Product owner (NPPV3 + SC)

Overview

In this role you will shape and embed a Product Ownership capability within the Command & Control Transformation Programme. You will lead product strategy, governance, and lifecycle management across platforms and services, aligning roadmaps with user needs and frontline insight. You will drive value-based prioritisation, design authority governance, and safe deployment into live operations. This is a strategic, cross-functional leadership position focused on creating a sustainable product organisation and influencing transformation beyond IT services.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage the Product Vision and Product Goals for C&C platforms/services
• Lead backlog creation and prioritisation linked to operational value and live service performance
• Chair the Programme Design Authority (PDA) and govern design integrity, changes, defects, and traceability to risk
• Oversee service transition, acceptance criteria, and deployment readiness
• Represent MPS in supplier forums, decision boards, and governance groups
• Hold suppliers to account for delivery, performance, and continuous improvement
• Manage Defect Impact Assessment, testing strategy, and acceptance approaches across complex services
• Design and stand-up the Intelligent Client Function (ICF) and ensure alignment to operational doctrine
• Engage stakeholders and provide evidence-based recommendations to senior leaders
• Lead governance around testing, service readiness, risk, and operational risk assessments
• Drive continuous improvement using service performance data, incidents, and user feedback
• Support the transition of change into operations in collaboration with business design and transition teams

Key requirements

• Senior Product Owner or equivalent leadership experience in complex or safety‑critical environments
• Operational SME background (policing, control room, or equivalent)
• Delivery experience across multi-team structures
• Strong governance leadership including chairing Design Authority forums
• Experience with service transition and operational readiness
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills
• Holding suppliers to account for delivery and outcomes
• Owning or assuring operational testing and acceptance approaches across complex services
• Applying user-centred design and operational insight to shape product priorities and decisions
• Product lifecycle management including roadmap ownership, KPI definition, and continuous improvement
• Benefits-led prioritisation and investment decision support linking delivery to business outcomes

• stakeholder management
• strategic thinking
• decisiveness
• SAFe delivery
• governance and design authority
• defect management and testing frameworks

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