Lead Continuous Improvement Product Owner

Active SC Clearance required for the role

Aerospace and Defence Experience - demonstrable background delivering architecture within Defence or UK aerospace environments.

This role will be based in Reading with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate.

Role Description
Lead the evolution and continuous improvement of product ownership practices, governance frameworks, and strategic planning across all digital initiatives. Champion strong alignment between Product Owners, Business Analysts, and delivery teams by ensuring clear prioritisation, informed decision making, and consistently high-quality outcomes. Provide decisive, collaborative leadership that strengthens cross functional ways of working, embeds best practice product management standards, and enables the successful delivery of value driven digital products and services.

Key Accountabilities
Accountabilities include (but are not limited to):
Establish and continuously refine product ownership frameworks and governance models to ensure consistent, effective, and scalable delivery across all digital initiatives.
Lead backlog management and oversee end-to-end delivery of data driven projects, ensuring priorities reflect strategic objectives and deliver measurable value.
Foster strong, transparent collaboration between Product Owners and Business Analysts, enabling shared understanding, efficient decision-making, and well-defined requirements.
Oversee and challenge supplier performance, ensuring deliverables meet expected standards for quality, timeliness, and value while maintaining strong, outcome focused partnerships.

Skills and Experience
Demonstrated leadership of product ownership across at least two major programmes, delivering complex, high value digital products in fast paced or regulated environments.

Experience leading product ownership across international or multination programmes, operating effectively within varied cultural and regulatory environments.

Proven experience managing and developing multidisciplinary teams and suppliers, ensuring high performance, clear accountability, and strong outcome focuse d delivery.

Experience working within agile delivery environments, with deep knowledge of agile and lean product management practices.

Broad technical awareness across infrastructure, platforms, security, and modern digital architectures, with the ability to translate technical considerations into clear product decisions.

Strong ability to shape and mature product ownership practices, contributing to organisational standards, coaching others, and driving continuous improvement at scale.

Expertise in defining and applying product ownership frameworks, governance models, and delivery standards at scale.

Demonstrated capability in building and leading high performing multidisciplinary teams, nurturing talent, and establishing strong product culture.

Strong proficiency in backlog management, prioritisation techniques, and value driven decision making, ensuring alignment to strategic objectives.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of operating confidently with senior leadership and communicating complex concepts simply.