Lead Product Manager

Job description

We are seeking a Lead Product Manager in the GDS Product and Services directorate. These are unique roles in government leading nation scale products that will be used by millions of citizens, across government departments and the wider public sector. This includes products such as GOV.UK Mailbox - our new communication platform for citizens, and GOV.UK app - which will provide a personalised experience for citizens interacting across government.

A lead product manager is responsible for a product portfolio or end-to-end service, and the delivery of product quality and value. They work with teams to identify, implement and improve strategies and tactics for their products. They are a member of the management team for their product area and provide product leadership and direction across multiple teams.

As a Lead Product Manager for GDS, you’ll:

• own and be responsible for developing and articulating a clear vision, proposition and roadmap for your product area, aligned to the wider product strategy 
• lead multidisciplinary product teams day to day in running, supporting and continuously improving products so that they meet user needs
• manage the prioritisation for your product, balancing live service needs with continual improvement
• lead teams in assessing new information about the needs of potential users of the platform, and making decisions about which to meet
• promote the platform across the public sector
• coordinate product development with other products, disciplines and teams across the GDS and the government
• maintain knowledge of the changing digital and technology landscapes, and the opportunities they provide to improve the delivery of public services in the UK
• coach and mentor other product managers in your areas, identifying learning and development opportunities for individuals and teams
• support the Head of Product with development and implementation of wider product strategy

Person specification

The Lead Product Manager role will be assessed against our GDaD Capability Framework. In addition to below, please review the skills that will be assessed here.

We’re interested in people who have experience of:

• product managing high‑volume digital products in a fast‑paced, agile environment, working with multidisciplinary teams from discovery through to delivery and continuous, data‑led improvement of live services
• owning and evolving a product’s roadmap and priorities, ensuring a balance between new delivery and reliable, effective live service operation
• developing and improving a product’s operational maturity as well as ensuring a consistent approach to user and technical operational support
• leading and directing stakeholder engagement, using strong communication skills to align on needs, priorities and delivery decisions
• contributing to the development of product and commercial strategies, helping to secure funding and ongoing support
• working in or with public sector organisations, including cross-organisational working and navigating spend control processes and procurement
• recruiting, coaching and line management of product managers, identifying learning and development opportunities for individuals and teams

Benefits

There are many benefits of working at GDS, including:

• flexible hybrid working with flexi-time and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
• a Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to a maximum of 30 days
• an extra day off for the King’s birthday
• an in-year bonus scheme to recognise high performance
• career progression and coaching, including a training budget for personal development
• a focus on wellbeing with access to an employee assistance programme
• job satisfaction from making government services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
• advances on pay, including for travel season tickets
• death in service benefits
• cycle to work scheme and facilities
• access to an employee discounts scheme
• 10 learning days per year
• volunteering opportunities (5 special leave days per year)
• access to a suite of learning activities through Civil Service learning

Any move to Government Digital Service from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk 

Office attendance
The Department operates a discretionary hybrid working policy, which provides for a combination of working hours from your place of work and from your home in the UK. The current expectation for staff is to attend the office or non-home based location for 40-60% of the time over the accounting period.
DSIT does not normally offer full home working (i.e. working at home); but we do offer a variety of flexible working options (including occasionally working from home).

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

The standard selection process for roles at GDS consists of:

• a simple application screening process - We only ask for a CV and cover letter of up to 500 words. Important tip - please ensure that your cover letter includes how you meet the skills and experience listed in the “person specification” section above
• A short phone interview
• A 75 minute interview based on the behaviour and competencies listed and your experience. The interview will include the following elements: 
  • A presentation based on topic provided in advance
  • A series of interview questions

Depending on how many applications we get, there might also be an extra stage before the video interview, for example a phone interview or a technical exercise.

In the event we receive a high volume of applications, we will conduct the initial sift against the lead criteria which is: 

• product managing high‑volume digital products in a fast‑paced, agile environment, working with multidisciplinary teams from discovery through to delivery and continuous, data‑led improvement of live services

In the Civil Service, we use Success Profiles to evaluate your skills and ability. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, increases performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We’ll be assessing your technical abilities, skills, experience and behaviours that are relevant to this role.

For this role we’ll be assessing you against the following Civil Service Behaviours: 

• leadership 
• seeing the bigger picture
• changing and improving
• making effective decisions
• delivering at pace
• communicating and influencing

We’ll also be assessing your experience and specialist technical skills against the following skills defined in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for the Lead Product Manager role: 

• Agile and lean practices
• Applying user-centred insights
• Creating value for money
• Lifecycle management
• Managing product outcomes
• Product leadership
• Product management
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Strategic ownership

Want to know more about who Government Digital and Data are? Click Here 

Recruitment Timeline

Sift completion: 28th April 2026

Phone screening: From 6th May

Panel interviews: W/C 18th May

Candidates that do not pass the interview but have demonstrated an acceptable standard may be considered for similar roles at a lower grade.

A reserve list will be held for a period of 12 months, from which further appointments can be made.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service D&I Strategy.

Sponsorship

DSIT cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates through this campaign. DSIT holds a Visa sponsorship licence but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify.