Head of Product (CPT/UK) (18-Month Contract) - Datafin IT Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

A leading UK-based Gaming, Leisure & Entertainment Group seeks the expertise of a highly driven Head of Product to fill an 18-month Fixed-term Contract role. You will define and lead the product strategy for the enterprise technology platforms that power business operations and enable exceptional customer experiences across our digital and land-based businesses. Unlike customer-facing Product roles, this position is responsible for the internal technology products that support colleagues, operations and regulatory obligations. You will also champion the adoption of a modern product-led operating model, embedding Agile Product Management practices. Applicants will need significant experience leading Product Management within a complex enterprise organisation and demonstrable experience transforming organisations from project-based delivery to a product-led operating model, embedding Agile Product Management practices and outcome-based decision making. 

DUTIES:

Product Strategy & Leadership -

• Define and deliver the product strategy and roadmap for enterprise technology platforms aligned to business and technology objectives. 
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing team of Product Managers, creating a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement. 
• Coach Product Managers and stakeholders in modern Product Management principles and product-led ways of working.

Product Transformation -

• Lead the transition from project-based delivery to a product-led operating model across Technology. 
• Embed best practice Product Management throughout the SDLC, including discovery, prioritisation, experimentation, roadmap management and value measurement. 
• Champion Agile product practices and continuous delivery across cross-functional teams.

Value Delivery -

• Lead multiple complex technology product portfolios, ensuring investment decisions are driven by measurable business outcomes rather than outputs. 
• Establish and monitor OKRs, KPIs and product metrics to demonstrate value and inform prioritisation. 
• Balance operational efficiency, technical sustainability, colleague experience and commercial priorities.

Stakeholder & Team Management -

• Build strong partnerships across Engineering, Architecture, Delivery, Operations and Executive Leadership. 
• Influence strategic decisions through evidence-based product thinking and commercial insight. 
• Provide day-to-day leadership, performance management and mentoring, developing Product capability across the organisation.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Significant experience leading Product Management within a complex enterprise organisation. 
• Demonstrable experience transforming organisations from project-based delivery to a product-led operating model, embedding Agile Product Management practices and outcome-based decision making. 
• Proven experience leading multiple complex technology platform products or enterprise systems. 
• Experience managing products that primarily support internal business users and operational capabilities, rather than solely customer-facing products. 
• Strong track record of delivering measurable business value through Product Management, using product metrics, OKRs and value-led prioritisation. 
• Experience coaching Product Managers and influencing senior stakeholders to adopt modern Product Management practices. 
• Strong understanding of enterprise technology platforms, systems integration and platform strategy. 
• Experience within regulated industries such as Gambling, Financial Services, Retail, Hospitality, Leisure or Travel is advantageous.

Leadership Competencies -

• Transformational Product leader with a strategic and commercial mindset. 
• Passionate about developing people and building high-performing teams. 
• Strong coach, mentor and influencer who drives organisational change. 
• Customer and value-focused, using data to inform decisions. 
• Collaborative leader with the ability to build trusted relationships across Technology and the wider business. 
• Resilient, adaptable and comfortable operating in complex environments.