Head of Product

Overview

Head of Product role at Government Digital Service (GDS).

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We are responsible for setting, leading and delivering the vision for a modern digital government. We’re part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and employ more than 1,000 people across the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.  is the established digital interface between government and the public and handles significant traffic and impact across citizen interactions with government.

Available across London, Bristol & Manchester locations.

• lead the continued development of  web proposition, publishing tooling and platform, and support the programme’s strategy for growth
• grow and lead high performing product teams in the  directorate to deliver critical government products and services at scale
• develop a sustainable and engaged product community, and participate as a key member of the  Senior Management Team
• work with agile, multidisciplinary teams; balance experimentation with operational efficiency; and promote a culture of learning and improvement
• contribute to a clear product vision and drive OKRs and roadmaps that support strategic development and operational delivery
• support  Deputy Directors in implementing strategic initiatives and addressing operational challenges
• ensure products meet user needs and achieve measurable data-driven outcomes
• prioritise user experience and security across platforms

• strong leadership experience in product management, with a track record of launching and evolving digital products at scale across multiple teams in agile environments
• ability to develop product strategy and direct delivery teams through all phases from discovery to continuous improvement
• experience assessing products and services and providing guidance on priorities and improvements
• experience engaging with senior stakeholders and coordinating activity across organisations
• ability to set, monitor and report measurable performance targets for teams and products
• experience recruiting, coaching and line managing product managers; identifying learning opportunities
• familiarity with working with suppliers through end-to-end procurement processes
• focus on operational maturity and ensuring consistent user and technical operational support

• web and mobile user experiences at scale
• publishing platforms, content lifecycle and metadata
• proactive and/or personalised products supporting complex digital interactions
• resilient, secure platforms

If you meet a few criteria but not every item, you are encouraged to apply.

Security: successful candidates must meet the security requirements before appointment (security check).

There will be a virtual recruitment event on Thursday 28th August 2025 at 09:00am
. To participate, email  for an invitation.