Lead Product Manager - Establishment Control and Data

About the Role

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. People Services is committed to providing The Open University with high-quality people and data solutions and is valued for its efficiency, expertise, partnering capability and service.

We are looking to appoint a Lead Product Manager for a fixed term of 12 months, until end of July 2026, to realise our ambition for improved establishment control and data as part of our People Systems Project (Phase 2). This is an opportunity to lead and direct this workstream to enhance our position management data and processes to enable efficiencies and improvements in control, reporting, planning and forecasting. The project will involve a significant level of business change alongside system updates and data cleansing. Delivery relies heavily on our People System – SuccessFactors – and associated SAP Finance solutions.

You will:

• Lead and work within a multidisciplinary team, confidently directing, motivating and collaborating, using a range of agile methodologies to their full potential.
• Develop an expert understanding of the users’ needs and champion these in the delivery of improved establishment control governance, processes and data.
• Engage in meaningful interactions with users demonstrating you put users first and can manage competing priorities as well as support the change management activity.
• Develop the strategy and roadmap for establishment control implementation ensuring it contributes to departmental and organisational strategy, demonstrating leadership and expertise in SuccessFactors best practices.
• Define, communicate and iterate a vision and roadmap for the delivery of People Systems Project (Phase 2) - Establishment Control activity that is compelling to your users, team and stakeholders.
• Manage and prioritise workstream deliverables, making pragmatic decisions based on evidence balancing delivery against the vision with available resources, budget and timeline.
• Engage with key stakeholders through a range of channels and build strong networks, particularly with those that will be benefiting from or impacted by changes to establishment control processes.
• Have laser focus on value prioritisation and impact for the business and user, balancing delivery, quality and budget at all times.
• Set measurable goals that, when achieved, ensure achievement of intended project outcomes.
• Report against these using data to demonstrate progress against deliverables and realisation of stated benefits.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of high performing professionals imparting your expertise and experience to enhance their own professional development.
• Foster a culture of openness and collaboration, developing productive working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, business partners and the wider Open University.

About you

Recognised expert in product management of SAP SuccessFactors based solutions, in particular best practices in position management and use for establishment control, including data integrity. User focused with a good understanding of how best to solve for user needs, while delivering a seamless experience. Established excellent track record in SAP SuccessFactors product development and management, with demonstrable experience in delivering associated business change. Experience of engaging with users and using qualitative and quantitative data to identify how their needs can be met by products and services. Expert in stakeholder management, influencing, negotiation skills and conflict resolution, able to facilitate timely decision making. Good understanding and experience of Product or Service Management role and responsibilities. Proven expertise in use of multiple Agile methodologies. Ability to build and develop productive working relationships with internal business partners and externally. Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to communicate with confidence and credibility in face-to-face situations, remotely and in writing, up to Executive level. The ability to cope with pressure and unforeseen problems and to offer timely pragmatic solutions. Experience and ability of managing a high performing team. Ability to work as part of the team as well as on own initiative – to be self-motivated and proactive to achieve goals. Good analytical skills to solve complex problems and make decisions based on the vision and outcomes desired. Ability to analyse and assess value of an initiative and prioritise it within a backlog of ideas. Demonstrable experience of taking evidence led approach to decision making. A commitment to inclusivity and equity, role modelling inclusive behaviours and ensuring that systems and data developments reflect the values of diversity, equality, and accessibility across the University.

Flexible working: We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location: It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately two days per week.

How to apply: To apply for this role please submit your CV and complete the additional application questions within our online application form.

Early closing date: We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.