Lead Product Manager

Job summary

Within our ITS directorate, we are recruiting a Product Leader with responsibility for managing and leading a number of products within a product portfolio containing multiple individual products.

Are you an experienced product leader who enjoys taking responsibility and pushing boundaries?

If so, we'd love to hear from you!

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

As a lead Product Manager you will oversee a portfolio of digital products, manage cross-functional teams, and act as a key liaison between technical teams, stakeholders, and senior leadership.

The Lead Product Manager role is a critical role in driving the development and maintenance of new and existing DVLA services during and exciting period of development.

Key elements of this role are:

• Managing a portfolio of products, providing leadership, direction and escalation, whilst also acting as product manager for the most complex areas.
• Define and articulate a portfolio level product vision, roadmap, and strategy, aligning with organisational goals and government digital transformation objectives.
• Collaborate with internal business teams, senior leadership and external stakeholders to gather requirements, manage expectations, and ensure alignment.
• Drive agile and lean product development processes, ensuring timely delivery within scope, budget, and quality standards.
• Ensure operational running of the product, be involved in any ongoing incidents and support the prioritisation of the team tin the resolution of the issues and defects vs ongoing change commitments.
• Setting strategy and managing resource allocation within product to support product development as well as operational management of the product.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive continuous improvement.
• Working closely with other Lead Product Managers to ensure synergy across the product organisation.
• Contribute to the DVLA product management capability to build and develop standards and guidance across the capability.
• Working closely with the Head of Product to provide leadership and direction within the product community.
• Being involved in hiring Senior Product Managers and managing any related contracts.
• Budgeting and forecasting across the product portfolio.
• Manage and mentor a team of product managers, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Lead Product Managers manage a complex portfolio of products at the heart of the delivery of DVLA change programmes. You will be responsible for line management, development and coaching of Senior Product managers, providing the escalation route through to the Head of Product and ensuring the consolidated delivery of technical change across multiple squads.

You will be confident challenging approaches and be a positive role model of the values, attitudes and behaviours of the capability. You will set the vision and strategy of the technical outcomes, manage dependencies, and identify and manage priorities to ensure the successful delivery of the technical products based on introducing value within the products.

You will need to have excellent communication skills and will engage with senior stakeholders at all levels to support the effective delivery of those products and services.

You will own the development and continuous improvement of the product portfolio, turning the vision into reality. You will ensure the product vision is delivered in the most effective way, building something that is reusable and transformational. You will be responsible for balancing requirements within in change initiatives across multiple programmes, continuous product improvements to ensure the product is maintained to DVLA standards, managing defects, technical debt and other improvements identified.

You will work closely with Project and Portfolio Management teams to align any project plans of approved change initiatives with your roadmap for delivery.

You will work closely and collaborate with service owners and other stakeholders across directorates to understand the aims, objectives and changes required by the services that will be facilitated and implemented by your product.

Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

• Manage people and products at a strategic, technical, and working level
• Maintain the high-level roadmap at a portfolio level and ensuring all product within the portfolio have coherent road maps
• Be involved in a range of programme management activities relevant to their product portfolio
• Be involved in recruiting product managers at all levels and contractors
• Provide leadership in your portfolio and across the local product community, working closely with the head of product

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills set out in the Civil Service Line Management Standards. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

Open Session: Would you like to find out more about the role, the digital team and what it’s like to work at DVLA? If so, we are organising a familiarisation session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on Wednesday 28th January at 12:00pm

Please click here to book on.

Person specification

Required experience:

This role requires strong leadership and communication skills, and the ability to understand the impact actions have on the organisation. The successful candidate will have experience of mobilising large scale product deliveries, driving a positive team culture, supporting professional development and be able to motivate teams to be fully engaged in their work. As a leader it’s important that you can be a strong advocate for continuous professional development and be an ambassador for changing culture across government.

You will be an experienced product manager, ideally with a technical background. You will have experience in the delivery of a range of complex and large-scale change in a fast-paced environment, including the successful use of agile methodologies, and have a sound understanding of the digital landscape.

You are experienced in creating and maintaining a portfolio level product vision and high-level roadmap and also setting strategy and managing resource allocation for solution development programmes.

You must have experience in delivering enterprise scale digital products and services and of balancing multiple priorities. In addition, you will be professionally curious taking an interest in the development of the wider community and always looking at the big picture.

You will already hold or will be expected to commit to undertaking appropriate development and qualifications to achieve professional standards of technical product management, up to Certified Scrum Professional Product Owner.

Working for the Digital Team

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Applications will be accepted from full time/part time/job sharers. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’.

Visa Sponsorship

Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Security Check

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework - Life Cycle Management (Expert)
• Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework - Strategic Ownership (Expert)
• Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework – Product Management (Expert)
• Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework – Stakeholder Relationship management (Expert)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,501, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £20,134 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Free parking

There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.

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.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV and Personal Statement

Stage 2: Interview and Assessment

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and 750-word personal statement to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

On receipt of your CV and personal statement, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page.

For this role you will need to submit a CV and Personal Statement.

Within your CV and personal statement, please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:

• Delivering a portfolio of enterprise scale digital products and services or managed multiple individual products
• Setting strategy and managing resource allocation for solution development programmes
• Creating and maintaining a portfolio level product vision and high-level roadmap

The sift will take place on 10th February 2026.

Stage 2: Interview and additional assessment

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done. The selection process will be designed specifically for the role.

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

Behaviours:
Leadership

Experience

Technical:
Government Digital and Data Profession – Lifecycle Management (Expert)
Government Digital and Data Profession – Strategic Ownership (Expert)
Government Digital and Data Profession – Product Management (Expert)
Government Digital and Data Profession – Stakeholder Relationship Management (Expert)

You will also be required to create and deliver a presentation. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

Interview and assessment will take place from 23rd February 2026. Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL). Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).

If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.

You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Alison Whitehead
• Email : alison@inspirepeople.net

Recruitment team

• Email : ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated
in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 191kB)DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 2038kB)