Lead Product Owner (SC Cleared) - Aerospace & Defence
Location: Reading (Hybrid Working Available)
Security Clearance: Active SC Clearance Required
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Product Owner to play a key role in delivering high-impact digital initiatives within the aerospace and defence sector. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and mature product ownership practices across complex, highly regulated programmes.
This role requires active SC clearance due to the sensitive nature of the work and includes a mix of on-site collaboration and flexible hybrid working arrangements.
The Opportunity
You will lead the evolution of product ownership across multiple digital programmes, driving best practice, strengthening governance, and ensuring the successful delivery of value-led outcomes.
Working closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, engineering teams, and key stakeholders, you will provide strategic leadership to enhance collaboration, prioritisation, and delivery performance across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities
Define and continuously improve product ownership frameworks and governance models to ensure scalable, consistent delivery
Lead backlog management and prioritisation, aligning delivery with strategic objectives and measurable outcomes
Drive strong collaboration between Product Owners, Business Analysts, and delivery teams
Oversee end-to-end delivery of digital and data-driven initiatives
Manage and challenge supplier performance, ensuring quality, timeliness, and value
Embed best practice product management standards across teams
Provide leadership and coaching to develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams
Key Skills & Experience
Essential
Demonstrated leadership of product ownership across multiple large-scale programmes
Strong experience delivering complex digital products in defence, aerospace, or regulated environments
Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and suppliers
Deep knowledge of Agile and Lean product management practices
Strong technical awareness across infrastructure, platforms, security, and modern architectures
Expertise in backlog management, prioritisation, and value-driven decision making
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including senior leadership engagement
Desirable
Experience working across international or multinational programmes
Track record of shaping organisational product standards and governance
Experience building and scaling product ownership capabilities and culture