Product and Platforms Lead

Blood Cancer UK; London; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health charity is seeking a Product and Platforms Lead to guide the development of critical digital and data systems. This role involves setting technical strategies, managing a team, and acting as the Data Protection Officer. The ideal candidate will have experience in platform strategy, strong communication skills, and a track record in user-centered design. Join us to contribute towards our mission in improving lives through innovative technology.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Generous pension scheme and Life Assurance

Enhanced parental leave

Wellbeing support

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience leading digital platform strategy and product development.
• Strong understanding of compliance and risk management in regulated environments.
• Track record of managing external partners and in-house teams.

Responsibilities

• Set and maintain the technical vision for digital platforms.
• Oversee the development and integration of digital and data systems.
• Serve as the charity's Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Skills

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Clear communication

Tools

CRM systems

API integrations

Job description

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Product and Platforms Lead

We are looking for an experienced Product and Platforms Lead to head up the team responsible for our core digital and data platforms - including the CRM, website, and other key systems. These platforms are critical to how people access support, engage with our work, and how teams deliver services across the charity. You will set the technical strategy, ensuring platforms are well-integrated, user-focused, high-performing, and aligned with organisational priorities. You’ll also play a key role in exploring emerging technologies, such as AI, to enhance our platforms and services over time.

This role plays a vital part in enabling our strategy by ensuring our systems support effective, joined-up, and responsive ways of working. The Product and Platforms Lead also holds responsibility as the charity’s named Data Protection Officer (DPO), providing leadership on data privacy, compliance, and information governance.

Our culture and benefits package are award-winning, and our staff survey indicates we’re a great place to work. Office attendance is flexible, with an expectation of about one day a month in our London office, depending on business needs.

We are the UK's specialist blood cancer charity, with a clear vision: we’re here to beat blood cancer. Since 1960, we have invested over £500 million in blood cancer research in the UK. Our efforts have improved survival rates and quality of life. We’ve been working to beat blood cancer for over 50 years, and we won’t stop until we succeed. Join our story and help us change the world.

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We welcome approaches from individuals from underrepresented groups, including minority communities and applicants with disabilities, to reflect the community we serve and broaden our perspectives.

Application Deadline: August 11, 2025

Department: Organisational Effectiveness

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: London/Hybrid

Compensation: £53,500 - £55,000 / year

Key Responsibilities

Main Accountabilities

1. Set and maintain the technical vision and roadmap for Blood Cancer UK’s digital and data platforms, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and user needs.
2. Identify and assess emerging technologies, including AI, that could improve platform capability, personalisation, or user experience, and work with colleagues to test their potential in a safe, strategic way.
3. Oversee the development and integration of digital and data systems.
4. Act as senior decision-maker for platform architecture and product direction.
5. Lead and develop a team of product owners, supporting effective backlog management, prioritisation, and continuous improvement cycles.
6. Manage relationships with external technology partners, freelancers, and agencies - ensuring quality, delivery, and value for money.
7. Ensure all platforms meet high standards of accessibility, GDPR compliance, security, uptime, and performance.
8. Serve as the organisation’s Data Protection Officer (DPO), leading on data privacy, compliance, and information governance.
9. Promote platform governance best practices, including roadmap visibility and prioritisation frameworks.
10. Manage platform budgets and reporting, ensuring cost-effectiveness and strategic alignment.
11. Act as a strategic partner across the charity, advising colleagues on platform-related risks, opportunities, and trade-offs.
12. Manage, lead, and develop the product and platforms team to ensure excellent engagement and performance, achieving objectives.

All employees promote the organisation’s vision, mission, and core values, actively promoting equality, diversity, and inclusivity. This includes attending and assisting at events and activities as required, including occasional evening and weekend work. Employees are expected to follow policies and procedures and do any reasonable tasks required by their manager.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

Skills

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make confident decisions in complex, fast-moving environments.
• Skilled at setting product and platform direction that balances user needs, technical sustainability, and organisational priorities.
• Clear and credible communicator, able to build trust with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Knowledge

• Strong understanding of digital and data platform architecture, including CRM, CMS, data pipelines, and API-led integrations.
• Strategic awareness of digital governance, compliance, and risk management — particularly in regulated environments including GDPR.
• Practical understanding of user-centred design and accessibility, and how to embed these principles in platform development.
• Awareness of emerging technology trends and their potential to support a mission-led organisation.

Experience

• Experience leading digital platform strategy, product development, and integration at an organisational level.
• Success in setting and delivering product roadmaps, and shaping platform evolution through emerging technologies to support strategic goals and user needs.
• Managing external partners and in-house teams to deliver sustainable platform improvements.

About Blood Cancer UK

Flexible Working & Benefits

We welcome conversations about part-time working, job shares, and all forms of flexible working from application stage. Contact us to discuss flexible working options.

Benefits include:

• 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Generous pension scheme and Life Assurance
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave, study leave, and a day off to move house
• Wellbeing support via our Wellbeing Hub
• Our Academy for CPD, including mentoring and focus days
• Cycle to work and season ticket loans
• Opportunity for sabbaticals

Full details are available on our website.

Location

Our hybrid working model combines remote work with regular office attendance, which will be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply

Send a CV and cover letter explaining your interest and suitability. Keep it concise (1-2 pages). Do not include photos or graphics. Details about our recruitment process are on our website. Early applications are encouraged as roles may close early.

Why Work at Blood Cancer UK?

We are the 9th best charity to work for in the UK (Best Companies 2021). Join us to contribute to our mission to beat blood cancer, supported by a collaborative community dedicated to impactful research and patient support.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity. We encourage applications from underrepresented groups, including minority communities and those with disabilities. Our policies support a fair and inclusive application and interview process.