bar for the whole team
- Leading, coaching and developing a high‑potential team of 7 — setting standards, building capability, and holding people accountable
- Translating ambition into actionable roadmaps that balance short‑term wins with long‑term value
- Cutting through complexity: championing build vs. buy rigour, fast feedback loops, and a default towards simplicity
What we’re looking for:
- Senior product leadership experience (Head of / Director / VP level) in international environments, with meaningful US market exposure
- A strong track record in D2C eCommerce or marketplace product — ideally scaling consumer‑grade products at pace
- Someone equally comfortable setting the big picture and getting into the detail when the team needs it
- Proven ability to lead through influence — building trust quickly with engineering, commercial, and data teams
- A genuine adopter of AI tools in product work, not just in theory
- High EQ, strong communication skills, and the commercial edge to make decisions that land
Why World of Books?
- A mission that genuinely matters — B Corp certified, with sustainability at the core of every decision
- A seat on the leadership team during a pivotal moment of transformation
- Real autonomy, real accountability, and a business that moves fast
- London‑based (Victoria ~3 days per week), with travel to Coventry, Illinois and Budapest
- A team that cares about doing things right — for customers, for colleagues, for the planet
If you’re a product leader who wants to build something that means something — and has the commercial edge and execution focus to do it at scale — we’d love to hear from you.
World of Books is a certified B Corporation. We are committed to building an inclusive team and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
Product Director employer: World of Books
World of Books is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead transformative product strategies in a mission-driven environment focused on sustainability. With a strong emphasis on employee growth and autonomy, you will be part of a dynamic team that values innovation and accountability while making a positive impact on the planet. Located in London, this role provides the chance to influence significant change within a B Corp certified company that prioritises both commercial success and environmental responsibility.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Director
✨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 World of Books!
✨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 World of Books 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 World of Books through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Product Director, 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 Product Director position at World of Books. 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 World of Books
✨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.