Lead Product Manager

UCAS; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Purpose-driven work

Hybrid working model

30 days annual leave

Perkbox wellbeing

Cheltenham office parking & gym

Inclusive culture

Employee recognition scheme

Ex-gratia bonus

Job summary

UCAS is seeking a Lead Product Manager to define and execute the product strategy for a portfolio of internal and customer-facing products. You will set the product vision, define roadmaps and priorities, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to translate these into actionable requirements.

Your focus will be on driving an evidence-based approach to create and improve products that are desirable, feasible, viable, and sustainable throughout their lifecycle.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in strategic product management and strategy development.
• Experience in B2B and/or B2C sectors is preferred.
• Commercially aware with an outcomes-driven mindset.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive customer-focused outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the entire product lifecycle from research to in-life performance.
• Create business cases and product roadmaps, prioritising objectives and ROI.

Skills

Strategic product lifecycle

Leadership

User-centered design

Digital optimisation

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Job description

UCAS is at the heart of connecting people to higher education.

UCAS is the world’s leading shared admissions service for higher education. We provide application services for UK universities and colleges as well as delivering a wide range of research, consultancy and advisory services to schools, colleges, careers services, professional bodies and employers.

We’re a successful and fast-growing organisation, which helps hundreds of thousands of people every year. We're committed to delivering a first-class service to all of our customers — they're at the heart of everything we do.

Business Unit Description

• UCAS Media education and industry Sales
• Education and Industry Marketing
• Digital Marketing Operations
• Events
• Partnerships
• Apprenticeships
• Public Affairs, Press and Communications
• Insights

The business unit is set up to deliver against the objectives of UCAS charity and operate UCAS Media (UCAS’s commercial subsidiary) to help fund UCAS’s charitable operations. For the charity, our objective is to provide everyone with the information, advice and guidance they need to make informed decisions on their next steps. We deliver on this via our media ecosystem which consists of information, advice and guidance on ucas.com, our social media feeds across various channels, email, live events and webinars.

For UCAS Media, our business objective is to generate revenue through paid collaborations with higher education providers who wish to improve their position in the market, and commercial brands who want to reach students. All brands wishing to use our media ecosystem and insight services must align with our framework. All profits generated are gift aided to UCAS the charity and in turn fund the charitable objectives, such as our recent announcement that students in receipt of free school meals will no longer need to pay the UCAS application fee.

About The Role

As a Lead Product Manager, you will define and execute the product strategy for a portfolio of internal and customer-facing products, aligning with business objectives and customer needs. You will set the product vision, define roadmaps and priorities, and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to translate these into actionable requirements. Your focus will be on driving an evidence-based approach to create and improve products that are desirable, feasible, viable, and sustainable throughout their lifecycle. You will lead the development of robust product management practices, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs. This role requires strong leadership and collaboration skills to guide multi-disciplinary teams effectively.

Contractual Hours

35.00

Key accountabilities

• Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the entire product lifecycle from research to in-life performance management, ensuring internal and external customer needs are central to decision-making.
• Strategy and Roadmap Development: Create business cases and product strategies aligned with strategic goals, market insights, and customer needs. Develop and own product roadmaps and backlogs that prioritise business objectives.

Skills, qualifications, and experience

You will have a proven track record of achievements in strategic product management and strategy development, which could have been gained in one or more business sectors (B2B and B2C). You should be highly commercially aware, outcomes driven and innovative, whilst being motivated by UCAS’ vision and values. This role requires working in close collaboration with a wide range of colleagues across the business and with external audiences.

• A thorough understanding of strategic product lifecycle management and good practice.
• A passion for understanding customers’ needs and motivations and a proven ability to deliver high quality products that realise these.
• Demonstrable experience of taking products from idea through to development, to successful market adoption, and demonstrable experience of optimising existing products to improve reach and revenue.
• A strong understanding of user-centred design and digital optimisation practices.
• Strong team-player, with the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and demonstrate empathy to build collaborative and collegiate working relationships.
• Excellent communication skills and stakeholder management, with proven ability to influence very senior stakeholders and articulate and promote customer and business benefits. Active listening and influencing skills are required.

Package

Salary - up to £65,000

• Purpose-driven work in a charity-led organisation connecting people to education and opportunity
• Internal training, mentoring, and access to industry-recognised certifications through our development academies
• Hybrid working model built on trust and flexibility, with a 35-hour week and flexible contracts
• 30 days annual leave, 3 concessionary days over Christmas, bank holidays, and the option to purchase additional leave
• Everyday wellbeing support through Perkbox, offering discounts and wellness tools
• Onsite facilities including a subsidised gym, café, and free parking at our Cheltenham office
• Inclusive culture supported by employee networks, wellbeing champions, and Mental Health First Aiders
• Recognition and reward through our quarterly employee scheme and an ex-gratia bonus for going above and beyond

Studies have shown that some groups of people are less likely to apply to a role unless they tick every box. At UCAS we recognise that talent comes in various forms and we are committed to delivering a fair and equitable recruitment process where applicants have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills.