Product Manager (FCSF117)

This role can be based from any of the following Arts Council offices: Nottingham · Newcastle upon Tyne · Leeds · Cambridge · Brighton · Bristol, City of · Manchester Typically 1-2 days per week working from your designated office (one of the locations listed)

Overall Purpose of the role

You will be a member of dispersed team working across the Arts Council to deliver transformation as we aim to become a digitally enabled, user focused, and inclusive development agency. You will join a growing team that is building capacity in new digital, design and service delivery skills in line with the Government Digital Service. You will support the development, testing and implementation of products in response to user research and service redesign, leading on projects as required. Products are the things that our customers use to engage with our services. This includes the websites and portals used to apply for funding, submit monitoring information or access one of our Museum and Cultural Property schemes. You will work collaboratively across teams to reimagine current products as user focused services which will improve the experience of applicants and make it easier for our people to do their jobs. You will lead the development of some products and support work with other products developed as part of pilot projects with the transformation programme. This may include working with existing products like our grant making system or CRM or developing new products to support new approaches to grant making or development.

Main day to day responsibilities

• You will: · Support the development of products by working with relevant teams, helping to defining the scope of the work and supporting the development of a clear roadmap for delivery.
• · Work on products across the stages of the product life cycle, this will include discovery, alpha, beta and go- live states.
• · Supporting with identifying technological solutions and software options within operational constraints in response to user needs, proto-typing and testing.
• · Coordinate the operations of running and maintaining products, including supporting with budgets, resources and project timelines.
• · Identify and engage with users or stakeholders to collate user needs evidence. This will include developing user profiles to inform the delivery process and gathering regular feedback towards the continuous improvement of products.
• · Alongside other colleagues be responsible for the quality of products that are delivered and support with ensuring that user needs and business goals are met.
• · Work in a transparent and collaborative way as part of a community of practice with other colleagues.
• · Engage in regular opportunities to share good practice and learning about product management and transformation.
• · Work flexibly across the organisation, collaborating with colleagues and providing additional capacity and expertise, focusing on product management and delivery.
• · Actively participate in learning and development opportunities, including shadowing experts in digital, design and delivery roles and attending training courses as required.

To deliver your role you will:

• · Use data tools effectively to track impact and identify trends. You will manage data in line with data protection regulations and internal policies.
• · Contribute to a positive working culture in the organisation by taking a proactive approach to learning, responding to change, inclusive practice, and environmental responsibility.
• · Reflect the Nolan principles of public life and the Arts Council's values with a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Key relationships

You will work closely with colleagues in the Transformation teams as well as other teams across the Arts Council. You will build effective relationships with external stakeholders across the creative and cultural sector to gain strategic buy in and raise the profile of new ways of working. You will also work with relevant national and area colleagues, to develop specialist knowledge and insight as we develop new approaches to service design. For examples, service owners: who make decisions about the direction of service, owns the budget and allocates funds and subject matter experts: who bring the operational knowledge and experience of the service.

What do I need to bring to the role?

Essential (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

• · Demonstrate an understanding of design, technology and data principles
• · Demonstrate an ability to coordinate and work in a team to anticipate, investigate and resolve problems
• · Experience in supporting the planning, co-designing and rolling out new ways of working
• · Understanding of user research and how to champion user needs
• · Knowledge of engaging stakeholders in new initiatives
• · Demonstrate an ability to communicate creatively to positively influence, inspire and build trust.

Desirable (Skills, Knowledge and Behaviours)

• · Experience of working on the delivery of a successful product or service
• · Some knowledge of agile and iterative approaches to project management
• · Interest in the range of available technology choices
• · Ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data

We are a Disability Confident Employer and we participate in the ‘Offer an Interview’ scheme, which means that we offer an interview to any disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria for the role they’re applying to, subject to the volume of applications received. Disabled candidates, those living with a long-term condition and/ or neurodivergent candidates may be eligible for this scheme.

Our Code of Ethics requires that employees of the Arts Council are not able to receive an Arts Council grant, investment or loan funding - either in person, as a member of a partnership, or for any organisation they own. There are also limitations on board or CEO positions employees can hold in organisations we fund. For more information on this, please talk to the recruiting manager or contact recruitment@artscouncil.org.uk

1st Interviews: (Virtual) 23 and 24 February 2026

2nd Interview: (Virtual) 02 March 2026