Head of Product, GOV.UK

The Government Digital Service (GDS) exists to make the user experience of the government simple, consistent and welcoming for everyone. To do this, GDS builds, iterates and maintains digital tools and platforms that are part of everyday life in the UK; platforms like GOV.UK - the online home of government information and services. We also work with departments to identify patterns, share learning and create change to make government more efficient.

GOV.UK is now the established digital interface between government and the public. It’s well used - with over 28 billion page views since go-live - and is consistently among the most-visited websites in the country. It's extremely well known according to YouGov, and the signature design and logo is instantly recognisable as the trusted source of government information and services. GOV.UK has become truly essential to living, working and studying in the UK.Â

Our teams are organised around delivering on our priorities, which are to:

• grow GOV.UK to reach people when and where they need government information


• make GOV.UK more proactive in helping people


• evolve to match user expectations for new technologies


We are looking for a Head of Product to lead the continued development of GOV.UK web proposition, publishing tooling and platform, while supporting the programme’s ambitious strategy for growth., As the Head of Product for GOV.UK Web, Publishing & Platform, you’ll be responsible for growing and leading the high performing Web, Publishing and Platform product teams in the GOV.UK directorate. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering critical government products and services to key stakeholders: citizens and government departments. These products operate at significant scale, are impactful through supporting citizens across every interaction with government, and are built collaboratively with government department partners to ensure these interactions are as simple and efficient as possible.Â

Reporting to the Deputy Director - Web, Publishing & Platform, you will develop a sustainable and engaged product community, who work together towards a common goal through strategic objectives and shared community goals, sharing learning and ideas openly. You’ll also be a key member of the GOV.UK Senior Management Team, leading on initiatives taking place across the directorate.

You’ll thrive using agile methods and enjoy working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams. Above all, you’ll want to make government better, which may sometimes involve challenging the status quo.

As a Head of Product for GOV.UK Web, Publishing & Platform, you will:

• contribute to a clear product vision, with key focus on balancing operational and iterative product development with innovation that meets or exceeds our growth strategy


• develop and drive an everyday culture of experimentation across all product teams, balancing experimentation of innovative experiences with operational efficiencies.


• provide ongoing direction and leadership for multi-disciplinary product teams in running, supporting and continuously improving products, so that they meet user needs while working toward measurable objectives and data driven outcomes.


• lead on OKR development and product roadmaps that support both strategic development and operational delivery


• be a visible leader who takes responsibility, while supporting the wellbeing and professional development of the product community in GOV.UK


• support GOV.UK’s Deputy Directors in the implementation of strategic initiatives and delivery of operational challenges


Person specification

We are looking for a person who thrives on challenges and is passionate about making a difference. If you are pragmatic and keen to deliver great products that have a big impact, then this could be the place for you.Â

The Head of Product is a key leadership role that offers the opportunity to shape and evolve our product strategy, supporting teams to make good decisions and deliver a service that ’simply works’ and is inclusive by default.

To do this, you will have:

• strong product management experience with a track-record for launching and evolving great digital products with multiple teams in multi-disciplinary agile environments


• created and developed product strategy for your products and direct the work of delivery teams through all phases of delivery, from discovery to continuous improvement in a live setting


• assessed products and services and given constructive feedback and guidance on priorities and improvements


• engaged with senior stakeholders, including suppliers, coordinating activity across a number of organisations toward common objectives


• set, monitored and reported measurable performance targets for teams and products


• experience recruiting, coaching and line managing product managers, identifying learning and development opportunities for individuals and teams


• possess familiarity with working with suppliers through the end-to-end procurement process


• have been in a role with a focus on operational maturity and ensuring a consistent approach to user and technical operational support


We’re interested in people who have experience of developing, launching and iterating products in the following areas:

• web and mobile user experiences, at scale


• publishing platforms, content lifecycle and metadata


• proactive and / or personalised products that support complex digital interactionsÂ


• resilient, secure platforms


If you meet a few of those criteria but think that you might not meet every last one then don’t let that stop you from submitting an application., The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and for you to answer 3 application questions


• a 90 minute interview - we will assess you against the behaviours listed as well as your ability, strengths, experience, technical/specialist skills. Candidates invited to the interview will be asked to give a short presentation. Full details of the presentation will be made available to all shortlisted candidates at a later date.


Whilst we value the use of AI technology to enhance our daily work, we also value the personal touch and urge applicants to write responses without the use of AI to emphasise their own unique experiences.

In order to assist candidates with this role, we will be holding a virtual recruitment event on Tuesday 17th September 2024 at 9am - 10am to go through the role in more detail. If you are interested in joining this event please e-mail: gds-recruitment@digital.cabinet-office.gov.uk and a member of the team will send you an invitation to the event.

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role., A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals


• nationals of the Republic of Ireland


• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK


• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)


• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)


• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020


• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  changing and improving


• making effective decisions


• delivering at pace


• leadershipÂ


• communicating and influencing


We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Digital, Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework for the Head of Product role:

• Agile working


• DDaT perspective


• Financial ownership


• Lifecycle perspective


• Operational management


• Problem management


• Product ownership


• Strategic ownership


• User focus


• Working within constraints


Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

The benefits of working at GDS

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours


• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%


• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days


• an extra day off for The King’s birthday


• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance


• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development


• paid volunteering leave


• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme


• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK


• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets


• death in service benefits


• cycle to work scheme and facilities


• access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations in central London


• access to an employee discounts scheme


• 10 learning days per year


• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)


• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning


GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home and also spends some time in their local office. You’ll agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk