Job Description
The Senior Product Operations Manager to the SVP Product ( Small Business and Accountants Business Unit), is a trusted partner and extension of the leadership team. The role exists to maximise the effectiveness of the BU by enabling strategic focus, driving operational cadence, and ensuring alignment across the BU, the wider Global Product Office, and beyond. This role blends strategic advisory, operational leadership, and executive support, with a strong emphasis on outcomes, prioritisation, and stakeholder alignment.
*** Please note: This is a hybrid role requiring 3 days per week in our Newcastle office ***
Key Responsibilities
Key accountabilities (not definitive):
Strategic enablement
Act as a thought partner to the SVP leaders on strategy development, technology transformation priorities, and execution trade‑offs
Support the articulation, translation, and tracking of the SVP leaders’ strategic agenda across the technology organisation
Prepare high‑quality briefing materials, narratives, and decision papers for ExCo, Board, and senior leadership forums
Operational leadership & cadence
Own and run the BU operational rhythm, including leadership team agendas, QBRs, operating reviews, and strategic planning cycles
Drive clarity of priorities, OKRs, and cross‑area dependencies across the BU
Track progress against strategic initiatives, escalating risks and blockers as needed
Stakeholder management & cross‑functional alignment
Act as a key interface between the SVP and senior leaders across Product, Commercial, Finance, People, Legal
Ensure alignment between Technology strategy and broader Sage business priorities
Represent the SVP in selected forums, initiatives, or governance bodies as delegated
Governance, planning & execution
Support annual and multi‑year planning, investment prioritisation, and resource discussions
Coordinate input into budgeting, headcount planning, and portfolio management alongside Finance and People teams
Ensure effective governance of key programmes and initiatives within the division
Leadership team effectiveness
Partner closely with the Leadership Team to improve decision‑making, collaboration, and operational effectiveness
Challenge constructively, surface issues early, and help drive continuous improvement in how the function operates
Role model Sage values and ways of working, acting as a cultural carrier internally and externally
Skills, know-how and experience:
Proven experience operating at senior level with Executive leadership, ideally within Product, Engineering, or Digital organisations
Experience working in complex, global, matrixed organisations
Exceptional stakeholder management and capability to successfully influence senior leaders
Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to translate technology strategy into business outcomes
Experience of using data to drive insights, to create outcome focused plans.
Highly commercial and strategic, whilst detail conscious and can manage multiple tasks.
Able to translate business strategy through GPO / BU strategy.
Virtual leadership across the function, promoting ways of working that lead to high performance outcomes.
Excellent planning, prioritisation, and execution skills
High quality written and verbal communication, with the ability to synthesise complex topics into clear recommendations
Comfortable operating with ambiguity and pace
Trusted, discreet, and highly credible partner
Outcome‑focused with a bias for action
Curious, challenging, and pragmatic
Resilient and adaptable, with strong judgement
Benefits? We have plenty...
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCMtTYUUiuU
Generous bonuses and pension scheme: Up to 8% matched pension contribution plus 2% top-up by Sage.
25 days of paid annual leave with the option to buy up to another 5 days.
8 bank holiday days.
Paid 5 days yearly to volunteer through our Sage Foundation.
50% income protection.
Holiday buy + sell.
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage.
Work away scheme for up to 10 weeks a year.
Ongoing training and professional development.
Hybrid working.
Healthy Mind app membership
Access to various helpful memberships for finances, health and wellbeing.
#LI-MD1