Head of Product Development and Operations

WRK Digital; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working: 2 days in Manchester

Job summary

WRK digital is partnering on a high-impact Head of Product Development & Operations role in Manchester. You will shape the product delivery framework, translate concepts into clear priorities, and drive reliable releases across Product, Engineering and QA.

You’ll lead modern software development, improve delivery operating models, and foster a pragmatic culture focused on outcomes with a strong emphasis on collaboration with senior leadership and external teams.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to lead software product development and delivery in a B2B or technology-led environment.
• Experience introducing or improving a delivery operating model (SDLC/PDLC).
• Ability to challenge estimates and technical assumptions constructively.
• Track record of improving release, deployment, and delivery practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead and improve the software product development and delivery framework.
• Turn product concepts into clear, developer-ready priorities.
• Establish planning, estimation and prioritisation practices.
• Create visibility around capacity, progress, and release commitments.
• Coordinate delivery across Product, Engineering, QA and business.
• Strengthen testing, peer review, security and release standards.
• Introduce delivery and engineering effectiveness measures.
• Improve collaboration across internal, distributed and third-party teams.
• Support customer onboarding and commercial delivery commitments.
• Build an accountable, pragmatic delivery culture.

Skills

Delivery leadership

SDLC/PDLC

Agile/Scrum/Kanban

Stakeholder mgmt

Engineering coordination

Job description

Head of Product Development & Operations

WRK digital is the exclusive recruitment partner for a growing B2B software business looking to appoint a Head of Product Development & Operations.

This is a high-impact leadership role for someone who can bring structure, clarity and predictability to software product development.

Working closely with the senior leadership team, you’ll translate product ideas and technical direction into clear priorities, well-defined backlogs and reliable releases. You’ll help talented engineering teams deliver effectively, without adding unnecessary process or bureaucracy.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading and improving the software product development and delivery framework
• Turning product concepts into clear, developer-ready priorities
• Establishing effective planning, estimation and prioritisation practices
• Creating greater visibility around capacity, progress and release commitments
• Coordinating delivery across Product, Engineering, QA and the wider business
• Strengthening testing, peer review, security and release standards
• Introducing meaningful delivery and engineering effectiveness measures
• Improving collaboration across internal, distributed and third-party teams
• Supporting customer onboarding and commercial delivery commitments
• Building an accountable, pragmatic and high-performing delivery culture

What we’re looking for

You’ll be a technically credible leader with experience improving software development and delivery within a B2B SaaS or technology-led business.

You may currently be a Head of Development, Head of Engineering, Head of Software Delivery, Engineering Manager or Technical Delivery Lead.

You’ll bring

• Strong knowledge of modern software engineering and product development
• Experience introducing or improving an SDLC, PDLC or delivery operating model
• The credibility to challenge estimates and technical assumptions constructively
• Experience improving release, deployment and delivery practices
• Knowledge of Agile, Scrum or Kanban
• Experience structuring, scaling or coordinating engineering teams
• Strong stakeholder management across Product, Technology and senior leadership
• A practical, low-ego approach focused on outcomes

Experience within regulated environments such as FinTech, healthcare, insurance, cyber security or another regulated environment would be advantageous.

The opportunity

This is a genuine opportunity to shape how a scaling software business develops and delivers its products.

You’ll have the autonomy to establish the standards, structure and operating rhythm needed to turn ideas into reliable software, combining strategic influence with practical ownership.

Package and location

• Hybrid working: Two days per week in the Manchester office