Intro
The organisation has reached an important inflection point. It has built a proven product, established strong market traction, and is entering its next phase of growth. The challenge is no longer proving the model. The challenge is scaling it without compromising quality.
That is what this role is for.
We are looking for a Product Director who thrives on building operational systems that enable exceptional products to scale. This is not a traditional product management role. It is a leadership opportunity for someone who thinks in systems, has exceptionally high standards, moves with pace, and sees AI as fundamental to how modern organisations should operate.
Role Overview
Reporting directly to senior leadership, the Product Director will lead the Product Development function responsible for the operational product layer supporting a rapidly growing programme portfolio.
You will transform strategic vision into scalable operating models, build the infrastructure that enables sustainable growth, and ensure products continue to improve as the organisation expands. Your work will directly influence quality, execution speed, commercial performance, and the overall customer experience.
This is a leadership role with line management responsibility for Product Development team members while working closely alongside peers responsible for learner delivery, commercial operations, technology, marketing, and partner success.
Why This Opportunity?
Few organisations reach the point where the product works, demand is growing rapidly, and the next challenge becomes building the operational engine capable of supporting the next stage of expansion.
This organisation is there now.
The ambition is significant. Growth is planned and measurable. Success will depend on creating systems that allow more products to launch, more efficiently, while continually raising quality rather than compromising it.
This role exists because operational excellence is becoming one of the organisation's greatest competitive advantages.
If you enjoy solving difficult operational problems, building for scale rather than today's requirements, and creating systems that enable people to do their best work, this is an opportunity to have genuine organisational impact.
What You'll Own
The operational infrastructure supporting programme development, launch and continuous improvement
Product quality across the customer journey, ensuring every improvement raises standards rather than simply increasing speed
Operational systems, tooling and AI enabled workflows that improve efficiency and scalability
Launch readiness by reducing friction, increasing repeatability and improving execution without sacrificing quality
Cross functional operating rhythms that align Product, Technology, Delivery, Commercial and Marketing teams
Operational reporting, KPIs and decision making frameworks that support continuous improvement
Prioritisation and execution across multiple initiatives, ensuring strategic objectives are translated into delivery
Building scalable operating models capable of supporting significant future growth
Developing and leading the Product Development team while coaching individuals and creating a culture of continuous improvement
What You Won't Own
Strategic business direction, which is established by senior leadership
Learner facing delivery operations, which are led by a dedicated Learner Delivery Director
Academic content, curriculum design or subject matter expertise
Instead, your role is to ensure the operational systems supporting these functions are world class, scalable and continuously improving
What Success Looks Like
Within your first 30 days
Develop a deep understanding of how programmes currently operate and where operational friction exists
Build strong working relationships across leadership and key cross functional teams
Identify the highest leverage opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and scalability
Understand how AI is currently being used and where it can create significantly greater value
Develop an informed perspective on what excellent operational product delivery should look like
Within your first 90 days
Lead operational improvements that measurably improve launch readiness and execution
Introduce scalable operating practices that improve consistency across programmes
Present a prioritised roadmap for product operations, tooling and AI integration
Become the trusted operational leader colleagues turn to when complex challenges arise
Within your first 180 days
Operational performance is improving across measurable KPIs
Launches become faster, more repeatable and more predictable
AI is embedded meaningfully into operational workflows rather than used as a standalone tool
The Product Development function is enabling the organisation to scale confidently without compromising quality
Senior leadership spends significantly less time resolving operational issues and more time focusing on strategic growth
Requirements
Who We're Looking For
You have successfully built products, operational systems or platforms within fast growing organisations
You naturally think several stages ahead and build for future scale rather than today's requirements
You combine strategic thinking with exceptional operational execution
You have a strong product mindset and care deeply about customer outcomes and quality
You are highly AI fluent and already use modern AI tools daily to improve decision making, productivity and innovation
You understand that operational excellence exists to accelerate commercial growth, not create unnecessary process
You communicate clearly, make decisions confidently and influence across functions without relying on hierarchy
You enjoy working in ambitious, fast moving environments where expectations are high and bureaucracy is low
Experience within digital learning, SaaS, technology, marketplaces or another rapidly scaling environment would be advantageous but is not essential
This Role Is Not
This role is unlikely to suit someone who prefers highly structured, consensus driven organisations where change happens slowly
It is not focused on curriculum design, academic leadership or learner delivery
It is not a large people management position. Success comes from influencing across functions, improving systems and enabling others to perform at their best
If you are excited by solving operational complexity, challenging conventional approaches, embracing AI, and continuously raising standards, this role offers an exceptional opportunity to make a lasting impact
Benefits
Collaborative, people centred performance culture
Opportunity to shape a high growth product function during a pivotal stage of organisational growth
Flexible remote working within UK hours with international collaboration
Professional development within an ambitious, fast paced environment
Our Recruitment Process
We run a fast, transparent recruitment process designed to help both you and us determine whether this is the right opportunity. We value your time and aim to keep every stage purposeful, engaging and efficient.
Application Review Every application is reviewed by our recruitment team and hiring stakeholders
Introductory Conversation A 30 minute conversation to discuss the opportunity, your experience, and mutual fit
Leadership Interview A 60 minute interview with senior leadership, exploring your experience, approach, and how you would contribute to the organisation's growth
Cross Functional Interview A 60 minute discussion with key stakeholders from across the organisation to explore collaboration, leadership style, and problem solving
Practical Assessment A focused take home exercise designed to reflect the challenges of the role. We ask candidates to allow approximately 2 to 3 hours to complete the assessment
Final Conversation and Offer A final discussion with senior leadership followed by an offer for the successful candidate
Throughout every stage, we believe in clear communication, timely feedback, and a professional candidate experience.
Peopleworth is an employer group that supports work environments where people and performance thrive. The company partners with forward-thinking organizations to deliver strategic education-focused initiatives and solutions. Operating through their Employer Group structure, they work with a variety of partners to create opportunities that combine strong stakeholder engagement with operational excellence. The company focuses on partnership management, account leadership, and the delivery of educational initiatives across multiple client relationships.
