Head of Digital Products

Role Overview

We seek a dedicated Head of Digital Products with deep expertise and enthusiasm for the Forest Stewardship Council's mission to work in an international team environment.

This leadership role involves shaping future-proof digital ecosystems and guiding cross-functional technology groups to deliver innovative solutions at scale. It includes oversight of several program leaders managing Project Management, Digital Factory, and Digital Experience divisions, enhancing governance mechanisms, and collaborating effectively with external partners. Your guidance will ensure impactful digital product development, transparent decision-making, and efficient execution processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the planning, management, and supervision of all activities pertaining to solution, system, and software architecture for applications, integrations, development, innovation initiatives, IT platforms, and cloud services.
• Design, implement, and continually improve IT process organization, managing service towers, program managers, and delivering reports to technology leadership.
• Coordinate process integration with related IT areas, especially focusing on architecture, collaborating with management teams across the organization.
• Discover and harness innovation opportunities within teams, using design thinking and innovation management methodologies to guide major development initiatives.
• Manage cross-functional efforts in defining and upholding software and solution architectures to meet business requirements.
• Plan, coordinate, and validate development and enforcement of procedures to maintain consistency between project-level software designs and overall architectural standards.
• Take full ownership of the Project Management Office (PMO), implementing and refining project management frameworks, standards, KPIs, and quality assurance for all IT projects and programs.
• Strategically oversee IT project/program portfolios, handling prioritization, resource and budget allocation, risk management, and reporting to executive leadership.
• Establish and maintain IT governance bodies such as Architecture Boards and Portfolio Boards, facilitating decision-making processes.
• Manage relationships with providers and vendors end-to-end, including selection, contracting, SLA monitoring, performance evaluation, and sourcing strategy enhancement.

Candidate Profile

• University degree in computer science, business informatics, business administration with IT focus, or equivalent experience.
• Expertise in software and solution architecture, software design and development, innovation management, and platform/cloud architectures.
• Experience with enterprise IT architecture, program and project management focusing on software delivery.
• Proven skill in setting up and leading PMO structures, including methodologies, governance, performance metrics, and coordinating project managers.
• Strong background in project portfolio management and strategic planning with senior management reporting experience.
• Competence in vendor management, contract administration, SLA oversight, and optimizing sourcing models.
• Preferred certifications include Scrum, TOGAF 9, iSAQB CPSA, SAFe Architect, HPI Design Thinking Coach, PMI PMP, SAFe RTE, and similar.
• Excellent analytical, planning, conflict resolution, assertiveness, and interpersonal team skills across organizational levels.
• Over 10 years in software development, design, architecture, innovation management, design thinking, and cloud platforms.
• At least 5 years managing teams of 20 or more people and preferably 2 years in a department head or senior IT program leadership role with agile software implementation focus.

Employment Details

• Location: Bonn, Germany
• Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Contract Duration: Based on contractual agreement
• Start Date: Immediately or as soon as possible
• Travel: Occasionally required

Benefits

• Engage with a global network of 400+ forest stewards through cross-cultural collaboration
• Flexible hybrid working model supporting work-life balance
• 30 days of annual leave
• Regional transportation ticket provided
• Celebrate diverse cultural festivals together
• Annual in-person gatherings with global FSC staff

Additional Information

• Applications must be submitted in English with a CV only; no photographs please.
• Recruitment is ongoing with rolling review of applications.
• FSC values inclusiveness and diversity, encouraging applicants from all backgrounds including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, and disability.
• By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal data under FSC data protection policies.