Assistant Director - Digital & Product

whg; Walsall; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

27 days annual leave

Defined benefit pension scheme

Health cash plan

Shopping and leisure discounts

Job summary

A housing association in Walsall seeks an Assistant Director of Digital & Product to lead transformation across digital services and product development. You will set the strategic vision, manage multidisciplinary teams, and champion agile practices. The role requires expertise in programme management, digital product lifecycle, and stakeholder influence. Enjoy a competitive salary, 27 days leave, and a commitment to work-life balance. Join us to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.
• Experience leading digital, product, or technology functions successfully.
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to drive digital transformations.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership across digital services and product delivery.
• Own and drive the digital, product and platform roadmap.
• Champion agile product management and oversee modern engineering practices.
• Manage budgets and ensure digital investment delivers clear value.

Skills

Programme/project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP)

Agile delivery qualification (e.g. Scrum Master)

Experience in managing complex digital portfolios

Understanding of digital product lifecycle management

Strong commercial and financial acumen

Ability to influence senior stakeholders

Excellent communication skills

Education

Recognised programme/project management qualification

Experience in software development practices

Job description

Assistant Director of Digital & Product

Location: Walsall, West Midlands

Contract: Full Time, Permanent, 37 hours per week

Closing Date: 9th January 2026

Interview Dates: 20th January 2026 (Teams) and 6th February 2026 (In‑Person)

Shape the future of Digital – Lead Transformation!

Are you an inspiring digital leader ready to drive transformation at scale? We’re looking for an exceptional Assistant Director of Digital & Product to set the strategic vision for digital services, product development and modern engineering across whg.

This is a unique opportunity to lead digital innovation. You will provide senior strategic leadership across digital services, enterprise platforms and product delivery.

You will embed design thinking, agile product management and modern engineering practices across the organisation aligning transformation programmes, product roadmaps and enterprise platform strategies under a cohesive and ambitious vision.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior leadership across digital services, enterprise platforms, product delivery and customer‑focused innovation.
• Own and drive the digital, product and platform roadmap, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and long‑term transformation goals.
• Embed design thinking and user‑centred design across all digital and product initiatives.
• Champion agile product management, ensuring teams deliver iteratively, efficiently and with measurable impact.
• Oversee modern engineering practices, ensuring platforms and products are secure, scalable and high‑performing.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams, including Product Managers, Delivery Managers, Engineers and Digital Specialists.
• Drive integration and interoperability across core systems, ensuring enterprise platforms work seamlessly together.
• Promote innovation and emerging technologies, including AI, automation and modern digital tools.
• Ensure governance, standards and best practice are embedded across digital and product development.
• Collaborate with senior leaders to translate business needs into digital solutions that improve customer and colleague experience.
• Manage budgets, performance and resources, ensuring digital investment delivers clear value and measurable outcomes.
• Oversee risk management and cyber considerations, ensuring digital services are secure and resilient.
• Represent digital and product strategy at executive forums, boards and transformation steering groups.

Qualifications

• Recognised programme/project management qualification (e.g. PRINCE2, MSP) and/or Agile delivery qualification (e.g. Scrum Master), or substantial experience in managing complex digital portfolios.
• Experience of software development practices and lifecycles, including Agile/SCRUM, DevOps, UX/UI, MVP, and customer‑centred digital service design.
• Experience leading digital, product, or technology functions in complex organisations, with a proven track record of delivering large‑scale digital and organisational transformation.
• A deep understanding of digital product lifecycle management and modern software delivery approaches, including Agile, DevOps, and continuous delivery.
• Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience managing capital and revenue budgets and securing value from investment in technology.
• Highly organised, with the ability to manage competing priorities and make strategic decisions that deliver early and continuous value.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, both internal and external, to align strategic priorities and secure commitment to digital and AI innovation.
• Excellent communication skills, with experience producing clear, compelling content for executive audiences (e.g. Boards) and delivering impactful presentations.
• Proven experience building, coaching, and leading high‑performing, multidisciplinary teams, including technical, product, and early‑career professionals.
• Demonstrated ability to use data and insights to drive strategic change, prioritise investment, and improve performance across business areas.
• Knowledge of AI and automation technologies and their practical application within digital products and services.
• Awareness of digital ethics, data protection legislation (e.g. UK GDPR), sustainability, and inclusive technology practices.
• A strong strategic mindset able to inspire and align others to deliver complex, organisation‑wide digital and product initiatives.

What’s in it for you?

In return, you will receive a competitive salary, 27 days annual leave (plus Christmas shut‑down), a defined benefit pension scheme, health cash plan, a range of shopping and leisure discounts.

We are output focused and flexible and believe in giving colleagues the right balance of autonomy and support to enable them to work to their full potential. Despite the high expectation for performance and delivery, we are committed to ensuring colleagues have a healthy work‑life balance and are able to work in agile ways which support them.

About us

At whg, we are dedicated to providing affordable homes across the Midlands and creating sustainable communities. We believe everyone has the right to a safe and secure home, which is the foundation for a successful life. Our values— Trustworthy, Respectful, Accountable, Collaborative and Excellent — guide our work and our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We have been recognised as a top employer in the prestigious Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025. The awards celebrate the top employers in the UK who are leading the way in employee pride, job satisfaction and wellbeing, as well as reward and recognition.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, committed to providing opportunities and support for all applicants, including those with disabilities.

Interested in joining our team? Visit our website www.whg.uk.com and read Our 2030 Plan.

whg is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our customers and communities. Please note that for some roles, a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required as part of our pre‑employment screening process.