Product Lead (Public Sector) – Kainos
Kainos – Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators driven by a shared mission to create real impact. We believe in a people‑first culture where ideas are valued, growth is supported, and contributions make a difference. Join us to be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.
As a Product Lead at Kainos, you will play a lead role across one or more multi-disciplinary agile delivery teams. You will own the end‑to‑end backlog for a product, responsible for its overall quality and maturity. You will lead the business analysts and product consultants on your project, ensuring that requirements gathering and prioritisation processes are effective.
You will work with delivery managers and solution architects to shape the approach for the work you and the wider team undertake. You will proactively seek commercial opportunities and take a lead role in product‑level commercial negotiations. You will actively support engagement with product or programme‑level business stakeholders, gaining their buy‑in and managing their expectations. You will act as a visible leader within the consulting capability, owning the delivery of consulting initiatives. You’ll also manage, coach and develop a small number of staff, with a focus on managing employee performance.
Responsibilities
* Own the end‑to‑end product backlog and take responsibility for story quality and maturity.
* Lead the business analysts and product consultants on the project; ensure effective requirements gathering, refinement and prioritisation.
* Collaborate with delivery managers and solution architects to shape approach and scope within commercial constraints.
* Seek and realise commercial opportunities; lead product‑level commercial negotiations.
* Engage product or programme‑level stakeholders, gain buy‑in, and manage expectations.
* Act as a visible leader within the consulting capability and deliver consulting initiatives.
* Coach and develop staff; manage performance of team members.
Minimum Requirements
* Experience in bespoke software delivery within an agile team, including client‑facing/consulting experience.
* UK Public sector experience (central government).
* Experience owning end‑to‑end product backlogs and ensuring story quality and maturity.
* Experience shaping approaches across lifecycle phases (analysis, acceptance, launch, live operations) and ensuring effective requirements gathering, refinement and prioritisation.
* Experience creating goal‑oriented roadmaps, gaining stakeholder buy‑in, and focusing on MVP delivery.
* Experience leading product teams and communicating the product vision to manage scope.
* Proven ability to lead and promote good product management practices across agile teams.
* Experience coaching clients and colleagues in agile techniques and best practices.
* Strong team management skills, including mentoring and coaching.
* Strong commercial awareness and active participation in revenue or sales‑generating activity.
* Ability to build and maintain relationships with product and programme‑level stakeholders.
* Facilitation of workshops with senior stakeholders and ability to negotiate conflicting viewpoints.
* Experience implementing tools/standards/techniques for business analysis and requirements gathering with client buy‑in.
* Ability to work with delivery leads and solution architects to manage scope within cost and deadlines.
* Understanding of relevant technologies and architecture concepts.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that reflects the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek talented people from all backgrounds and provide a level playing field for all candidates.
Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way. If you require any accommodations or adjustments, please reach out. We understand everyone’s journey is different, and we can tailor the recruitment process to your needs.
#J-18808-Ljbffr