Director of Product

Job Location: Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid

Department: Office of the CDIO

Salary: £98,983 to £130,000 per annum

Closing Date: 28 February 2025

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Contract Type: Permanent

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: Not Applicable

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

The Open University (OU) is the largest university in the United Kingdom and reaches across all four nations. It is a global leader in higher education and research, using a model of open supported learning to deliver world-renowned teaching and learning content to over 200,000 students every year.

The Director of Product is the Head of Profession for Product and as such the most senior product professional within the Open University, providing product strategy and leadership, coaching and support to product teams working across our systems and services.

Reporting to the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) the role is critical to developing an iterative and adaptive product roadmap that supports the Open University's Learn and Live strategy and develops new capabilities that improve our ability to offer adaptive, resilient, secure and cost-effective product and services which radically simplify our existing landscape.

As a key member of the CDIO leadership team, you will be responsible for leading, supporting and developing a product strategy across the full lifecycle of the student experience. From student administration support (enrolment and registration) through to teaching, learning and alumni.

• Define and lead a practical, outcome-driven product portfolio, vision, and strategy that aligns with the overall organisational ambitions, strategy, and goals.
• Work closely with product managers at all levels, providing hands-on coaching, practical demonstrations, and guidance to help them deliver value more effectively.
• Showcase and implement modern product management tools, techniques, and frameworks that enable teams to work more efficiently, deliver iteratively, and focus on high-impact outcomes.
• Lead by example in driving product discovery and delivery best practices, ensuring a data-informed, iterative approach to solving problems and improving student and staff experiences.
• Partner with senior stakeholders and industry experts to identify market trends, emerging technologies (such as generative AI), and innovative approaches to radically simplify our services.
• Act as an inspirational figure within the organisation, demonstrating how great product management accelerates value delivery.
• Continue to establish and grow the Open University's product management community.
• Ensure that the unit's resources and budget are managed effectively, in accordance with institutional policy and procedures, to provide the best value for money for the OU's students and staff.

Essential:

• Extensive hands-on product management experience, with a track record of delivering new product ideas and solutions that create measurable value.
• Demonstrable experience partnering with design, engineering, data, and IT leaders to bring effective products and services to life.
• A proven ability to quickly dive deep into new domains, applying strong business acumen and technical knowledge to drive results.
• A strong practitioner's ability to influence and foster collaboration across all levels, from individual contributors to senior executives.
• Evidence of coaching and mentoring product managers, but also personally demonstrating effective product management techniques in real time.
• The ability to balance strategic thinking with tactical execution, ensuring both long-term vision and near-term impact.
• Strong financial and commercial acumen.
• A curiosity about new market spaces and an ability to introduce innovative ways of working by learning from multiple industries and external best practices.
• A strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity, working inclusively and without bias.

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (maximum of 1000 words) that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria listed above. We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it's a part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We anticipate this being on a weekly/fortnightly basis.