Head of Transformation - Digital Products

BAE Systems; Frimley; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense company is seeking a Head of Transformation - Digital Products to lead a large-scale transformation initiative. You will design and optimise the Digital Products operating model, drive cost trans formations, and influence senior stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in Agile and Lean methodologies, along with a track record of delivering measurable outcomes in complex organizations. This role includes UK-wide travel and offers hybrid working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and wellbeing benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading large-scale digital transformations.
• Ability to influence and build credibility with senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on ownership of delivery and outcomes in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and optimisation of Digital Products operating model.
• Drive cost-transformation initiatives for measurable value.
• Coordinate delivery standards across multiple business units.
• Measure success through KPIs and continuous improvement.

Skills

Agile expertise

Lean management skills

Stakeholder engagement

Cross-functional team coordination

Cultural change leadership

Job description

Job Description - Head of Transformation - Digital Products (00131829)

Job Description

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

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)

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 be aware 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 at 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.