Overview

Join our Digital and Data Services team as Head of Product. Lead CCS's shift to a product-led, customer-focused organisation, recruit and develop a team of Product Managers, set best practices, and collaborate across CCS and wider government to deliver value. Ready to deliver digital transformation with a national impact? Apply today.

Note: A registration link for an event is available, and guidance for applicants is provided below.

Team and Directorate

The Digital & Data Services (DDS) directorate drives CCS’s digital transformation, supporting over £30bn of public sector procurement annually. We are building a world-class digital capability to revolutionise how the public sector buys common goods and services. You will join an expanding Product and User Centred Design team that includes service designers, user researchers, interaction designers and accessibility specialists.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide team members, manage performance to ensure a high-performing team, and support staff development through regular feedback.
• Develop and implement organisation-wide product strategies that embed a deep understanding of customer and user needs throughout the product design and delivery lifecycle, ensuring alignment with the GOV.UK Service Standard and government digital standards.
• Provide visionary leadership and clear direction to the product community, fostering best practices in user-centred product and service development, and championing inclusive, accessible design principles.
• Build strong partnerships with senior leaders and stakeholders to align product strategies with organisational goals.
• Support, coach and mentor product managers at all levels, focusing on recruitment, development, performance management, and career progression.
• Champion ongoing professional development and a culture of learning and innovation within product teams and across the wider organisation and government, collaborating with other communities and leadership to advocate for product management standards.
• Lead on setting and raising standards for product management across the organisation, establishing frameworks, policies, and performance metrics that drive the delivery of quality products that meet user needs and organisational outcomes.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Proven experience leading product strategy and providing clear leadership across multiple product teams to ensure delivery of value and alignment with organisational goals.
• Strong ability to coach, mentor, and manage product managers, overseeing recruitment, development, performance, and career progression.
• Expertise in applying user-centred insights and promoting inclusive, accessible product design aligned with government digital standards and the GOV.UK Service Standard.
• Skilled in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with senior leaders, stakeholders, and other communities to advocate for product management interests.
• Experience setting and raising standards for product management within an organisation, including establishing frameworks, policies, and performance metrics to ensure quality and outcomes-driven products.
• Leadership, Communications and Influencing, Developing Self and Others, Making Effective Decisions.
• Technical skills: Applying user centred insights, Product leadership, Strategic ownership, Agile and Lean practices.

Working Arrangements

CCS offers a flexible working model with a mix of home and office working. Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the listed office locations. A minimum of 26 days per quarter in CCS office locations or off-site meetings is expected, pro rata for part-time staff.

Salary and Benefits

Salary: £72,771 with a pension contribution of £21,081 to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Generous pension scheme
• A discretionary non-contractual performance-related bonus
• Hybrid working (remote plus office)
• Flexi time (available for B1-B6)
• Minimum 25 days annual leave up to 30 days plus bank holidays

Explore how we reward your work and learn more in the candidate pack. The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent. See the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy for more information.

Other Information

Security: Successful candidates must meet the appropriate security requirements (Counter-Terrorist Check). See our vetting charter. Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks apply for those working with government assets.

Nationality requirements: This role is broadly open to UK nationals, certain Commonwealth and EU/EEA nationals, and other eligible groups with right to work in the UK, including those under the EUSS. Full details are provided in the job posting.

Registration and notes: A link is provided for attendance registration at events; applicants should ensure information is truthful and accurately reflects their own experience. A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, and applicants placed on a reserve list may be contacted for future vacancies; contact recruitment@crowncommercial.gov.uk to be removed from the list.

Feedback: Feedback is provided for candidates who attend an interview or assessment.