Lead Product Owner (SC Cleared) - Aerospace & Defence

Location: Reading (Hybrid Working Available)
Security Clearance: Active SC Clearance Required

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Product Owner to play a key role in delivering high-impact digital initiatives within the aerospace and defence sector. This is an exciting opportunity to shape and mature product ownership practices across complex, highly regulated programmes.

This role requires active SC clearance due to the sensitive nature of the work and includes a mix of on-site collaboration and flexible hybrid working arrangements.

The Opportunity

You will lead the evolution of product ownership across multiple digital programmes, driving best practice, strengthening governance, and ensuring the successful delivery of value-led outcomes.

Working closely with Product Owners, Business Analysts, engineering teams, and key stakeholders, you will provide strategic leadership to enhance collaboration, prioritisation, and delivery performance across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and continuously improve product ownership frameworks and governance models to ensure scalable, consistent delivery
• Lead backlog management and prioritisation, aligning delivery with strategic objectives and measurable outcomes
• Drive strong collaboration between Product Owners, Business Analysts, and delivery teams
• Oversee end-to-end delivery of digital and data-driven initiatives
• Manage and challenge supplier performance, ensuring quality, timeliness, and value
• Embed best practice product management standards across teams
• Provide leadership and coaching to develop high-performing, multidisciplinary teams

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Demonstrated leadership of product ownership across multiple large-scale programmes
• Strong experience delivering complex digital products in defence, aerospace, or regulated environments
• Proven ability to lead and develop multidisciplinary teams and suppliers
• Deep knowledge of Agile and Lean product management practices
• Strong technical awareness across infrastructure, platforms, security, and modern architectures
• Expertise in backlog management, prioritisation, and value-driven decision making
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including senior leadership engagement

Desirable

• Experience working across international or multinational programmes
• Track record of shaping organisational product standards and governance
• Experience building and scaling product ownership capabilities and culture

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