Senior Product Manager

Job summary

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office pursues our national interests and projects the UK’s role in the world. We promote the interests of British citizens, safeguard the UK’s security, defend our values, reduce poverty and tackle global challenges with our international partners. We employ more than 17,000 staff in 179 countries and territories, across our diplomatic and development offices worldwide, which consists of 282 officially designated Posts. Our UK-based staff work in King Charles Street, London, Abercrombie House in East Kilbride and in Milton Keynes.

Job description

As Senior Product Manager, you will be part of the Information and Digital Directorate. We are the platform for the whole of the UK government that operates internationally. Our focus – digital and technology solutions, created through deep partnerships. That means designing, developing and supporting business critical products that drive value for the FCDO in over 180 locations.

We are at a point of change. Digital transformation of the government is now at the heart of the Civil Service reform agenda. As Senior Product Manager, you will help us to modernize our ways of working to be more efficient and effective. You will lead products through different phases of the product life cycle, from discovery, through development, delivery and continuous improvement, to retirement. You could be exploring solutions to improving internal security, enhancing organisational diplomatic impact, enabling development through better use of data, all the way through to streamlining the management of FCDO’s global operations.

Building strong relationships will be key. This is a unique chance to help shape and grow a new digital function within Government, to implement new ways of working and industry best practice and to help to grow a professional community and nurture in-house talent.

Roles and Responsibilities

The successful candidates will:

• Manage and build out a portfolio of products, supporting the organisations transformation. You will lead the product family’s pipeline and the operational and financial performance of the service, matrix managing the delivery team and suppliers who are delivering the development. You will lead products through different phases of the product life cycle, from discovery, through development, delivery and continuous improvement, to retirement. You will manage priorities across the wider Digital portfolio to respond to changing customer needs and to drive FCDO’s digital transformation. You build a deep understanding of the organisation’s requirements, including the needs of internal and external users of the product suite and the data that they hold. You will deputise for the Head of Product where required.
• Build an effective team, that delivers high-quality services to meet business needs. You will line manage Product Managers and matrix-manage a team of staff that are based both in the UK and globally and are both suppliers and civil servants, to enable agile delivery. You will develop a thriving delivery mindset, develop new ways of working and enable agile delivery. You will build a shared sense of purpose; coaching and supporting your team to build an inclusive environment where you regularly share ideas, discuss best practice and proactively help and support each other. You will have a focus on building capability and developing your team to deliver excellent services.
• Be curious about understanding the organisation and identifying how we can use digital products to enhance how we operate. You’ll use insight from research and analysis to understand the best way of approaching design choices to enable your product team to deliver effective solutions.
• Nurture, with your team, a shared sense of purpose and an inclusive environment. You will work with the Deputy Director Digital to set the digital product strategy, implementing best-practice and setting direction for what good looks like in a large and global government department. Plus, you will work closely alongside our Futures and Strategy function thinking about how we could best use the latest innovations.
• Lead on building a Product portfolio – delivered through off the shelf-products as well as in-house built solutions. You will design and lead a clear portfolio roadmap, embed a product management approach and build strong relationships with key customers across the business as well as end-users and stakeholders across IDD and the wider FCDO.
• Work with the Deputy Director Digital to set the digital product strategy, implementing best-practice and setting direction for what good looks like in a large and global government department.

There is likely to be opportunity to travel in the UK with possible travel abroad, this will be determined by the products that you are responsible for.

Candidate Engagement Call

We will be running a Candidate Engagement Call on Monday 16th February at 15:00-16:00. During the call, you will have the opportunity to ask any further questions about the advertised position and, in more general terms, about the role of Senior Product Manager. Please do come along if of interest.

To join the call on Monday 16th February at 15:00-16:00 – Use this link

Person specification

You must be a British Citizen at the time of application and, if invited to interview, you will need to bring proof of identity (British Passport/Driving Licence etc.) with you.

This role requires you to attain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.

For more information about this process, click here. Attaining DV will require you to have been resident in the UK for five of the last ten years. At least one year of this must have been a consecutive twelve-month period. Serving overseas with HM Forces, in some other official capacity as a representative of His Majesty’s Government or having lived overseas as a result of your parents’ or partner’s Government employment counts as UK residency for the purposes of security clearances.

It is essential in your application that you provide evidence and proven examples in each of the following Minimum Criteria, the Behaviours and the Technical question as far as you are able to do so. These responses will be further developed and discussed with those candidates invited for interview.

Minimum Criteria

You will have experience in product management and service delivery. In this role you will be expected to:

• Work with stakeholders across the organisation to understand business outcomes/needs and how digital products can meet these, taking a user-centred approach to all design and delivery.
• Manage products or services at different stages of the lifecycle and ensure your team is working towards the appropriate quality standards.
• Coach and lead teams in agile practices and think of new and innovative ways of working to achieve the right outcomes.
• Lead and motivate teams, improve engagement and responsiveness of work force planning and recruitment.
• Apply product management tools and concepts in a variety of ways, including defining and creating new approaches.
• Prioritise spending based on return on investment and leading on the creation of business cases and the understanding of the benefits delivered through your products.
• Bring an innovation mindset to the role, thinking about new and novel ways to both design and deliver products to make the whole organisation more effective.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

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

• Managing Product Outcomes (Practitioner Level)
• Agile and Lean Practices (Practitioner Level)
• Applying User Centred Insights (Practitioner Level)
• Product Leadership (Practitioner Level)
• Strategic Ownership

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Managing Product Outcomes (Practitioner Level)
• Agile and Lean Practices (Practitioner Level)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £57,500, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office contributes £16,657 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• 25 days Annual Leave per annum.
• 9 days Public and Privilege holidays per annum.
• Learning and Development tailored to your role.

See the attached candidate pack.

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.

This vacancy uses the Success Profiles Framework to assess your Experience, Behaviours and Technical. We will use the Senior Product Manager Framework to assess your Technical skills.

Please see the ‘Hints and Tips’ that are provided for your information about how to prepare Behaviour examples at the Application and/or Interview stage.

Application Stage

You will be required to complete the following as part of the online application:

• A CV detailing your career history (including any relevant qualifications). CVs will be assessed against the Minimum Criteria outlined in the Person Specification section below.
• A Personal Statement of 500 words explaining how you consider your skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with specific reference to the Minimum Criteria. These responses will be explored further during the interview process for shortlisted candidates.

Your application will be assessed on the following:

Behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Developing Self and Others

Technical Skills:

• Managing Product Outcomes (Practitioner Level)
• Agile and Lean Practices (Practitioner Level)

IMPORTANT: If you are applying under the Disability Confident Scheme and require Reasonable Adjustments in order to complete your application, please ensure Government Recruitment Service (GRS) are aware of this on the date of application and certainly by the closing date.

In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift by a lead Behaviour. For this campaign we will be prioritising Managing a Quality Service. Only candidates who meet the minimum standard in this Behaviour will have the rest of their application fully assessed.

Interview Stage

At the start of your interview, you will also be asked a non-assessed warm-up question about your motivation for applying for the role.

Candidates will be required to give a 5-minute Presentation at the Interview, and the topic will be sent to you in advance. The Presentation will test the following Technical skill:

Strategic Ownership

You will also be assessed on the following Behaviours and Technical skills at Interview:

Behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Changing and Improving

Technical Skills:

• Applying User Centred Insights (Practitioner Level)
• Product Leadership (Practitioner Level)

Please note that the FCDO carries out name-blind (anonymised) recruitment to help build a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The personal information on your Application form and/or CV will be concealed during the sifting phase, and only the names of those who are being invited for Interviews will be made known to the Panel.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Further Information

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Any move to FCDO from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

If you are experiencing accessibility problems reading the Candidate Pack, such as through screen reader software, please contact our Team via fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk and we will share a Word version of this.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service /Disclosure Scotland on your behalf.

However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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 : FCDO Recruitment Team
• Email : fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : fcdorecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

The FCDO’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the principle of selection for appointment on merit, on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should, in the first instance, contact External.Recruitment@fcdo.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the FCDO, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commissioners.

Attachments

Hints and Tips on Behaviour Examples Opens in new window (pdf, 85kB)2025-11-17 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 231kB)Candidate Pack 436901 Senior Product Manager Opens in new window (docx, 1016kB)Candidate Pack 436901 Senior Product Manager Opens in new window (pdf, 561kB)