Lead Product Manager

Location: Edinburgh, UK; Glasgow City, Glasgow, UK; Leeds, UK; Manchester, UK; Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Stratford-upon-Avon CV37, UK; Worthing, UK; Reading, UK; United KingdomSalary: 71,725 - 87,612 per yearEmployment: FlexibleCategory: ITPosted: 2026-08-15Valid to: 2026-08-28Employer: HM Revenue and CustomsJob summaryDiscover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.At HMRC, we are already one of the most digital advanced tax authorities in the world and have one of the largest IT infrastructures and data sources in the UK. With 50 million customers to serve, over 60 thousand colleagues to support, and 600 billion to collect to fund UK Plc, our IT operation is huge! For those who are up to the challenge, we offer unique and unparalleled opportunities to work with some of the newest technologies and make a real, lasting difference.We’re recruiting for a Lead Product Manager at HMRC Business Tax team (Process Mining) to be part of our highly creative and collaborative teams supporting His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs. We are ambitious, and we need a strong product leader to help us achieve the ambitions we have set out in our 2026/27 vision, delivering great outcomes through digital products.This role needs a strong leader who can challenge, create, and own the product strategy. Your goal is to optimise the overall value of an area of the business tax system by contributing to solving complex and often challenging problems through the creation of great digital products.A Product Lead is responsible for leading a number of product teams within a business area to build and release digital products or services. Product Leads understand the business goals and the high-level user needs for different user groups across the services. Product Leads also understand the organisational and business area strategies, and work with senior leaders and stakeholders to ensure the right types of products and services are being delivered to support the strategies. Product Leads also manage product managers, coach, or mentor them, and support the Head of Profession to build the capability amongst the product management profession.Person specificationResponsibilitiesYou will:Create the vision, strategy, roadmap and value proposition for a programme or portfolio of digital services, creating achievable and measurable objectives for a portfolio digital service based on transformation programme goals.Set product priorities, strategic direction and leadership for a programme or portfolio of products in a transformation programme.Create and iterate programme-level roadmaps, reporting and set the agile governance framework for product teams in a programme.Lead engagement with Senior Directors, Senior Civil Servants, and stakeholders to shape and influence delivery activity and governance in transformation programmes, in line with the organisation’s strategy and objectives.Work with other professions leads and teams across HMRC to promote user-centred and agile ways of working, and to ensure the resourcing model for multidisciplinary teams works effectively. Lead creation of strategic roadmaps, business cases, funding forecasts and delivery plans to define pipeline of future work in CDIO.Accountable for product outcomes within a transformation programme, setting KPIs and performance measures for success.Line manages, coach and mentor Grade 7 Product Managers and SO Associate Product Managers, responsible for increasing capability and ensuring product management standards and met.Work with Head of Product around recruitment, retention, and upskilling of product managers in HMRC, to define standards and best practice for Product ManagersBe a leader within local product management communities and other communities of interest across HMRC, managing and organising cross-government conferences and events.Coordinate product development across HMRC Lines of Business to identify reuse of components and patterns in services.Oversee live services and continuous improvement work for the product /service and management of vendor contracts as and when needed.Lead and support multidisciplinary product teams through discovery, alpha, beta, and live phases of development, turning vision into reality and continuously improving.Essential Criteria:Experience of using lean, agile or user centred design methods (ideally all)Experience of building and maintaining positive relationships with senior stakeholders, including negotiating with stakeholders on difficult issues, acting as an escalation point when needed, and being able to influence stakeholders on a portfolio or service strategy.Demonstration of the ability to look across a number of products/services in a portfolio, and the wider marketplace, to understand how different products can work together to deliver a wider outcome. Experience of successfully prioritising work based on what is valuable to do first across a portfolio/ service/programme, managing dependencies between different products, digital and non-digital channels, et cetera. Demonstration of the ability to use qualitative or quantitative research (e.g., customer feedback, market research, service metrics, et cetera) to gain insights on a problem, or potential solutions. Experience of coaching, mentoring and line managing others across a digital team in product management roles or other GDaD roles. Experience of working with digital teams and other professions to improve ways of working at scale across a number of teams. Experience of building capability in others and facilitating learning and development at scale, including of product management frameworks and tools.Demonstration of the ability to understand how to measure and track success of a programme and recalibrate areas of the programme to optimise outcomes- including demonstration of understanding the product lifecycle and knowing when to keep going on products and when to stop or pivot. Experience of successfully communicating with others to explain problems, present options, setting a direction for moving forward, and getting buy in for recommendations. Desirable Criteria: Significant knowledge of user research, or service, content or interaction design, or software engineering practices, and how product managers can successfully work with these professions to create better products. Experience of managing large teams. Working knowledge of ITIL v4Further Location InformationPlease ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a ‘Further Location Preferences (optional)’ field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.Office closuresFor more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.If your location preference is for the following site, it’s important to note that this is not a long-term site for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.This site is:Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, NewcastleYou will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage. Leeds Locations Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC’s Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.BenefitsAlongside your salary of 71,725, HM Revenue and Customs contributes 20,778 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.Family friendly policies.Personal support.Coaching and development.To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRChear from our insiders or visitThinking of joining the Civil ServiceThings you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial 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 detailsHow to ApplyAs part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences.A 750-word Personal Statement, describing how your skills and experience would make you suitable for the role, and how you meet the Essential Criteria and Person Specification. Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at interview.Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.SiftIn the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on your Personal Statement.At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement, will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.InterviewDuring the panel interview, you will be asked experience-based questions to assess what you are capable of.Interviews will take place via video link. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Please note that circumstances may arise that require the planned interview format to change. We will endeavour to provide you with as much notice of any change as possible.EligibilityPlease take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@ – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.Sponsorship We have assessed this role against both Home Office and HMRC criteria and we are unable to offer sponsorship for a Skilled Worker Visa. This means the vacancy is not open to applicants who require visa sponsorship.The HMRC app can help you with your applicationThe HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier. If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process. Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store. If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID. You’ll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint, or facial recognition. You can find guidance for technical issues on : Technical support with HMRC online services.Reserve ListA reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.Merit List After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.Criminal Record CheckApplications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.Hybrid working at HMRCHMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time). Reasonable AdjustmentsWe want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@ 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.Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkersThis role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the ‘location preferences’ section that you can travel to.Terms and Conditions Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process. Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.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.New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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 informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 applicantsJob contact : Name : Amit ChakravartyEmail : View email address on jobsthamesvalley.co.uk : 03000 559960Recruitment teamEmail : View email address on jobsthamesvalley.co.uk informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.