Product Lead (Defence)

Kainos; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking a Product Lead to own and manage product backlogs, lead agile teams, and drive commercial opportunities. The position requires extensive experience in bespoke software delivery, particularly for external customers, and strong knowledge of agile methodologies. A proven track record in team management and stakeholder engagement is essential. This role is vital for maintaining product quality and ensuring effective requirements gathering. Join Kainos in Birmingham and lead innovative initiatives in a diverse work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a client-facing role in a consulting environment is essential.
• Proven ability to lead and promote good product management practices across teams.
• Experience leading collaborative breakdown of goals into deliverable work.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end backlog for a product and manage its quality.
• Lead business analysts and product consultants on projects.
• Support engagement with product stakeholders and manage expectations.

Skills

Experience in bespoke software delivery

UK Defence Industry experience

Active SC clearance

Experience leading product teams

Strong commercial awareness

Experience coaching in agile techniques

Job description

About This Role

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators – driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting‑edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people‑first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

Role Overview

As a Product Lead at Kainos, you will play a lead role across one or more multi‑disciplinary agile delivery teams. You will own the end‑to‑end backlog for a product, responsible for its overall quality and maturity. You will lead the business analysts and product consultants on your project, ensuring that the processes for requirements‑gathering and prioritisation are operating effectively.

You will work with delivery managers and solution architects to shape the approach for the work you and the wider team undertakes. You proactively seek commercial opportunities and take a lead role in product‑level commercial negotiations.

You will actively support the engagement with product or programme‑level business stakeholders, gaining their buy‑in and managing their expectations. You will act as a visible leader within the consulting capability, owning the delivery of consulting initiatives. You’ll also manage, coach and develop a small number of staff, with a focus on managing employee performance.

Minimum Requirements

• Experience in bespoke software delivery, operating as part of an agile team working for an external customer (experience in a client‑facing role in a consulting environment is a must‑have).
• UK Defence Industry experience.
• Active SC clearance.
• Responsible for owning the end‑to‑end product backlog and taking responsibility for story quality and maturity.
• Experience in shaping the approach taken in a range of phases of the software development lifecycle – such as analysis, acceptance, launch and live ops. Responsible for ensuring that requirements‑gathering, refinement and prioritisation processes are effective.
• Experience devising goal‑oriented roadmaps, gaining buy‑in from stakeholders and instilling a focus on MVP. Experience leading the collaborative breakdown of goals into small pieces of value‑delivering work.
• Experience leading product teams, ensuring the product vision and goals are understood so that the scope is managed by the team effectively.
• Proven ability to lead, providing direction and promoting good product management practices across one or more agile teams.
• Experience coaching and mentoring clients and colleagues in agile techniques and best practices.
• Proven ability of strong team management skills, including effectively managing, mentoring and coaching members of your team and wider community.
• Strong commercial awareness and active participation in revenue or sales‑generating activity.
• Actively supports and builds relationships with product and programme‑level business stakeholders.
• Facilitates workshops with senior stakeholders, negotiating conflicting viewpoints and achieving buy‑in for new initiatives.
• Experience implementing appropriate tools/standards/techniques for business analysis and requirements gathering, securing appropriate buy‑in from our internal teams and the client.
• Responsible for working with delivery leads and solution architects to manage scope within commercial constraints, such as cost restrictions or project deadlines.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of relevant technologies and architecture concepts.

Equality and Diversity

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are. We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way. If you require accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out so that our recruitment process can be tailored to your needs.