Head of Product Engineering, Student experience
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: Full-Time, 37.5 hours, permanent
Location: IB (International Baccalaureate) Global Centre, Cardiff
Hybrid working opportunity, [office presence required once per week]
About the IB
If you're looking to work for a global organisation with a meaningful mission, and with colleagues all over the world, then the International Baccalaureate (IB) may have the ideal opportunity for you! The International Baccalaureate provides world-class educational services to over 5,700 schools across 162 countries. A career at IB is not just a job; it’s an opportunity to work with an innovative world leader in education services and contribute to our 50-year mission of creating a better and more peaceful world. Apply now to join our global organisation where we empower our employees to thrive and make a difference.
About the Job
The Head of Product Engineering – Student Experience Systems is responsible for leading the development and operations of the technologies for the IB’s Student Experience product domain. This encompasses product support, service efficiency, change management, and the development of new products. The person will champion new development practices, creative solutions and strategies within the DevOps framework to streamline operations, improve deployment processes, and accelerate time-to-market for new features and products. The role involves working closely with the product team to drive development efficiency, innovation and value creation in this domain.
Key Responsibilities
1. Critical role in ensuring systems supporting Student Experience technology and Integration services are working as expected, meet the agreed upon goals and changes are delivered as agreed with Product Management Heads.
2. Deliver on Digital Office’s guiding principles for the Digital Transformation of the IB, including: “We have a simplified, modular and secure technology architecture and manage Tech Debt” & “Our technology delivery capabilities are Efficient, Resilient and Predictable”, for their domain
3. Lead and drive the integration of DevOps practices for this domain to enhance product development efficiency and reliability, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation.
4. Champion creative solutions and strategies within the DevOps framework to streamline operations, improve deployment processes, and accelerate time-to-market for new features and products.
5. Collaborate closely with Product team and IT stakeholders to manage product changes. Ensure compliance with architectural standards, integration frameworks, and quality standards. Confirm resource and skills readiness before transitioning to operational systems.
6. Develop yearly and quarterly goals and objectives aligning with the organizational and dept priorities
7. Work with product heads to identify and align on priorities, with architectural team on technology roadmap, with IT heads for cross functional dependencies and plan for resourcing, skills requirements as part of planning process
8. Responsible for Financial planning, resource planning, training and development needs of the team under Student Experience function
9. Maintain effective communication with stakeholders to manage expectations and address concerns.
10. Manage monthly operations review with IT service delivery manager, and key stakeholders with the goal to meet/or exceed on agreed upon SLA’s with documented action plan for areas with missed SLA’s.
About You
11. Product engineering: Proven track record as a functional head in a global environment, including demonstrated team leadership, resource management and delivery management.
12. Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience collaborating with diverse teams, including product managers, cross functional engineering teams, instructional designers, educators, and administrators.
13. Team leadership: Experience building and managing a team of dev ops engineers, delivery managers and operational staff to deliver high-quality products that align with the company's vision and objectives.
14. Understanding of the K-12 education sector globally and the role and market for curriculum’s like the IB
15. Knowledge of trends, technologies, and emerging innovations in educational technology.
16. Knowledge of IT systems, software development life cycle, Agile framework, ITIL, assessment and education technology systems
17. Master’s degree in IT, computer science or related discipline
18. Good understanding of software development processes, methodologies, and technologies.
19. Proficiency in Agile project management practices, with focus on Scrum to facilitate product development cycles.
20. Preferable to have knowledge of student experience systems like digital assessment, student sites, course work and AI in edtech
21. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
22. Aptitude for identifying challenges, structuring complexity, generating creative solutions, and making informed decisions to overcome obstacles
23. Experience as a leader
24. Passionate about using technology and digital platforms/tools to improve ways of working on daily basis
In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including:
25. 10% employer pension contribution (3% employee contribution required)
26. Enhanced family friendly benefits
27. 25 Days annual leave, plus public holidays, with the choice to buy up to 5 days additional annual leave
28. Life assurance 4x annual salary
29. Flexible working hours
30. Paid volunteering leave
31. Excellent continuous professional development
32. 1.5 % Flexible benefits allowance
33. Health and wellness schemes
34. Cycle to Work scheme
35. Discounts on a range of products, including days out
36. Cash back opportunities available from a wide range of retailers
37. Employee Assistance Programme
38. Free on-site car parking*
*Please note that in September 2025 our Cardiff Office will relocate to Fusion Point One, Dumballs Road, Cardiff, CF10 5BF. The building is a 5-minute walk from Cardiff Central Station and a 10-minute walk to the city centre. Our new offices will have 60 parking spaces available which will be reservable online.
Applications are being received until 25 August 2025
We are committed to building a working environment that values respect, diversity, and compassion. The International Baccalaureate is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified applicants.