Learning & Development Product Owner

On behalf of The Ministry of Justice, we are looking for a Learning & Development Product Owner x 2 (Inside IR35) for a contract up to 31st March 2027 (possible extension) based remotely with attendance in any Nationwide hub if/when required.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) priorities include improving public safety and reducing reoffending by reforming prisons, probation and youth justice, and building a justice system which makes access to justice swifter and more certain for all citizens whatever their background. Project professionals in the MoJ help to improve the government’s ability to protect the public and reduce reoffending, and to provide a more effective, transparent and responsive criminal justice system for victims and the public.

Role Overview:

We are looking for an experienced Learning & Development Product Owner to manage a portfolio of new and redesigned learning products, including face-to-face, virtual and digital learning resources.

The role will own the end-to-end development of learning products, working closely with operational teams, L&D specialists, regional stakeholders and Learning Services. The successful candidate will translate learner and business needs into effective learning solutions, manage product roadmaps and priorities, and ensure products are successfully launched and handed over for delivery.

This is a fast-paced role requiring strong stakeholder management, learning design knowledge and experience working in an Agile/project environment.

As a Learning & Development Product Owner, your main responsibilities will be:

• Own and manage a portfolio of new and redesigned learning products from concept through to launch and implementation.
• Develop and maintain clear learning product roadmaps, priorities, milestones and deliverables.
• Work with operational, L&D and business stakeholders to understand capability requirements and translate these into effective learning solutions.
• Lead cross-functional teams involved in the design, development and delivery of blended learning products.
• Use learner research, feedback and evidence to inform learning design and continuously improve products.
• Develop a range of learning solutions including face-to-face, virtual, experiential, digital and peer-learning resources.
• Work closely with Learning Services and regional teams to ensure learning products are effectively catalogued, published and available through central learning platforms.
• Manage the transition and handover of completed learning products into operational delivery.
• Support the preparation of Learning Coaches and Facilitators to deliver new or redesigned learning modules.
• Apply evidence-based learning principles and relevant research to the development of learning interventions.
• Work in an Agile environment, regularly reviewing business needs, priorities, risks and opportunities.
• Act as the key point of contact for the assigned learning product portfolio, ensuring effective communication across design, learning and operational teams.
• Monitor product progress, resolve issues and ensure learning products are delivered to agreed timescales and quality standards.
• Build effective relationships with senior and operational stakeholders and communicate product decisions, progress and risks clearly.

Essential:

• Proven experience owning or managing L&D/learning products from initial concept and design through to launch and implementation.
• Strong experience designing or supporting interactive, blended learning solutions, including digital, virtual, face-to-face or experiential learning.
• Experience working in a project, product or Agile environment, managing competing priorities, milestones, risks and deliverables.
• Strong stakeholder management experience, working across multiple teams and with operational/business stakeholders.
• Ability to translate learner, user and business needs into effective learning products and solutions.
• Experience leading or coordinating cross-functional teams through learning design and development activity.
• Strong understanding of learning design principles, learner engagement and the use of research/feedback to improve learning effectiveness.
• Excellent communication, organisation and delivery skills, with the ability to manage multiple products and deliver at pace.

Desirable:

• Experience within government, HMPPS, probation, justice, public sector or another complex operational environment.
• Knowledge of the role of Probation Officers, Probation Service Officers or wider probation operations.
• Experience working with central learning management platforms/LMS and digital learning catalogues.
• Experience applying evidence-based practice or research to learning interventions.
• Experience preparing facilitators, coaches or trainers to deliver newly developed learning products.
• Formal L&D, instructional design, product management, project management or Agile qualification.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident 

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, MOJ guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

The Ministry of Justice guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".