The Role

Purpose of the Head of Product

Responsible for the leadership, design, development, and revision of the organisation’s portfolio of new and existing awards, qualifications, apprenticeships, and accredited programmes. The Head of Product role ensures that products are commercially viable; responsive to employer, learner, and industry needs; educationally robust; and compliant with regulatory and accreditation requirements

Working across internal and external stakeholders, the Head of Product will work with its peer Head of Commercial to identify market opportunities, and lead product innovation, overseeing qualification development, and ensuring products deliver high-quality outcomes.

The Head of Product will collaborate with and involve clients and industry organisations throughout the development of qualifications to ensure a best-in-class product development experience.

Overview

Job Title: Head of Product (Awards and Qualifications)

Reporting to: Commercial Director

Line Management: team of 13 FTE with 4 direct reports including product development specialists

Salary: Competitive salary plus benefits

Hours: Full Time 37.5 hours/week, but with hours commensurate with fulfilling the responsibilities of the role

Location: Coventry, Warwickshire with opportunity for Hybrid Working.

Main Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Portfolio Management

Develop and deliver the organisation’s product strategy for qualifications, awards, apprenticeships, and accredited learning programmes.
Manage the full product lifecycle from concept through development, launch, review, revision, and retirement.
Conduct market analysis and horizon scanning to identify new qualification and accreditation opportunities.
Develop business cases and product roadmaps aligned to organisational objectives.
Evaluate portfolio performance through commercial, learner, customer, and quality measures.
Maintain a balanced portfolio that meets regulatory, educational, and commercial objectives.

Qualification & Award Development

Lead the design and development of new qualifications, awards, and assessment products.
Ensure qualification structures, assessment methodologies, and learning outcomes meet regulatory and industry requirements.
Manage qualification reviews and reform projects in response to sector changes.
Work with employers, professional bodies, centres, and subject matter experts to create relevant and innovative products.
Oversee the development of assessment materials, specifications, guidance documents, and supporting resources.

Regulatory Compliance & Governance

Ensure all qualifications comply with Ofqual and other relevant regulatory requirements.
Establish and maintain robust product governance processes.
Oversee qualification approval and submission processes where required.
Monitor risks associated with product development and implementation.
Ensure quality assurance processes support the integrity and validity of all qualifications and assessments.

Commercial Growth & Market Development

Identify emerging market needs and opportunities for portfolio growth.
Develop partnerships with employers, training providers, membership bodies, and industry stakeholders.
Lead the development of new revenue-generating qualification and accreditation opportunities.
Support business development activity and contribute to commercial planning and forecasting.
Analyse competitor products and sector trends to inform strategic decisions.

Build strong relationships with regulators, employers, education providers, sector bodies, and external partners.
Lead consultation exercises and stakeholder engagement activities for qualification development projects.
Represent the organisation externally at industry forums, conferences, and regulatory meetings.
Act as the senior product expert for qualifications and awards.

Leadership & People Management

Lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing product and qualifications team.
Set objectives, performance measures, and development plans for team members.
Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, quality, and continuous improvement.
Manage departmental budgets and resources effectively.

Person Specification

Essential Experience

Strong understanding of qualification regulation, assessment design, and quality assurance, ideally through significant experience within an awarding organisation, professional body, EPAO, qualification regulator, or education provider.
Proven experience leading the development and launch of qualifications, awards, or apprenticeship products.
Experience managing product portfolios and supporting organisations with the delivery of commercial growth.
Experience engaging with employers, training providers, and industry stakeholders involving them throughout the product development process.

Knowledge

Strong understanding of the UK qualifications and assessment landscape.
Knowledge of Ofqual conditions and regulatory frameworks.
Understanding of qualification design methodologies and assessment principles.
Awareness of current education, skills, and workforce development trends.
Land-based, agriculture or other nature-based industry exposure useful but not essential.

Skills & Competencies

Strategic thinking and product leadership.
Dynamic project and programme management expertise with an outputs-focus.
Ability to lead change and innovation.

Success Measures

Successful launch of new qualifications and awards.
Positive regulatory and quality assurance outcomes.
Increased stakeholder engagement and satisfaction.
Increased engagement and buy-in from colleagues, with the creation of a motivated team environment that encourages initiative, accountability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Degree-level qualification or equivalent professional experience.
Qualification in education, assessment, product management, curriculum development, or a related discipline is desirable.
Experience with agile working, and project management tools extremely desirable.

Behaviours

Customer First, continually seeking improvements to customer service, solving customer problems quickly and in full, and rising to challenges to take ownership of customer issues
Output Driven, understanding the importance of industry engagement and continual improvement that has taken external feedback on board throughout to develop and refine a best-in-class final product.
Collaborative, encouraging effective communication across all levels, sharing knowledge and information, and asking questions and checks understanding
Camaraderie, sharing best practice and knowledge with team members and colleagues across teams, recognising and responding when others require help and support. Always approachable and open to the ideas of the team
Leadership, acting as a role model of the corporate values and behaviours, developing trust by delivering on promises and communicating all changes, and able to engage with others and makes suggestions or offers help when it is needed
Personal Effectiveness, taking ownership of allocated tasks, planning ahead and communicates plans to those who need to know. Operating in a proactive mindset, and able to adapt when the needs of their role or the organisation changes