Overview

Genomics England is seeking a Director of Product and Agility to lead our Product and Agile functions. This role drives enterprise-level product strategy, aligns delivery to GDS/DDAT standards, and embeds a modern Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC). As part of the Technology and Product Leadership Team, you will shape cross-functional delivery with Directors across Architecture, Engineering, and Design. You will lead cultural and capability change, maintain the enterprise product roadmap, and ensure alignment to our mission. You will bring strong expertise in agile methods and product management, developing teams and practices that enable transparent, scalable, and accountable delivery across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Leadership: Build and lead the integrated function, embedding best practices and balancing user centred skills with technical excellence in our Product and Agile Management capability. Lead through coaching method to embed that as a culture.
• Strategy: Define, communicate and drive enterprise-level product strategy aligned with service and business goals.
• Transformation: Lead a cultural reset of agile delivery within Service squads, clarifying roles and embedding a modern SDLC. Working with the current Delivery Chapter to reshape and align Agile roles with the wider Programmatic Delivery and Portfolio Management.
• Capability: Manage and develop the team ensuring capability uplift and alignment with DDAT standards.
• Delivery: Ensure high throughput and cadence at squad level through strong ownership and agile practices. Regularly assess agile delivery maturity across squads and teams and ensure appropriate agile method is applied depending on the nature of the work e.g. Kanban vs Scrum vs Waterfall.
• Success Measures: Define and track success metrics for the function, including improvements in delivery throughput, reduction in technical debt, uplift in product and delivery capability, and stakeholder satisfaction. Establish clear 12-18 month goals aligned with GEL's strategic priorities and transformation roadmap.
• Collaboration: Work closely with Service Owners, Design, Research, Engineering, Architecture, and Programme Delivery to ensure cohesive execution.
• Governance: Ensure governance, compliance, and performance management across the function - including delivery assurance, risk and dependency management, and alignment with GEL's broader governance structures. Brings a focus on measurement of outcomes and delivery.
• Advocacy: Represent Product and Delivery strategy to senior stakeholders and advocate for continuous improvement.
• Innovation: Promote a culture of collaboration, learning, and innovation across the product lifecycle.
• Frameworks: Define and embed capability frameworks for Product and Delivery roles.

Context and Mission

Genomics England partners with the NHS to provide whole genome sequencing diagnostics. We also equip researchers to find the causes of disease and develop new treatments - with patients and participants at the heart of it all. Our mission is to continue refining, scaling, and evolving our ability to enable others to deliver genomic healthcare and conduct genomic research. We are accelerating our impact and working with patients, doctors, scientists, government and industry to improve genomic testing, and help researchers access the health data and technology they need to make new medical discoveries and create more effective, targeted medicines for everybody.

Working Arrangements

Genomics England operates a blended working model; most people are expected to come into the office a minimum of 2 times each month. This will vary according to role and will be agreed with your team leader. There is no expectation of full-time office return unless you want to, though some roles require full-time on-site attendance (e.g., lab teams, reception team). Office locations: Canary Wharf, Cambridge and Leeds.

Benefits

• Generous Leave: 30 days' holiday plus bank holidays, additional leave for long service, and up to 30 days of remote working abroad annually (approval required).
• Family-Friendly: Blended working arrangements, flexible working, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave benefits.
• Pension & Financial: Defined contribution pension (Genomics England double-matches up to 10%), Life Assurance (3x salary), Give As You Earn scheme.
• Learning & Development: Individual learning budgets, support for training and certifications, and reimbursement for one annual professional subscription (approval required).
• Recognition & Rewards: Employee recognition programme and referral scheme.
• Health & Wellbeing: Subsidised gym membership, free Headspace account, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme, eye tests, flu jabs.

Equal Opportunities

Genomics England is actively committed to providing and supporting an inclusive environment that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion best practice. We are proud of our diverse community where everyone can come to work and feel welcomed and treated with respect regardless of disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation or social background. Our People policies outline our commitment to inclusivity and we welcome adjustments at interview stage if needed.