Product Director - EdTech, Digital Learning

Overview

This organisation is at a key growth juncture, having established a proven product with strong market traction. The focus now shifts from validating the model to scaling it efficiently without reducing quality. The role of Product Director is designed to lead the development and operational infrastructure behind this scaling effort.

Role Summary

Reporting to senior leadership, the Product Director will head the Product Development function that supports a fast-growing program portfolio. This role emphasizes building scalable operating systems, operational excellence, and constantly enhancing product quality as the organisation expands. The position includes direct line management of the Product Development team and collaboration with teams in learner delivery, commercial operations, technology, marketing, and partner success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the operational infrastructure that supports program development, launch, and ongoing improvement.
• Ensure product quality throughout the customer experience, prioritizing improvements that raise standards beyond just speed.
• Implement operational systems, tools, and AI-driven workflows to boost efficiency and scalability.
• Enhance launch readiness by minimizing friction, standardizing processes, and improving execution without sacrificing quality.
• Establish cross-functional operating rhythms aligning Product, Technology, Delivery, Commercial, and Marketing teams.
• Manage operational reporting, KPIs, and frameworks that facilitate continuous performance improvement.
• Prioritize initiatives and translate strategic objectives into actionable delivery plans.
• Create scalable operating models to support substantial future growth.
• Lead and coach the Product Development team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Responsibilities Excluded

• Defining strategic business direction, set by senior leadership.
• Responsibility for learner-facing delivery operations, managed by the Learner Delivery Director.
• Academic content creation, curriculum design, or subject-matter expertise.
• Focus instead on ensuring operational systems are world-class, scalable, and continuously improving these functions.

Success Milestones

Within 30 days:

• Gain comprehensive understanding of current program operations and challenges.
• Establish strong relationships across leadership and key teams.
• Identify top opportunities for enhancing quality, efficiency, and scalability.
• Assess current AI usage and discover areas for significant value enhancement.
• Develop a clear vision of outstanding operational product delivery.

Within 90 days:

• Lead operational improvements that enhance launch readiness and execution measurably.
• Implement scalable operating practices to improve program consistency.
• Deliver a prioritized roadmap for product operations, tooling, and AI integration.
• Become a trusted operational leader for handling complex challenges.

Within 180 days:

• Operational KPIs demonstrate measurable improvement.
• Product launches become faster, more repeatable, and predictable.
• AI is seamlessly integrated into workflows instead of being standalone.
• Product Development function reliably supports scaling without compromising quality.
• Senior leadership spends markedly less time on operational issues, focusing more on strategic growth.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience creating products, operational systems, or platforms in fast-growing environments.
• Forward-thinking with an emphasis on building for scale rather than short-term needs.
• Strong blend of strategic insight and operational excellence.
• Customer-focused with a commitment to superior quality outcomes.
• High proficiency with AI tools, using them daily to enhance decisions, productivity, and innovation.
• Understands operational excellence as a driver for commercial growth rather than bureaucracy.
• Clear communicator and confident decision-maker who influences across teams without relying on formal authority.
• Thrives in ambitious, fast-paced settings with minimal bureaucracy and high expectations.
• Experience in digital learning, SaaS, technology, or marketplaces advantageous but not required.

Role Unsuitable For

• Candidates preferring slow, highly structured, consensus-driven environments.
• Those focused on curriculum design, academic leadership, or direct learner engagement.
• Applicants expecting large-scale people management roles; this is more about influence and system improvement.
• Individuals uncomfortable with operational complexity, change, and AI integration.

Employee Benefits

• A collaborative, people-first culture focused on performance.
• Opportunity to shape a rapidly growing product function at a crucial stage.
• Flexible remote work within UK hours, including international collaboration.
• Professional development in a dynamic and ambitious setting.

Recruitment Process

• Application review by recruitment team and key stakeholders.
• 30-minute initial conversation to discuss fit and experience.
• 60-minute leadership interview exploring approach and contribution potential.
• 60-minute interview with cross-functional stakeholders focused on collaboration and problem-solving.
• Focused take-home exercise (~2-3 hours) simulating role challenges.
• Final discussion with senior leadership followed by an offer.

The recruitment process emphasizes transparency, efficiency, and timely communication to ensure a professional candidate experience.