Product Director - SAMpeople HRIS & ATS

About Arbor Education and SAMpeople

Arbor Education is dedicated to revolutionizing how schools operate, emphasizing a balanced work environment where challenges do not translate into burnout. We aim to use data effectively to drive progress without overwhelming staff and to foster an inspiring educational workplace. In 2024, Arbor integrated SAMpeople, a comprehensive online people management platform used by over 3,000 schools. SAMpeople handles everything from contracts and compliance to managing absences, cases, and CPD training. Our mission is to evolve SAMpeople into a fully AI-enabled solution within a connected School Management Suite to enhance how schools function and how staff experience their work.

Role Overview

The Product Director will lead the strategic vision and delivery of SAMpeople's HRIS and ATS products and integrations. Serving at the nexus of business objectives, technology, and user needs, this high-impact leadership role requires managing a high-performance product management team. Reporting to the Chief Product Officer, the director will influence the future of our product ecosystem and guide the ongoing AI-enabled transformation within the product lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate Arbor's mission into actionable product strategies and roadmaps for SAMpeople.
• Drive AI integration throughout SAMpeople's software development lifecycle, collaborating closely with R&D leadership.
• Lead, recruit, and mentor a team of Product Managers fostering a culture of user-centric innovation and continuous improvement.
• Understand and align with commercial strategies to enhance product growth and customer satisfaction metrics such as NPS.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including Go-To-Market, marketing, sales enablement, and customer success to support successful product launches.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrated experience in product leadership roles with proven success managing product teams through rapid scaling and organizational changes.
• Strong knowledge and enthusiasm for AI's transformative potential in product and operational workflows.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence executive leadership and technical teams.
• Results-driven mindset with experience setting measurable goals and accountability frameworks for teams.
• Resilient and adaptable, thriving in ambiguous environments and leading teams through change.

Benefits

• Work alongside passionate colleagues with the opportunity to witness direct impact of your contributions.
• Access to a dedicated wellbeing team offering mindfulness, mental health first aid, training, and more.
• 32 days paid holiday inclusive of 25 annual leave days and 7 additional company-wide days during Easter, Summer, and Christmas.
• Life assurance at triple annual salary and private dental insurance through Bupa.
• Comprehensive wellness package by AIG Smart Health featuring 24/7 virtual GP, mental health support, counseling, and health checks.
• Salary sacrifice pension plan via Scottish Widows.
• Enhanced parental leave: 20 weeks full pay maternity/adoption and 6 weeks full pay paternity leave.
• Five maternity return-to-work coaching sessions.
• Financial wellbeing support through services like Calm and Bippit.
• Flexible working arrangements tailored to individual needs.
• Active social committees organizing events to foster team camaraderie.
• Professional development budget for CPD courses, upskilling, and memberships.
• One paid volunteer day annually with a charity of choice.
• Dog-friendly offices.

Recruitment Process

• Initial phone screening.
• First stage interview.
• Second stage interview.

Diversity and Inclusion

Arbor Education is committed to inclusivity and equality, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. The recruitment process is designed to be fair and accessible, with reasonable adjustments available upon request. Our partnership with Neurodiversity Consultancy Lexxic supports this commitment.

Additional Information

Please note, Arbor Education is currently unable to offer visa sponsorship. Referral bonuses up to £200 are available for successful hires recommended by friends, family, or colleagues.