HR Product Owner

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Full Time

Watford, Hertfordshire

Competitive + Bonus + Benefits

July 18, 2026

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Job description

We're building HR products, not just running HR projects and we need someone who knows the difference. About the RoleAs our Colleague Experience Product Manager, you will take full end-to-end ownership of critical moments in our employee lifecycle, with your primary initial focus on transforming our Onboarding experience.Here is the twist: this isn't just a system delivery role. We aren't just looking for someone to configure software or ship features. You will be designing the entire end-to-end journey, balancing the digital tools with the human touchpoints, communications, and real-world processes that happen away from the screen.This is a hands-on, "do the do" role. The macro transformation strategy is steered by our Experience & Product Transformation Lead, leaving you with the autonomy to turn that high-level vision into tangible, beautifully executed experiences that colleagues actually love using.What You'll Do<ul><li>Champion the Onboarding Journey: Own the product lifecycle for our Onboarding experience from discovery through to iteration, ensuring new joiners have a seamless, welcoming, and frictionless start. (You'll also expand into areas like recognition and internal mobility).</li><li>Design Beyond the Screen: Look past the technology. You will map and improve the entire ecosystem around the product—including manager behaviours, physical touchpoints, and cultural moments that technology alone can't fix.</li><li>Make the Tough Calls: Balance user needs against operational realities. You’ll make data-backed trade-offs on scope and experience, and comfortably articulate the why to your team.</li><li>Bridge the Gap: Manage diverse stakeholders across HR, Tech, and the wider business—acting as the translator between people who think in policy and people who think in sprints.</li><li>Balance Product and Process: Run the practical project management needed to keep delivery on track (timelines, dependencies, risks) while knowing when to flex into creative product thinking instead of just ticking off a checklist.</li><li>Build Using Evidence: Gather and utilize qualitative feedback, usage data, and colleague insights to continually iterate on what’s working and ruthlessly cut what isn't.</li></ul>A Quick Reality Check (Is this role right for you?)<ul><li>Every role has its boundaries. To make sure we're a good match, it's worth noting:</li><li>We value execution over abstract strategy: You will have immense freedom to shape how your product works and what the roadmap looks like. However, if you are looking for a role primarily focused on drafting high-level corporate blueprints rather than getting stuck into delivery, this won't be the right fit.</li><li>We build experiences, not just systems: If your style of product management stops once the software is deployed, you might find our holistic focus frustrating. We care just as much about the communication gaps and process friction outside the tool as we do about the UI inside it.</li></ul>What We're Looking For<ul><li>A Proven Track Record in Onboarding: You have successfully delivered digital products before, ideally with direct experience shaping an Onboarding or candidate-to-employee journey.</li><li>An "Experience-First" Mindset: You naturally think about the emotional journey of the user. You understand that a great product includes the emails, the timing, and the human interactions surrounding it.</li><li>Product Thinking vs. Project Delivery: You can manage a timeline when required, but you measure success by outcomes and user satisfaction, not just meeting a deadline.</li><li>Strong Stakeholder Gravitas: Comfortable holding your ground with senior stakeholders and guiding them through change, rather than just taking order requests.</li><li>Comfort with Ambiguity: HR product management is still a relatively fresh discipline. You won't inherit a well-worn playbook here; you’ll help write it.</li></ul>Why This Role?This is a genuine chance to bring modern product discipline into a space that has traditionally been run on rigid process and policy. You will see the direct, human impact of your work on your colleagues' everyday lives. You’ll be backed by a Lead who is actively clearing the strategic path and removing roadblocks, giving you the space to focus on what you do best: building exceptional experiences.<h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 6pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why Join Us?</h3><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Culture Where You Belong <span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’re proud of our inclusive culture—it’s a place where everyone feels at home. We welcome fresh ideas and pair an ambitious, can-do spirit with genuine humility. We have each other’s backs and ensure every voice is heard; that’s how we all thrive. We care about doing what’s right for our people just as much as we do for our customers, our communities, and the planet.</li><li><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your Growth, Our Support<span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Whatever you want to achieve in your career, we’re here to help you reach it. We’ll empower you to make the most of your talents in a space where you are truly valued. By providing the support you need to excel at work and the flexibility to make life work for you, we offer a career that doesn’t put your life on hold.</li><li><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rewarding Your Contribution <span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support your finances, your health, and your future:</li></ul><ul style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(62, 62, 62); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Financial Wellbeing:<span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Competitive bonus, Save-As-You-Earn scheme, and an enhanced contributory pension.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(62, 62, 62); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Health & Protection: <span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Private Medical cover and Life Assurance.</li><li dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(62, 62, 62); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; list-style-type: disc; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discounts & Perks: <span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Generous colleague discount plus a savings platform offering cashback at numerous retailers, gym memberships, and a Cycle to Work scheme.</li></ul><span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At Wickes, you can be yourself, do your best work, and make a positive difference every day<span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.We aim to create an inclusive workplace with colleagues’ wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.We’re a Disability Confident Employer and committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from disabled people and are committed to providing an accessible recruitment process and workplace for everyone. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments, please let us know <a href="http://https://www.wickescareers.co.uk/reasonable-adjustments">here</a>.<span style="font-family: "Google Sans", sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: rgb(31, 31, 31); font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">

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