Associate Product Manager
Government Digital Services -
Who we are
At the Government Digital Service (GDS), our mission is to build a simple, joined-up and personalised experience of government for everyone. Using our unique position at the centre of government, we develop services that work for the user, however complex the underlying systems may be. We believe that ensuring things work for end users is the only way to realise the efficiencies that come with digital transformation.Our focus is on delivering five missions in the following areas:
1. GOV.UK as the single and trusted online destination for government information and services
2. Joined-up services that solve whole problems and span multiple departments
3. A simple digital identity solution that works for everyone
4. Common tools and expert services
5. Joined-up data across departments
You can read more about these missions and our vision for the transformation of government in our 2021-2024 strategy
What you'll do
Our GDS Advisory team
GDS Advisory team plays a central role in getting GDS Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) expertise out across government to support digital delivery and transformation. We run dozens of missions with government organisations every quarter, drawing together temporary delivery teams or offering expert advice. We help improve capability in digital delivery by proactively identifying gaps and supporting government organisations to fulfil these needs.
We are currently building our delivery management team to deliver assignments across government, and this role will be crucial in supporting, growing and quality assuring the work delivered by that team.
As an Associate Product Manager you will get the opportunity to work in a range of short and medium-term placements across different departments across the Government’s Digital Data and Technology (DDaT) function. You will be contributing to the delivery of these assignments, helping to make people’s interactions with government simpler, clearer and faster. You will be responsible for working to the Government Service Standard (link to Service Standard), and work with teams to make recommendations on what changes to the product or processes will improve the user experience.
To learn more about what Associate Product Managers do in government, please review the DDaT Capability Framework.
As an Associate Product Manager you’ll:
- develop a deep understanding of the users’ needs and champion these in assignments
- work with other product managers and DDat multidisciplinary colleagues, supporting iterative and user-led design
- engage with users and stakeholders in a range of settings
- help define, explain and iterate product visions that are compelling to the service users, team and stakeholders
- support the management of product backlogs, writing user stories and making decisions about prioritisation based on evidence
- set measurable goals for product teams and reporting against these to demonstrate progress against stated benefits
- challenge and improve disproportionate organisational processes where these impact the pace of a team. Influencing and make positive changes to the organisation
Who you'll be
We’re interested in people who:
- have experience in a digital product environment in a multi disciplinary team (not necessarily working as a Product Manager, but any relevant experience which prioritises the delivery of value to users early, and often)
- have strong verbal, written and visual communication skills that you are able to tailor to the needs of the audience
- have experience of engaging with users and identifying how their needs can and are being met by products and services
- are familiar with monitoring and reporting measurable performance targets
- have set up and managed a backlog of work, and have been responsible for setting the priority order
How to apply
In order to be considered for this role please ensure that you demonstrate all of the essential skills listed in the ‘who you are’ section above, with examples from your own experience, in your cover letter.
If you do not provide these examples you will not be progressed to the next stage of the process.
The selection process as a standard for all of our roles consists of:
- An application screening process - Simply, hit apply. We only ask for a CV and Cover Letter up to 750 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “who you’ll be” section above.
- An interview.
Depending on the volume of applications we may also include an additional stage, which you will be invited to should you pass the application screening stage
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability status.
A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates that do not pass the interview, however, have demonstrated an acceptable standard will be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.
GDS offers hybrid working for all employees. This means that everyone does some working from home/remote working and also spends some time in their local office. You will agree to your hybrid working arrangement with your line manager in line with your preferences and business needs.
Clearance information
This role will require BPSS security clearance. You must meet national security vetting requirements you will normally need to have been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the date of application.
Additional information
The benefits of working at GDS
At GDS we support, encourage and respect our people and our teams - their individuality, their perspectives and what they have to say. Together, we are bound by the mission to achieve digital transformation, the future, accelerated.
- Truly flexible working and flexi time
- Career progression
- Paid volunteering leave
- Access to employee assistance programme
- Career coaching
- Advances on pay
- Death in service benefits
- Cycle to work scheme / facilities
- Access to children's holiday play schemes across different locations
How you'll be assessed
In the Civil Service, we use our Success Profiles. For each role we advertise we consider what you will need to demonstrate to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We will be looking at your experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the specific job role. We may assess your ability, strength, experience, technical/specialist skills and behaviours.
For this role the following behaviours are the most relevant:
Things you need to know
You can find out about the application process and practical details like our office locations on the things you need to know page.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our organisation. You can find out more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion and read our equal opportunities statement on our Diversity and Inclusion page.
Redeployment Interview Scheme
Civil Service employees (including Senior Civil Servants and Crown Arms Length Bodies) who are at risk of redundancy and who meet the minimum selection criteria in the job specification are guaranteed to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. Selection will be on merit and at-risk candidates will be able to self-identify during the application stage,
For all guaranteed interview schemes, there may be exceptions made on reasons of time/resource for high-volume recruitment where the vacancy manager may decide to select the candidates who best meet the minimum criteria rather than all of those that meet the minimum criteria.
