Vacancy title
Lead Product Manager – HR & Finance applications – G7
Closing date
13/02/2026, 16:00
Advertising basis
Permanent
Actual starting salary
A non-negotiable starting salary of £61,098 will be offered to the successful candidate
Salary range or pay band
Grade 7 £61,098 to £73,057
Allowances
No
Work pattern
Full time (applications are welcome from people who work part time, as part of a job share or who work full time)
Group
Corporate Services and Inspectorates
Directorate
DDaT & KAS
Branch
IT Services
Location(s)
Pan Wales
Purpose of post
The Welsh Government delivers digital services to people and business across Wales. Led by our Chief Digital Officer, the Welsh Government is increasingly delivering more services online and has a vision (outlined in the Digital Strategy for Wales) of improving the lives of everyone through collaboration, innovation and better public services. To achieve this vision, the Welsh Government needs specialist digital, data and technology skills across all departments in the organisation to improve the services and policies we develop for Welsh citizens. For more information about the benefits of making a difference with us, please see the Employee Benefits Pack.
Team/Division Overview
The successful candidate will report to the Head of IT Services, Operations and Engineering. You will be responsible for the ongoing management, support and delivery of core corporate applications including HR and Finance.
Job Role
This post is mapped to Lead Product Manager in the DDaT Profession Capability Framework. Follow the link to understand the role and the required skills. The Lead Product Manager for HR and Finance systems will lead the functional application teams responsible for delivering secure, compliant, and high-performing systems that support critical business processes. This role combines strategic product ownership with operational leadership, ensuring systems meet business needs, adhere to governance standards, and deliver value through continuous improvement.
We Are Looking For People Who Are:
* Strong leaders with experience of managing functional teams
* Have Knowledge of ITIL principles and governance frameworks
* Experienced communicators with the ability to engage with both internal and external stakeholders
Key tasks
* Help others make value-based decisions, influencing the direction of development
* Influence and negotiate with senior stakeholders to resolve issues and enable progress
Your Main Day To Day Responsibilities Will Include:
* Lead on defining and maintaining the product vision and roadmap for HR and Finance systems aligned with organisational objectives.
* Ensure application development lifecycle principles are applied and followed.
* Advise and influence stakeholders at management level regarding delivery, costs, availability, and functionality of systems.
* Set the overall direction for the functional team, ensuring adherence to ITIL standards and best practice guidelines.
* Ensure systems are secure, compliant, and licensed in line with corporate policy and contractual agreements.
* Lead on stakeholder management, ensuring effective communication with key customers and managing expectations around application functionality and service availability.
* Develop effective partnerships with business stakeholders to ensure systems meet operational needs.
* Act as key contact for 3rd party suppliers, ensuring arrangements deliver the highest value through proactive engagement and management of deliverables under the contracts as appropriate, taking overall responsibility for service delivery and contract management.
* Ensure system incidents and development requests are managed, prioritised, and delivered in line with agreed SLAs.
* Ensure team members operate within specified governance and control structures.
* Day-to-day management and leadership of application functional teams.
* Manage and monitor performance of direct reports in line with agreed objectives.
* Lead recruitment activity and workforce planning for the team.
Development opportunities
As a member of the Digital, Data and Technology profession in Welsh Government you will have access to a range of learning and development opportunities. You will have the opportunity to work on various projects and engage with colleagues at all levels from within the profession and business areas across the organisation. Welsh Government is supportive of your learning and development and has a range of training and opportunities available including a suite of online training, coaching and mentoring, and short-term experience placements which you will be able to take advantage of depending on your learning and development needs and discussions with your line manager.
Other vacancy related information
* This advertisement confirms the overall criteria being assessed throughout this recruitment exercise. For further details on the criteria and evidence required at the application stage, you will need to press apply and review the application form.
* When presenting your evidence, you may find it useful to consider the expectations of the grade as set out in the Grade Description as well as the main responsibilities that are essential for the role.
* A reserve list may be held for this opportunity. Any candidate who is successful in being offered a reserve status will remain on the reserve list for 12 months.
* In the event of a large number of applications, an initial sift will be conducted against the lead assessment criterion: Experience 2 – Excellent knowledge of both HR and Finance business processes and how they support business activities. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
* In the case of more than one candidate scoring the same, the panel has agreed the following criteria will determine merit order:
* Experience – Excellent knowledge of both HR and Finance business processes and how they support business activities
* Experience – Excellent operational knowledge of HR or Finance Systems e.g. Oracle, SAP or equivalent.
* Behaviour – Leadership – Be visible to staff and stakeholders and regularly undertake activities to engage and build trust with people involved in area of work
* DDaT Skill – Product Management – Create a prioritised roadmap for your products and use it to discuss strategy at all levels
* Candidates who successfully demonstrate that they meet the minimum Experience Criteria will be invited to interview. Interviews will be scheduled for week commencing w/c 9th March. You will receive a technical scenario for you to prepare a response to ready for your interview. The technical scenario and instructions will be emailed to you 5 days before your interview.
* This is a hybrid role where the post holder will be expected to attend their local Welsh Government office in line with organisation expectations and to meet business needs.
Vetting level
SC – Candidates applying for a role that requires SC clearance must have normally resided in the UK for a minimum of the last 5 years
Number of posts
1
Contact point for further information regarding the post
ictservicecontrol@gov.wales
Welsh language requirements
3 – Welsh language skills are not essential for this post, they are however desirable and will be considered if two or more candidates receive the same score at the application or interview stage.
Nationality Requirements
* UK nationals
* nationals of the Republic of Ireland
* nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
* nationals 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)
* 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 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Benefits
* Civil Service Pension Scheme
* 31 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time)
* Training and development opportunities
* Cycle2Work Scheme
* Smart Working flexible working arrangement
* Green Car Scheme (subject to availability)
How To Apply
All applications for this vacancy must be made using our online application system. Unless stated otherwise in the 'Other vacancy-related information for advert', the Welsh Government cannot offer Visa sponsorship. Welsh Government holds a Visa sponsorship licence, but this can only be used for certain roles and this campaign does not qualify. Applications are welcomed from people with a diverse range of lived and professional experiences. We are actively committed to becoming an increasingly diverse organisation which represents the diverse communities we serve. If you have an impairment which prevents you from applying online, please email our recruitment team. You can request an application pack in an alternative format or request a recruitment adjustment to help you submit your application.
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