Head of Platforms

Ordnance Survey; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid and flexible working options

Competitive salary and pension

OS Maps subscription

Job summary

Ordnance Survey in Southampton is seeking a Head of Platforms to lead the vision, strategy and delivery of a portfolio of digital services across government, business and consumer markets. The role reports to the Chief Product Officer and shapes how OS delivers services at scale.

You will build strong cross‑functional partnerships, drive multi‑year planning and portfolio performance, and develop a high‑performing product team with a focus on data, customer experience and commercial rigour.

Qualifications

• Significant senior leadership experience in digital product/portfolio environments across multiple sectors.
• Proven ability to define and deliver digital service portfolio strategies that drive measurable business value.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience owning performance, prioritisation and investment decisions.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the vision and strategy for OS’s digital services portfolio.
• Own and shape a cohesive portfolio roadmap, aligning with strategic capabilities and market needs.
• Develop and maintain collaborative partnerships across Product, Technology, Data and Customer teams.
• Lead multi-year strategic planning across the portfolio to maximise value and delivery.
• Take accountability for portfolio performance and resolve delivery challenges as needed.
• Remove delivery barriers and drive pace in a complex cross-functional environment.
• Build, lead and develop a high-performing product team with a focus on digital strategy and service delivery.
• Drive continuous service improvement and unlock value through better data and customer experiences.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders internally and externally to support growth.
• Communicate strategy clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Senior leadership

Product strategy

Portfolio management

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Head of Platforms Full Time Salary c£100k (depending on experience) Southampton Hybrid working (4 days in office)

Who we are

We are Ordnance Survey, Great Britain’s national mapping service and a global leader in geospatial data and technology. For over 230 years, our data has helped governments, businesses and communities make better decisions about the world around them.

The Opportunity

We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Platforms to join us in a pivotal leadership role - at the heart of Ordnance Survey’s digital transformation. As Head of Platforms, reporting to the Chief Product Officer, you will define and lead the vision, product strategy and delivery of a portfolio of digital services across our Government, Business and Consumer markets. You will operate at the intersection of Product, Technology, Data and Customer functions, ensuring a cohesive and aligned portfolio that delivers real value today while positioning OS to capitalise on future market opportunities. This is a unique opportunity to shape how OS delivers services at scale, influence strategic direction, and play a key role in driving growth across sectors. You’ll also build and leverage strong internal and external networks - including industry and government stakeholders - to ensure our services remain relevant, competitive and impactful.

What You’ll Do

• Define and lead the vision and strategy for OS’s digital services portfolio, using market insight, customer needs and expert input to drive business outcomes
• Own and shape a cohesive, prioritised portfolio roadmap for our services, aligning with Customer, Data and Technology strategies and capabilities
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships across Product, Technology, Data and Customer teams to deliver shared outcomes
• Lead multi-year strategic planning across the portfolio, ensuring investments are aligned, prioritised and deliver maximum value
• Take accountability for portfolio performance, ensuring delivery against business success measures and acting as an escalation point to resolve challenges
• Remove delivery barriers and drive pace across a complex, cross‑functional environment
• Build, lead and develop a high‑performing product team, growing capability in digital product strategy, product management and service delivery with deep commercial and economic rigor
• Drive a culture of continuous service improvement, unlocking value through innovation, better data and enhanced customer experiences
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders internally and externally, building credibility and insight to support long‑term growth
• Communicate strategy and direction clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences, including senior leaders, partners and policy stakeholders

About You

• Significant experience in senior leadership roles within digital product, service or portfolio management environments, across at least two of B2B, B2G & B2C environments.
• Strong experience in analysing and understanding market needs – with a natural empathy for customers, their contexts and their challenges that leads to valuable strategic insight
• Proven ability to define and deliver digital service portfolio strategies that drive measurable business value
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience owning performance, prioritisation and investment decisions
• Deep experience of working cross‑functionally across Product, Technology, Data and Customer teams, creating alignment and momentum across multiple disciplines around a shared outcome
• The ability to lead and influence at senior levels, building trusted relationships across internal and external stakeholders
• Experience leading and developing high‑performing teams, building capability and empowering others to succeed
• A disciplined, outcome‑focused approach, with the ability to make effective trade‑offs in complex environments
• An understanding of the issues and practices associated with data licensing

Our Principles

• Clear the path – Cut the noise, simplify and remove blockers so work can move at pace
• Seek the story – Listen fully, build understanding, fact‑check assumptions and speak up
• Do what matters – Focus on value, make deliberate stop/start/continue decisions, and recognise the contribution of others

The Rewards

• Competitive salary and pension (OS contribute up to 12.07%)
• Performance‑related bonus (where applicable)
• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Enhanced family leave, including paid partner leave
• Hybrid and flexible working options
• Learning and development support, coaching and mentoring
• Free subscription to OS Maps and access to wellbeing support
• Volunteering leave and matched fundraising

Location & working pattern

We embrace a hybrid working model at OS, supporting flexibility and collaboration. This role is looking for in person presence a minimum of 4 days a week. You’ll be based at our headquarters in Southampton, and we anticipate you will spend an average of four days a week on‑site, working closely with colleagues to drive alignment and impact.

Security & eligibility

• OS conducts pre‑employment checks for anyone made an offer of employment, including identity, right to work, employment history and criminal record checks (via Disclosure & Barring Services (DBS).
• Some of our roles may require additional security vetting.
• We will advise candidates during the recruitment process if additional vetting may be required for that specific role.
• This role requires the right to work in the UK at the time of application.
• Unfortunately, OS cannot provide visa sponsorship for this position.

Inclusion Research

Inclusion Research shows that people from underrepresented groups often hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At Ordnance Survey, we’re committed to building a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace. If this role excites you but your experience doesn’t match every point, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right person for this role or another opportunity at OS. We are happy to consider any reasonable adjustments that people may need during the recruitment process, and you will be asked whether you require any during the application process.

Skills required for this role

• Business Strategies
• Communication
• Employee Relations
• Influencing
• Insight
• Interpersonal Communication
• Long Term Planning
• Mentorship
• People Management
• Product Development
• Stakeholder Management
• Teamwork

Ordnance Survey provides national mapping services for Great Britain and is the world’s most trusted geospatial partner. Our location data and expertise has helped governments make smarter decisions, businesses gain valuable data insight, and everyone experience the world outside for over 225 years. From laptops to hilltops, blue lights to street lights and congestion to relaxation – our location expertise shows the world how to get to a better place.