Head of Transformation - Digital Products

BAE Systems - Saudi Arabia for expatriates; Camberley; Hybrid; GBP 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor is seeking a Head of Transformation for Digital Products to drive significant organizational changes. This role involves leading the design and optimisation of Digital Products' operations, managing cost-transformation initiatives, and engaging with executive stakeholders. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in digital transformation and product management, with demonstrated success in coordinating cross-functional teams and driving cultural shifts. This position promises considerable influence and the opportunity to improve efficiency across a substantial operational budget.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Private health plans

Qualifications

• Experience leading large-scale digital transformations in complex organisations.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
• Proven track record owning delivery and simplification outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and optimisation of the Digital Products operating model.
• Own and deliver cost-transformation initiatives.
• Define how Digital Products consume capabilities from Platforms.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Lean techniques

Digital transformation leadership

Product management

Cross-functional team coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Job Title

Head of Transformation - Digital Products

Location

Frimley; Surrey with UK-wide travel. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary

£114,300 + depending on experience plus executive benefits

What you’ll be doing

• Lead the design, rollout and continuous optimisation of the Digital Products operating model, embedding agile, lean and product-led ways of working to measurably improve flow, quality and outcomes
• Own and deliver cost-transformation initiatives, driving rationalisation, simplification and optimisation to realise measurable value
• Coordinate Product Capability Leads, setting standards, playbooks, rhythms and cadences to streamline delivery
• Drive application rationalisation, simplification and licence optimisation to reduce cost and improve efficiency
• Define how Digital Products consume capabilities from Platforms and Foundations, ensuring consistent patterns and effective collaboration
• Set, track and report on KPIs and benefits to measure success and drive continuous improvement
• Lead cultural and process change to create enduring, high-performing product teams
• Build alignment and drive behavioural and structural change across Digital Products, Platforms, Foundations and Business Management, operating effectively without direct line authority through data, influence and credibility
• Actively identify, challenge and stop or reshape low-value work, duplication and over-complexity
• Role-model agile, lean and product-centric behaviours; working in short feedback loops, prioritising effectively, limiting work in progress, and continuously learning and adapting

Your skills and experiences

• Well-versed in Agile and Lean ways of working, with expertise in operating model change, cost take-out and simplification at scale
• Proven experience leading large-scale digital transformations in complex organisations
• Ability to engage, influence, and build credibility with executive and senior stakeholders
• Expertise in product management, application lifecycle management, simplification, and licence optimisation
• Skilled in coordinating cross-functional teams and aligning delivery across multiple business units
• Experience driving cultural and process change to create enduring, high-performing teams
• Proven track record owning delivery, cost and simplification outcomes in complex enterprise environments (this role requires hands‑on ownership, not an advisory‑only or coaching focus)

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Digital Product Transformation Team

The Head of Transformation – Digital Products will report to the Head of Digital Products and play a pivotal role in reshaping BAE Systems’ Digital Products function. This is a rare opportunity to bring together multiple product areas, embed agile, product‑led ways of working, and drive a large‑scale transformation across a £350+ million‑a‑year operation. The role offers the chance to influence senior leaders, simplify and optimise the technology landscape, and deliver real, measurable improvements in efficiency, capability, and the employee digital experience. You will be at the centre of a high‑profile change programme, helping shape how Digital Products operates now and in the future.

Why BAE Systems

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please note that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date

25/12/25

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.