Location: Leicester, Hybrid (3 days on site)Sector: Higher Education Reed Professional Services is seeking an Associate Director of Product to provide interim leadership and strategic direction within the Digital and Technology directorate of a prominent higher education organisation. This role is crucial for maintaining operational continuity and stabilising business‑as‑usual activities during the recruitment of a permanent replacement. Day-to-day of the role:

Provide strategic direction for the digital product portfolio, aligning with the university’s strategy and goals. Lead the design, delivery, governance, and operations of the digital product portfolio. Develop and lead the product function to support the organisation's vision. Offer managerial support to various heads of product and ensure a collaborative approach to product innovation. Solve problems and improve outcomes through agile collaboration with product teams and business service owners. Lead people management activities within the function, including capability building, resource planning, and line management. Raise awareness and understanding of the product strategy across the Technology Directorate and the university. Define and implement strong practices, guidelines, and frameworks to continually improve the quality of product solutions. Establish metrics and tools to assess capabilities and develop practices associated with the product function.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Strong knowledge of Service Management principles and standards. Solid understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks. Extensive experience in senior IT delivery management roles. Proven track record in delivering product‑based services. Expertise in defining and implementing support models and negotiating Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Deep understanding of technical components involved in application delivery. Comprehensive knowledge of product architecture. Familiarity with programme and project management methodologies. Exceptional communication skills, able to engage diverse stakeholders and translate technical concepts into non‑technical language. Strong strategic planning and organisational capabilities. Ability to adapt to varied organisational cultures and motivate, lead, and inspire teams effectively. Commitment to promoting collaboration and cross‑functional teamwork. IT Service Management certification (e.g., ITIL). Experience in leading a product function within the higher education sector. Strong knowledge of service design principles and practice.

How to Apply: To apply for the Associate Director of Product position, please submit your CV and a member of the Reed Professional Services Talent Team will be in touch. Seniority level: Director | Employment type: Contract | Job function: Project Management | Industries: Higher Education

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