Product Strategy Lead (VAWG Accelerator)

Job summary

About the team

The Test, Learn and Grow programme (TLG) is at the heart of the UK government’s initiative to drive innovation and reform in public service delivery. The programme - announced in 2024 - aims to support collaboration between central and local government, specifically to design, test, and grow innovative solutions to complex challenges and enhance public service outcomes. By employing a "Test & Learn" approach, we focus on creating evidence-based improvements while relieving pressures on public services.

About the role

As a product and strategy lead, you’ll manage the day to day running of an “Accelerator”—a place-based project with public sector partners to prototype solutions to complex policy issues. This role is on the programmes VAWG reduction accelerator - in partnership with Islington and 5 other London boroughs - to reduce violence against women and girls.

This role is mapped to the Product Manager role in the Government Digital and Data framework. However, the products / solutions we are developing may not be digital. We’re looking for candidates who are confident navigating complex policy challenges and can identify strategic opportunities to leverage change. This role will require travel within the UK to work closely with local partners.

Job description

Main responsibilities

You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team to design, test and scale ‘products’ or ‘solutions’ to reduce VAWG.

We are looking for someone who:

• is confident applying evidence-based and strategic thinking to develop and grow products that support social impact;
• will work effectively with stakeholders (in central and local government, VCS etc) to foster interest in the accelerator and TLG ways of working;
• will apply agile ways of working to help the team build momentum and deliver the right outcomes.
• will work sensitively and effectively within and outside the team.

On a day-to-day basis this involves:

• Leading a multidisciplinary Accelerator team to:
  • define, explain and iterate an evidence-based vision for solutions that are compelling to your team, stakeholders and end-users
  • deliver solutions through test and learn cycles
  • make decisions based on evidence and value for money
• Leading on delivery planning for you team maintaining a roadmap and strategy, and develop and prioritise a backlog
• Working in the open, by sharing insights with the wider team, partners and senior leaders
• Line managing, coach and mentor associate product managers and supporting a product and strategy community of practice across TLG.

Person specification

Skills and experience

It’s essential that you have experience in:

Leading multidisciplinary teams

• leading a team of experts in user centred design, analysis, policy, delivery, behavioural insights etc to develop and test solutions to complex challenges
• be the escalation point for your team
• developing a clear plan and narrative for the work

Product management and Strategic ownership

• navigating complex policy / delivery landscapes to spot opportunities to leverage change
• successfully developing and releasing products, strategies, or solutions
• can identify, communicate and work within constraints, and challenge the validity of constraints while ensuring the team can still deliver high quality work

Agile and lean practices

• have proficiency in agile product management techniques, such as: roadmaps; prioritisation; MVP definition; using research, analytics and insight to inform decisions; planning at different horizons

Stakeholder relationship management

• successfully manage a range of stakeholder relationships to successfully deliver products, solutions or strategies that meet user needs and deliver government outcomes
• can reconcile strong differing opinions using evidence or research

Evidencing and evaluating

• can use data and analytics to spot problems with, and evaluate success of, solutions, product, or strategies
• can use theories of change and set, monitor and report on measurable objectives

Inclusivity

• support equity and inclusion for our delivery work as well as for our teams and programme
• incorporate a wide variety of views from underrepresented groups into product and policy work

Experience working on reducing VAWG is helpful but not essential.

Additional information:

Cabinet Office policy is that a minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace. For some roles, due to their nature and the business need, this may be up to 100%. Requirements to attend other locations for official business will also count towards this level of attendance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Agile and Lean Practices
• Applying user-centred insights
• Product Leadership
• Product Management
• Stakeholder Relationship Management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £62,988, Cabinet Office contributes £18,247 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service Pension which provides an attractive pension, benefits for dependants and employer contributions of 28.97%.
• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by one day per year up to a maximum of 30.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.