The public sector client is looking to recruit a Product Manager for a 5 month temporary contract, which will be home-based until further notice and the restrictions ease. The client is based in Blackpool. The successful candidate will have a valid DBS. Please Note; This assignment sits inside IR35.

The Product Manager is responsible for producing world class products for public services in line with the Government’s digital services standard, that are accessed by millions of users. The Product Manager will use their knowledge of user needs and business objectives to frame problems and set priorities for their delivery teams.

Level – Working – Product Manager
As a Product Manager, you will manage the development of a product. You will be responsible for strategic and tactical product decisions, using your knowledge of user needs and business goals to frame problems and set priorities for the delivery team. You will also be actively involved in developing the product strategy and managing the product roadmap.

As a Product Manager you will also have experience of product management techniques and may work as part of a larger product team, managing Associate Product Managers to develop components or features forming part of the product. You can expect to work independently or as part of a more complex project with a more senior Product Manager.

1. Set The Product Vision – Form the vision for the product(s) and engage with teams and stakeholders in the development of that vision over time.
2. Product Management – Define the minimum viable product and work with the product team(s) to agree candidates for release, defining delivery plans and communicating progress to the wider business and customers as appropriate.
3. Lifecycle Management – Maintain and iterate a product over time to continuously meet user needs and support in the effective production.
4. Managing product backlogs – Create the list of backlog items and prioritize them based on the overall strategy and business objectives
5. User focussed – Act as the voice of the business and the users during development and stabilisation.
Agile – Ability to work in a fast paced, evolving environment and utilises an iterative method and flexible approach to enable rapid delivery.

Responsibilities
Level – Working – Product Manager
• Own the vision for the product, working with stakeholders to ensure strategic fit and engaging the development team to maintain alignment and buy in.
• Develop the product strategy and manage the product roadmap as well as prioritising the product backlog through a range of techniques to maximise value and return on investment.
• Identify and communicate user needs to the development and delivery teams through the creation of backlog items (user stories) and representing users and other stakeholders at team meetings such as planning and review session.
• Define product goals and metrics, monitoring performance against outcomes.
• Manage, influence and negotiate stakeholder relationships and communicate progress and achievements, championing the product within the department.
• Ensure the product is developed to an appropriate level of quality taking into consideration expected lifetime, investment and timeframes.
• Support the professional development of associate Product Managers in your area.
Specialist Responsibilities
Level – Working – Product Manager
• Leads, manages and develops their people, setting the direction for the content creation team, to deliver learning material.
• Provide subject matter expertise to the training content development team.
• Deal with and take decisions on all day-to-day issues relating to own work area and to those they manage.
• define strong use case scenarios for productivity and administration learning experiences
• communicate with a range of people, inside the Department, in other Government Organisations, in external organisations.
• Lead on maintaining and growing product expertise of Microsoft’s end-user technologies
• responsible for providing recommendations based on in depth research and determination of the options.
• Lead on the Microsoft end-user technology roadmap and translate this into user impacts or user benefits
• chair internal meetings and represent the Department in meetings and in discussion, share knowledge, expertise, best practices
• Liaise with change/release team to ensure new features are understood and prioritised

Technical Skills
Level – Working – Product Manager
Product Management (DDaT) – Technical
Understands tools, terms and concepts used to deliver a product and how they can be adapted, and applied to different phases of delivery. (Level 2)
Strategic Insight (DDaT) – Technical
Understands what problem the team is trying to solve. Can align user research activities to inform decision making and action. (Level 2)
Problem management (DDaT) – Technical
Initiates and monitors actions to investigate patterns and trends to resolve problems, including consulting specialists where required. Determines the appropriate remedy and assists with implementation of it as well as preventative measures. Initiates actions, monitors services and identifies trends to resolve problems. Able to troubleshoot and identify problems across different technology capabilities. Owns an issue until a new owner has been found or the problem has been mitigated or resolved. (level 2)
Agile & Lean practices (DDaT) – Technical
Has had experience in applying Agile principles in practice. Able to provide a clear, open and transparent framework in which teams can deliver. Has an awareness of Agile tools and is starting to use them intelligently. Able to visualise and make visible the work of the team. Can adapt and reflect, is resilient and has the ability to see outside of the process. (Level 2)
Data Analysis & Synthesis (DDaT) – Technical
Undertakes data profiling and source system analysis and can present clear insights to colleagues to support the end use of the data. Able to apply the approach to real problems and consider all relevant information. Applies appropriate rigour to ensure a full solution is designed and achieves the business outcome. (Level 2)
User centred analysis (DDaT) – Technical
Able to use quantitative and qualitative data about users to turn user focus into outcomes. Delivers analysis and information that addresses stakeholder needs and provides recommendations. Collaborates with user researchers and other user-focussed professions. Guides others on approaches to understand user stories. Identifies and engages with users / stakeholders to collate user needs evidence, and understands and defines research which fits user needs. (Level 2)
Lifecycle perspective (DDaT) – Technical
Recognises when to move from one stage of a product lifecycle to another. Ensures the team is working towards the appropriate service standards for the relevant phase. Able to manage the delivery products or services at different phases. (Level 2)
Communicating and influencing – Behavioural
Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Encourage the use of different
communication methods, including digital resources and highlight the benefits, including ensuring cost effectiveness. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and
takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging
others to do the same. Ensure that important messages are communicated with colleagues and stakeholders respectfully, taking into consideration the diversity of interests. (Level 3)
Leadership – Behavioural
Ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of objectives, activities and time-frames. Take into account different individual needs, views, and ideas, championing inclusion and equality of opportunity for all. Consider the impacts of own and team’s activities on stakeholders and end users. Role-model commitment and satisfaction with role. Recognise and praise the achievements of others to drive positivity within the team. Effectively manage conflict, misconduct and non-inclusive behaviour, raising with senior managers where appropriate. (Level 3)
Seeing the big picture – Behavioural
Understand the strategic drivers for your area of work. Align activities to contribute to wider organisational priorities. Remain alert to emerging issues and trends which might
impact your work area. Seek out and share experiences to develop knowledge of the team’s business area. Understand how the strategies and activities of the team create
value and meet the diverse needs of all stakeholders.(Level 3)
Changing and improving – Behavioural
Work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes to use fewer resources. Use technology where possible to increase efficiency. Encourage ideas
for change from a wide range of sources. Clearly explain the reasons for change to colleagues and how to implement them, supporting individuals with different needs
to adapt to change. Encourage an environment where colleagues know that they can challenge decisions and issues safely. Take managed risks by fully considering the varied impacts changes could have on the diverse range of end users. (Level 3)
Managing a quality service – Behavioural
Develop, implement, maintain and review systems and services to ensure delivery of professional excellence. Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money. Identify risks and resolve issues efficiently. Involve a diverse range of colleagues, stakeholders and delivery partners in developing suggestions for improvements. Establish ways to find and respond to feedback from customers about
the services provided. (Level 3)