Product Manager For Staff Experience

The GLA has been at the forefront of digital and data innovation in London since its inception – will you join us as we make an exciting step change in our digital capability?

Digital and data services play a critical role in enabling the delivery of the functions of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly, and a relentless focus on user needs is critical to ensuring these services deliver the best experience for our users.

This role will sit within the Product team in the Digital Transformation Unit (DEU), which is responsible for the delivery of all internal and external digital products and services at the GLA. We manage the design, delivery and improvement of dozens of digital, data and technology services that support the delivery of the functions of the Mayor and the Assembly.

Organisational design and transformation is at the heart of the DEU’s work – helping to put in place the building blocks of a modern digital organisation: a common core infrastructure of shared digital systems, technology and processes on which it’s easy to build effective, user-centric services and products for citizens, partners and GLA staff.

About the role 

As Product Manager for Staff Experience, you’ll join the user-centred design capability in our Digital Transformation Unit, working alongside our product team (including user researchers, content designers, business analysts and project and Product Managers) to ensure high quality products and services for Staff as part of our digital transformation programme.

You’ll lead on the planning, prioritisation and product strategy for the staff Intranet as well as influencing and supporting the continuous improvement of the GLA’s internal services more widely. Championing good practice, accessibility and a user centred mindset in our approach to developing products for Staff, you’ll be responsible for setting standards and taking responsibility for the delivery of improved products and processes for Staff, supporting cultural change and transformation across the GLA.

It’s essential you have experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and can demonstrate strong communication and influencing skills.

While your priority will be improving internal services, in particular the GLA Intranet, you may work in multi-disciplinary teams on a wide range of products with colleagues across a range of service and policy areas.

Skills, knowledge and experience:

To be considered for the role you must meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience working in a multidisciplinary, agile team, often with differing reporting lines, based in or out of the office, with in-house staff and contractors, whilst managing multiple suppliers.
• Experience in managing multiple projects at once, maintaining roadmaps and setting direction and digital product strategy.
• Extensive experience working in a user-centred manner, drawing out user needs and building, testing and iterating user stories.
• Demonstrable track record of maintaining and improving digital services.
• Thorough understanding of digital trends, practices and directions.
• Working knowledge of a range of digital and collaborative tools, including those focused on sprint management, project planning, wireframing, photo editing and budget monitoring.

Behavioural competencies

Building and managing relationships

… is developing rapport and working effectively with a diverse range of people, sharing knowledge and skills to deliver shared goals.

Level 3 indicators:

• Actively engages partners and encourages others to build relationships that support GLA objectives
• Understands and recognises the contributions that staff at all levels make to delivering priorities
• Proactively manages partner relationships, preventing or resolving any conflict
• Adapts style to work effectively with partners, building consensus, trust and respect
• Delivers objectives by bringing together diverse stakeholders to work effectively in partnership

Stakeholder focus

… is consulting with, listening to and understanding the needs of those our work impacts and using this knowledge to shape what we do and manage others’ expectations.

Level 3 indicators:

• Understands diverse stakeholder needs and tailors team deliverables accordingly
• Is a role model to others, encouraging them to think of Londoners first
• Manages stakeholder expectations, so they are high but realistic
• Removes barriers to understanding the needs of diverse stakeholders, including hard to reach groups
• Focuses own and team’s efforts on delivering a quality and committed service

Communicating and influencing

… is presenting information and arguments clearly and convincingly so that others see us as credible and articulate, and engage with us.

Level 3 indicators:

• Encourages and supports teams in engaging in transparent and inclusive communication
• Influences others and gains buy-in using compelling, well thought through arguments
• Negotiates effectively to deliver GLA priorities
• Synthesises the complex viewpoints of others, recognises where compromise is necessary and brokers agreement
• Advocates positively for the GLA both within and outside the organisation

Decision making

… is forming sound, evidence-based judgements, making choices, assessing risks to delivery, and taking accountability for results.

Level 3 indicators:

• Makes sound decisions quickly on behalf of the GLA when a situation requires intervention
• Takes responsibility for team decisions, providing rationale when those decisions are questioned
• Involves senior stakeholders early in decisions that impact them
• Analyses organisational risks associated with decisions, including those with long term impacts, before committing to action
• Encourages others in the team to make decisions in their own area of expertise, take appropriate risks and learn from experience

Problem solving

… is analysing and interpreting situations from a variety of viewpoints and finding creative, workable and timely solutions.

Level 3 indicators:

• Clarifies ambiguous problems, questioning assumptions to reach a fuller understanding
• Actively challenges the status quo to find new ways of doing things, looking for good practice
• Seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives to help produce workable strategies to address compel issues
• Initiates consultation on opportunities to improve work processes
• Supports the organisation to implement innovative suggestions.

How to apply 

If you would like to apply for the role you will need to submit the following:

Up to date CV

Personal statement with a maximum of 1500 words. Please ensure you address how you demonstrate the essential criteria outlined above in the advert.

Assessment process 

Once you have submitted an application, your details will be reviewed by a panel.

If shortlisted you’ll be invited to an interview/assessment.

The interview/assessment date is: Week commencing 5 August 2024

Equality, diversity and inclusion

London's diversity is its biggest asset and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects London's diversity at all levels. We welcome applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability.

We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority ethnic candidates and disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and we are happy to consider flexible working arrangements. We would welcome applications from candidates who are seeking part time work as this role is open to job share. 

Please note we are a Disability Confident Employer so for candidates who wish to be considered under the scheme and meet the essential criteria, they will automatically be invited to interview. Please note, should you require any adjustments through the process, we will accommodate as much as possible. Please contact the recruitment team for further information if required.

GLA staff are hybrid working up to 3 days a week in our offices and remotely depending on their role. As part of this, you will need to split your time between home working and coming into the office.

In addition to a good salary package, you will be paid every four weeks, providing frequent salary payments. We also offer an attractive range of benefits including 30 days’ annual leave, interest free season ticket loan, interest free bicycle loan and a career average pension scheme.

Additional Information

Please note, all candidates will need to confirm that the information provided in this application form is true and correct. Should a candidate deliberately give false information, including the use of AI software, they understand that this would disqualify them from consideration.