Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
Product Manager
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Bristol, Darlington, Leeds, Manchester, Wolverhampton
Job Summary
We are MHCLG
Here at the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG), we work on things that make a real difference to people’s lives. Whether it's through the homes we live in, the work of our local councils, or the communities we’re all part of, our work is at the top of the political agenda.
Local AI is a new team within MHCLG, working with councils to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in local public services. We support the responsible adoption of AI across local government, focusing on practical tools that save time, reduce costs and improve services for residents.
Local AI’s goal is not simply to introduce new technology. We work with councils and partners to solve real service challenges where AI can make the biggest difference.
Our work spans product development, service transformation, capability building and shaping the wider adoption of AI across local government. Recent examples include Local Transcribe our work supporting councils to responsibly adopt AI, and looking at how AI can play a role in temporary accommodation.
Joining Local AI offers a rare opportunity to help shape how one of the most significant changes of our time is applied in public services. You will work alongside experts from local and central government, academia and industry to test new ideas, deliver practical solutions and help improve outcomes for millions of people who rely on local services every day.
As a Product Manager, you will translate user needs, policy priorities and technical opportunities into products that deliver real value for councils and residents. You will lead multidisciplinary teams to discover, incubate and scale AI products, from shaping new opportunities through to developing and enhancing live services such as Local Transcribe. Working closely with councils and frontline practitioners, you will make evidence-based decisions that balance user needs, organisational priorities and delivery realities.
Find out more about our Digital teams and what they are working on through our MHCLG Digital blog. Please note that MHCLG do not offer visa sponsorship and applicants will need a valid visa for the duration of your employment.
Job Description
A Product Manager is responsible for product quality and value, working with the team to identify, implement and improve strategies and tactics for their products. As a Product Manager you’ll:
- Develop an understanding of our users' needs, including our business users, and champion these in the delivery of a part of a high-profile digital service
- Work with subject-matter experts to develop and prioritise a product backlog
- Write good user stories and make decisions based on data to improve the user experience
- Engage and work with users, stakeholders and others to develop, manage and sustain a strategy and vision, articulated in a vision statement and strategic roadmap and be responsible for the alignment of these artefacts throughout the life of the product
- Define and set measurable objectives and key results (OKRs) which can be reported against to demonstrate progress against stated benefits
- Lead a product through different phases of the product life cycle, from discovery, through development, delivery and continuous improvement, to retirement
- Support lead and senior product managers as part of the product management profession
- Prioritise work for your teams and be able to measure outcomes in line with quarterly delivery plans
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Responsibilities
A Product Manager is responsible for product quality and value, working with the team to identify, implement and improve strategies and tactics for their products. As a Product Manager you’ll:
- Develop an understanding of our users' needs, including our business users, and champion these in the delivery of a part of a high-profile digital service
- Work with subject-matter experts to develop and prioritise a product backlog
- Write good user stories and make decisions based on data to improve the user experience
- Engage and work with users, stakeholders and others to develop, manage and sustain a strategy and vision, articulated in a vision statement and strategic roadmap and be responsible for the alignment of these artefacts throughout the life of the product
- Define and set measurable objectives and key results (OKRs) which can be reported against to demonstrate progress against stated benefits
- Lead a product through different phases of the product life cycle, from discovery, through development, delivery and continuous improvement, to retirement
- Support lead and senior product managers as part of the product management profession
- Prioritise work for your teams and be able to measure outcomes in line with quarterly delivery plans
Person specification
As a Product Manager You’ll Have
- Experience of Product Management or a related profession
- Significant experience in leading a product through different phases of the product life cycle, from discovery, through development, delivery and continuous improvement, to retirement
- Experience of engaging and working with users, stakeholders and others to develop a strategy and vision
- Ability to create a prioritised roadmap and use it to discuss your product strategy with internal as well as external audience
- Ability to work with your team to investigate and validate what adds value now and what could add value in future and using that to prioritise work for your teams and be able to measure as well as demonstrate outcomes at various levels
- Ability to demonstrate where you have used an iterative and flexible approach to deliver outcomes that meet user needs
- Experience of working as part of a team to deliver improvements to a service
- Strong communication skills, with experience of stakeholder management
- Experience of delivering solutions to meet issues and problems that arise from day-to-day operations and through project delivery
Alongside your salary of £45,773, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government contributes £13,260 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
At MHCLG we offer many benefits that range from tailored career pathways and flexible working to MyLifestyle Childcare Voucher and Cycle to Work Schemes. For more information, please click here.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
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Selection process details
Application and Selection
The application process will be split into 2 stages, testing the following Success Profiles:
- Behaviours
- Experience
- Technical
Please ensure your CV does not contain any personally identifiable information.
Note: We do not consider direct CV applications. All applications must be submitted via the provided application link.
Stage 1: Sift (CV)
Experience: Your CV will be assessed against the criteria in the job description and person specification.
Most of our campaigns utilise multiple assessors and so it is possible that each of your answers would be viewed by different assessors.
In the event that we receive a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift using the lead sift question listed in the advert. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to interview.
Lead sift question (Experience): Describe a piece of work where you helped improve a product or service for users. What did you do and what happened as a result?
Stage 2: Interview
- Behaviours: Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, and Seeing the Big Picture.
- Experience: Experience questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
- Technical: Technical questions will be based around the essential skills and criteria as listed in the job description.
Sift and Interview Dates
Sifting is envisaged to take place the week commencing 21st September 2026.
Interviews are currently being held remotely via videocall. This could be subject to change.
How We Recruit
Find out everything you need to know before applying here..
- Applying
- Sifting
- Interview
- Interview Results & Feedback
- Reserve List
- Near Miss
- Civil Service Grades
- We are a DCS, RIS & GPTWV employer
- Reasonable Adjustments
Human
How To Apply
What you need to know before applying.
You must review the following information from the MHCLG Career's Site before submitting your application. This step is essential to ensure your eligibility for the role and that your application is completed correctly.
- Security Clearance Requirements
- Civil Service Nationality Requirements
- Right to Work
- Artificial Intelligence
- Civil Service Code and Recruitment Principles
- CV Declaration
- Sponsorships
- Salary and Grade
- Existing Civil Servants
- Conflict of Interest
- Location and Flexible Working
- Fixed Term Contracts
- Internal Fraud Database - Internal Fraud Register
- Appeals and Complaints
- Conflict of Interest
Security Clearance Requirements
National Office: BPSS
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
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
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