Head of Product - Financial Services - Contract

Morgan McKinley; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Product for a leading financial services organisation in Ireland. The role sits at the intersection of product, operations, technology, risk and compliance, and requires strong governance and product development capabilities.

You will lead the Product Function, sponsor critical initiatives, deliver compelling propositions, and drive excellence in management practices across regulated and unregulated portfolios.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in product management, governance, or leadership within regulated financial services.
• Proven track record leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex product changes.
• Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks and customer outcomes.
• Experience developing and launching products in regulated markets.
• Commercial mindset balancing customer needs with regulatory and business goals.
• Strong analytical abilities for business cases, growth, and performance reporting.
• Excellent communication and organization skills in a structured environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Product Function and provide strategic oversight of governance, management, and long-term strategy.
• Chair and manage product governance forums and monthly review processes.
• Own and mature the product lifecycle framework from design through retirement.
• Drive performance, profitability, and regulatory compliance across products.
• Lead strategic and tactical proposition development for growth and cross-selling.
• Contribute to annual business planning, budgeting, and robust business cases.

Skills

Leadership & Collaboration

Regulatory Expertise

Product Launch History

Commercial Acumen

Analytical Skills

Communication & Organization

Education

Professional qualifications in business/financial services/product management/insurance

Job description

Head of Product - Financial Services - 12 month Contract Role

We are seeking an experienced Interim Head of Product to lead the Product Function for a leading financial services organization during a period of continued maturity and growth. This role sits at the critical intersection of product, operations, technology, risk, compliance, sales, digital, and business development.

In this role you will be responsible for ensuring strong product governance, commercial performance, product development, and regulatory compliance across a diverse portfolio of both regulated and unregulated products. The successful candidate will lead the Product Function, sponsor key initiatives, develop compelling product propositions, and drive excellence in product management practices across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Strategy: Lead the Product Function and provide strategic oversight of product governance, management, and long-term product strategy.
• Governance & Oversight: Chair and manage product governance forums, including the Product Monthly Business Review process.
• Lifecycle Management: Own and mature the product lifecycle framework, ensuring robust governance from initial product design through to retirement.
• Performance & Compliance: Drive overall product performance, balancing commercial outcomes, customer satisfaction, profitability, and regulatory compliance.
• Proposition Development: Lead strategic and tactical product proposition developments to identify opportunities for growth, innovation, cross-selling, and upselling.
• Business Planning: Contribute actively to annual business planning, budgeting, and the development of robust business cases.

Key Skills & Requirements

• Professional Experience: Significant experience in product management, product governance, and/or commercial leadership within a regulated financial services environment ( banking or insurance).
• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams and delivering complex product or business change initiatives.
• Regulatory Expertise: Strong understanding of regulatory frameworks, compliance structures, and customer outcomes within regulated markets.
• Product Launch History: Demonstrated experience successfully developing and launching new products and services into a regulated market.
• Commercial Acumen: A strong commercial mindset with the ability to balance customer needs, regulatory requirements, and business objectives.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with experience in business case development, growth strategies, and performance reporting.
• Communication & Organization: Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities in a highly structured environment.
• Qualifications: Relevant professional qualifications in business, financial services, product management, or insurance are highly desirable.