Product Manager

Help us shape the future!

Reporting to the Head of Product Development, the Product Manager is responsible for delivering defined elements of HL’s financial product strategy and lifecycle. The role translates the direction, priorities and standards set by the Head of Product Development into well-evidenced product recommendations, approved plans and high-quality delivery. It owns assigned products and initiatives end to end, working across Client, Investment, Technology, Operations, Risk, Compliance and Legal, while escalating material strategic, commercial and risk decisions to the Head of Product Development.

What you’ll be doing

• Responsible for the end-to-end product lifecycle for assigned manufactured and distributed financial products:

• launching new products, including market analysis, commissioning user research, proposition design, business case development, build and launch readiness

• ongoing management of the existing product range, including value assessments, performance monitoring, issue resolution and risk management

• closing or remediating products that no longer deliver appropriate value for clients or the business

• Responsible for market, competitor and client analysis to inform recommendations for the product roadmap.

• Carrying out commercial analysis and producing business cases, working with Finance, Data & Insights and Strategy.

• Preparing product launches, changes and ongoing reviews for internal governance approval and, where required, regulatory approval. Providing clear evidence, documentation and reporting throughout the lifecycle, working closely with Risk, Compliance, Legal, Operations, Technology and Investment teams to produce complete, accurate and timely submissions.

• Engaging the Client team on launch and distribution activity to support agreed product net new business and product-mix outcomes.

• Communicating clearly with distribution teams and, where relevant, external clients and partners about the product range.

• Ensuring products deliver good client outcomes – understanding of relevant regulatory requirements including Consumer Duty, PROD, COLL FCA rules.

• Working with implementation and delivery teams to ensure products are delivered to requirements and within planned timeframes.

• Apply the product function’s delivery standards to assigned initiatives, maintaining robust plans, RAID logs, governance papers, status reporting and decision records, and coordinating cross-functional activity to resolve dependencies and maintain pace.

• Manage RFPs, provider searches and mandate implementations, including requirements definition, evaluation, due diligence, recommendation papers, contracting support and delivery management.

• Assess products and partners against client, commercial, risk and operational requirements, negotiate effectively and make recommendations supported by internal and external data

• Provide product leadership within cross-functional delivery teams, setting clear outcomes, constructively challenging others and supporting the development of colleagues, without requiring formal line-management accountability.

• Own the performance of assigned products, defining success measures with the Head of Product Development and using management information, client feedback and market insight to identify opportunities and corrective action.

• Build effective relationships with third-party providers and internal stakeholders, holding delivery partners to account for agreed actions and service outcomes.

About you

• Proven experience managing financial products across the lifecycle, from launch through ongoing management to closure or remediation
• Working knowledge of FCA requirements, including Consumer Duty, PROD and COLL
• Track record of delivering cross-functional initiatives to plan, with robust governance, RAID logs and status reporting
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with experience building business cases and making evidence-based recommendations

We know great candidates don’t always meet every requirement. If this opportunity excites you and you have many of the skills and experiences we’re looking for, we encourage you to apply.

Working pattern

Location: Bristol Office, BS2 0TR

Hours: 37.5 hours, Full time, Permanent

Hybrid / office expectations: Hybrid working – 3 days a week in the office

Interview process

The interview process for this role will entail an initial screening call, a coffee chat with the hiring manager then a 90-minute face to face interview including a presentation at our Bristol office.

What’s on offer

• Discretionary annual bonus* and annual pay review
• 25 days* holiday plus bank holidays and one additional Christmas closure day
• Option to purchase up to five additional days’ holiday**
• Flexible working options, including hybrid working
• Enhanced parental leave
• Pension scheme with up to 11% employer contribution
• Income protection and life insurance (four times salary at core cover level)
• Private medical insurance*
• Healthcare cash plans, including optical, dental and outpatient care
• Health screening programme
• Help@hand, including confidential mental health counselling and remote GP support
• Free on-site gym including classes
• Wellhub access to fitness providers and wellness coaching
• Travel-to-work schemes, bike storage and shower facilities
• In-house barista and deli with subsidised coffee and sandwiches
• Two paid volunteering days each year

* Dependent on role level.
** Available for selection during the annual benefits window in November.

Belonging at HL

HL is an inclusive employer and we value the different perspectives and experiences people bring. We welcome applications from everyone and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process. If you need an adjustment at any stage, please let the Recruitment & Onboarding team know.

Flexible working: This role may be available on a flexible-working or part-time basis. Please ask the Talent Acquisition team for more information.

Sponsorship: We are unable to provide employment sponsorship for this role.