Lead Product Delivery Manager

Lead Product Delivery Manager

Rate: 550 per day

Outside IR35 Initial 6-month contract

Remote working with occasional travel to London, Leeds and NHS sites
Major national NHS data and digital transformation programme
Two positions available across Portfolio and Demand Management, and Cancer

We are supporting the NHS with the appointment of two Lead Product Delivery Managers to join a major national data and digital transformation programme.

This is an opportunity to lead delivery across strategically important healthcare products that use data, technology and emerging AI capabilities to improve operational decision-making and patient outcomes.

The two initial portfolio priorities are:

Portfolio and Demand Management

Leading product delivery across a portfolio focused on improving how demand is understood, managed and prioritised. This includes exploring how data and AI can support referral pathways, optimise demand and help ensure patients reach the most appropriate service or professional.

Cancer

Leading product delivery aligned to the national cancer plan, helping the programme develop and deliver products that support improved oversight, operational performance, pathway management and patient outcomes.

The role

Reporting to an Assistant Director, you will provide leadership across a suite of related products and services relating to NHS data.

You will work across multiple user-centred delivery teams, providing strategic oversight and ensuring that products move effectively through the complete lifecycle, from initial concept and market fit through incubation, pilot, initial availability and wider release.

This is a senior delivery position requiring someone who can see the bigger picture, establish the narrative and vision for a product portfolio, and translate strategic direction into clear, achievable delivery plans.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of digital and data products across a complex portfolio.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear product plans, roadmaps and delivery activity.
• Provide leadership and oversight to Product Delivery Managers and multidisciplinary product teams.
• Work closely with senior NHS stakeholders, delivery partners, suppliers and technical teams.
• Establish effective team structures and ensure teams have the resources, information and support required to succeed.
• Lead portfolio planning, reporting and the maintenance of accurate delivery artefacts.
• Monitor progress, delivery metrics and product performance, identifying risks, dependencies and emerging issues.
• Remove blockers and coordinate activity across technical, clinical, operational and non-technical teams.
• Hold delivery partners and suppliers accountable against agreed roadmaps and delivery expectations.
• Ensure products meet appropriate information governance, clinical, data protection, security and AI governance requirements.
• Support engagement with NHS organisations during incubation and pilot stages.
• Work with stakeholders to define benefits, success measures and evidence of product impact.
• Position products effectively for wider release and adoption.
• Support and coach Product Delivery Managers, Delivery Managers and Product Managers.
• Provide concise updates and recommendations to senior leaders, operating autonomously and deputising for the Assistant Director when required.

The existing role has involved product oversight rather than ownership of a single product, managing cross-team dependencies, supplier relationships, governance, pilot activity and senior communications.

About you

We are looking for experienced product and delivery leaders who can combine strong programme delivery skills with a strategic product mindset.

You will ideally demonstrate:

Senior product delivery, programme delivery or portfolio leadership experience.

Experience leading multiple digital, data or technology products simultaneously.

A strong understanding of product management and the complete product lifecycle.

The ability to turn broad strategic direction into structured and achievable delivery.

Experience leading and supporting multidisciplinary teams.

Strong governance, planning, reporting, risk and dependency management skills.

The confidence to operate autonomously and provide concise updates to senior leaders.

Experience working with external delivery partners, technology suppliers or consultancies.

The ability to create a compelling narrative around a product, its users, intended benefits and strategic purpose.

Strong stakeholder management skills across technical, operational and senior leadership audiences.

Experience within healthcare, the NHS or another complex regulated environment.

An understanding of data products, data quality and the role of AI in improving services.

Experience supporting products through incubation, pilot, release and adoption.

Candidates should be able to talk about products strategically and explain both the intended outcomes and the story behind them, rather than approaching the position solely through a traditional project management lens.

Contract details

• Day rate: 550
• Status: Outside IR35
• Contract: 12 months
• Travel: Occasional travel to London, Leeds, delivery partner offices and NHS stakeholder sites
• Positions available: Two

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a nationally significant NHS programme and lead products designed to improve the way operational data supports services, staff and patients.

To discuss the role confidentially, please contact Sophie Peters at Seymour John.