Location
MOD Corsham, Westwells Road, Corsham, SN13 9NR, MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, London, SW1A 2HB
Please note that there will be regular travel required to other sites.
About the job
Job summary
The MOD's digital teams ensure we remain among the most technologically advanced Armed Forces in the world. We develop and lead in cutting-edge data science, automation, and cybersecurity solutions to protect the UK and its interests, at home and abroad.
At the Defence AI Centre (DAIC), our mission is to advance the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to give the MOD a decisive edge. We drive the ambitious, safe, and responsible adoption of AI across Defence, to make the difference where it matters most. Joining the DAIC means becoming part of a world-leading, multi-disciplinary team at the forefront of AI innovation. You'll be working closely with partners across the MOD, international allies, government agencies, industry leaders, and academic experts to shape the future of UK Defence AI.
Step into the forefront of innovation at the DAIC and become part of a pioneering team that's at the forefront of transforming Defence technology
Watch our video to see what we do at Defence Digital
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
As Lead Product Manager, you will be at the forefront of delivering the AI capabilities needed to support the UK's Defence strategy. You will lead and manage a small and evolving portfolio of AI Pathfinder projects, covering both battle-space and business-space applications of AI.
These AI Pathfinders will typically be in the early stages of the product life-cycle, as early incubators, accelerators or proof-of-value pilots, with those which are successful being scaled. In some cases, you will lead the team delivering the product, in others you will partner with existing development teams across defence.
You'll take ownership of a product portfolio or end-to-end service, driving quality, value, and strategic direction. You'll collaborate across teams to shape and refine product strategies, while playing a key role in programme delivery and leadership. Your responsibilities will include managing both products and people, maintaining and evolving the high-level road-map, supporting programme management activities, and providing strategic leadership across your product area. You'll also be involved in recruiting, mentoring, and coaching junior Product Managers to help build capability within the team.
This role also involves:
* Balancing resources between teams, to ensure the overall outcomes are aligned to product vision and use of resources are optimised to deliver best value.
* Work with service management teams, for example ensuring these have timely access to products and information so they can support them.
* Develop and execute product strategy that keeps key stakeholders informed, aligns to product vision, and ensure customer value is prioritised.
* Provide the engagement and information needed to enable users to make the most of a products across its life cycle.
* Work with the problem owner to ensure problems are fully understood and product solutions meet their needs.
* Encourage and facilitate continuous improvement of the delivery team.
You will play a key role in maintaining stakeholder alignment and delivering innovative, mission-critical outcomes that harness AI to strengthen the UK's Defence.
Please refer to the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework for more information about the skills required for this role: Product manager - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (ddat-capability-)
Person specification
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to lead on AI products in the absence of established patterns or precedents. The ideal candidate will be adaptable, perceptive, and comfortable working in a fast paced and complex environment.
You will have experience working in hybrid delivery environments where Agile interfaces with other methodologies such as Waterfall, demonstrating the ability to collaborate effectively and reach pragmatic compromises. You will have a track record of applying Digital Service principles to meet user needs, maximise value delivery and operational efficiency. A clear understanding of the distinction between product development and bespoke customisation is essential, along with proven experience in strategic planning, product ownership, and maintaining a strong user-focused approach.
When submitting your CV, please highlight your career history and experience relevant to this role. Additionally, refer to the "Things You Need to Know" section of the advert and provide a statement of suitability (max. 1250 words) demonstrating the
essential criteria
listed below:
* Explain your experience of incubating digital products from the start of their life cycle and into scaling and/or live service.
* Explain your experience of managing competing deadlines while keeping your team engaged, motivated, and aligned with key priorities.
* Describe your ability to build partnerships with customer and delivery teams, achieve consensus and drive strategic decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups.
Experience with AI, machine learning, or data science products or programmes would add value to the role, but don't worry if you don't have this, we'd still love to hear from you
Do you want to hear more about this role? We would love for you to join us, and learn more from members of the team, at our upcoming candidate brief, being held on
07/10/25 @ 5pm.
To confirm your attendance, please email us, using your personal email at
ukstratcomdd-hr-
with your name and CSJ job reference number. We will then forward you a Microsoft Team's invite to be able to join on the day.
The DAIC will also soon be recruiting for a range of other exciting roles across our growing team, so keep an eye on the Civil Service Jobs website for upcoming vacancies in:
* Business Relationship
* Solutions Architecture
* Business Analysis
* Data Science
Don't miss the opportunity to be part of something impactful, stay tuned
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Online Test and Sift
You will be required to complete an online
Civil Service Judgement Test
as the first stage of the application process. If you are successful, you will then be invited to submit a full application. At sift you will be assessed against your CV and personal statement. You will need to provide a personal statement (
maximum 1,250 words
) demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification, along with your CV.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to complete both the test and the remainder of the application form.
Interview
The interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams, and we'll assess you against these Behaviours and Technical Skills:
Behaviours
* Leadership
* Making Effective Decisions
* Delivering at Pace
* Seeing the Bigger Picture
Technical Skills:
* Product Leadership
* Lifecycle Management
Presentation
In addition to the interview, you will be required to present for 5 minutes on a topic related to the role. The topic of the presentation will be sent to you in advance of your interview. We will try and offer as much flexibility as we can, but it may not be possible to offer alternative dates for interviews or assessments.
Candidates will be required to complete an online
Civil Service Judgement test.
The Civil Service Judgement Test is not bankable and therefore must be taken on every vacancy where it is applied.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* 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) (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 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
contact point for applicants
Job contact :
* Name :DD Talent Acquisition Team
* Email :ukstratcomdd-hr-
Recruitment team
Email :DBSCivPers-