MI5 is responsible for protecting the UK from threats to our National Security. In this age of unprecedented technological change, we are embarking on a transformation to ensure we keep our edge and continue to keep the country safe from a range of complex threats. We're building a team to help drive our transformation across our organisation to ensure we are equipped for our mission now and in the future. We need people who are comfortable with uncertainty, curious about the future and able to adapt to keep us ahead.

Who we are

We recognise the importance of product to our overall digital transformation. We are in the first year of driving our work through OKRs (Objectives and Key Results), using agile philosophy to deliver the products that are core to our organisation's operation. Product Management and Product Ownership are the heart of our digital transformation and we are making a significant investment in these capabilities. We aspire to create the best products in the world for our organisation. With the right team, we can make this happen.

Our team

The Head of Profession for Product Management is a role at the heart of our transformation. You will work alongside the Chief Product Officer and Head of Product. Our Product Managers and Owners are based within their customer areas and work directly with our development teams to deliver the products that add the greatest value to our mission. You will work with these owners and managers to ensure we get the best from them.

We are at the very start of an exciting professionalisation journey, where learning from other organisations and building a Product Management capability that works for us is a priority. Product Management is a relatively new function within our organisation and its success is pivotal to delivery of our strategy. This function benefits from strong support from the very top of the organisation and is a high-profile, expanding area of the business which touches upon everyone who supports delivery of our organisation's mission.

Who you are

You will be an experienced Product Management professional. Keen to take on a senior role, defining and driving an ambitious and challenging professionalisation agenda. You will play a key role in our evolving Product Management capability to enable our digital transformation.

We are interested in people who:

• Have experience of implementing and developing Product Management successfully in a commercial environment or have been a Product Manager/Owner across a range of different areas
• Have a pragmatic approach to implementing Product Management and are creative in overcoming barriers and challenges
• Value and champion professional development in Product Management
• Have experience of gaining commitment from a range of stakeholders of various seniorities to implement new ideas and ways of working
• Have excellent and trusted links with a wide range of organisations to facilitate exchange of knowledge and learning

What you'll do;

As the Head of Profession for Product Management you will grow and enhance our Product Management capability and act as a source of inspiration and challenge. You will bring great examples of best practice into the organisation and drive their adoption. You will be responsible for growing and nurturing the skills needed in our Product Management capability to deliver against our priorities. You will bring the best of the industry to grow and develop our own highly skilled PM team to keep us at the cutting edge.

You will;

• Work closely with the Chief Product Officer and Head of Product to produce and maintain a vision and plan for professionalisation
• Manage a small team who will help you to define your vision and mobilise your plans
• Develop and maintain a supportive relationship with our community of Product Managers and Owners to enhance skills and capability
• Work closely with the Head of Product to explore and enable new ways of working and balance the need to deliver today against transforming the capability to meet our future needs
• Become part of the wider Head of Profession community to mature the profession in line with other areas of the business such as Business Analysis and Project, Programme and Portfolio Management.

Benefits
• 25 days annual leave and 10.5 public and privilege holidays
• Financial support for learning and development
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

Recruitment Process
The recruitment process for this role will be as follows:
• Initial application - this includes a number of standard eligibility questions to establish if you are eligible to apply for this role
• CV submission
• Panel interview - prior to the interview you will be asked to complete an online personality questionnaire, which will be used in conjunction with the interview