Head of Product, Nature Research Assistant

About Springer Nature

Springer Nature opens the doors to discovery for researchers, educators, clinicians and other professionals. Every day, around the globe, our imprints, books, journals, platforms and technology solutions reach millions of people. For over 180 years our brands and imprints have been a trusted source of knowledge to these communities and today, more than ever, we see it as our responsibility to ensure that fundamental knowledge can be found, verified, understood and used by our communities – enabling them to improve outcomes, make progress, and benefit the generations that follow.

About the Role

Springer Nature is seeking a visionary and execution-focused Head of Product to lead the development and growth of the Nature Research Assistant – an exciting new AI-driven product for the academic research community. You will define and drive the product strategy, champion innovation, and deliver high-impact features that empower researchers worldwide. With the product currently in closed beta, you will be joining at a pivotal time with the chance to influence its direction, scale its success, and make a lasting mark.

You will work at the heart of a dynamic, cross-functional and collaborative team that is passionate about advancing science through technology.

Role Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Vision

• Set the long-term product vision and strategy for Nature Research Assistant in collaboration with key stakeholders.
• Align product goals with Springer Nature’s wider strategic priorities.
• Champion user/customer-centric design and data-driven decision-making.

Product Development

• Collaborate with the AI/ML team, front and back-end development team, domain experts and external partners to ensure ethical, scalable, and impactful product development.
• Define and evolve the roadmap in collaboration with key stakeholders and in line with the strategy and available resources.
• Set and review sprint goals.
• Set, monitor and report on OKRs.

Cross-functional Leadership

• Collaborate closely with engineering, ML, design, domain experts, legal, marketing, and sales teams to deliver impactful product experiences.
• In time, manage and mentor a growing product team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.
• Champion the product internally and externally; pursue valuable opportunities for synergies.
• Deputise for the Director of Product, as required.

User Engagement & Insights

• Obsess about the needs of users and customers. Conduct user research with researchers and customers to identify pain points and opportunities.
• Translate insights into actionable product features and enhancements.

Operational Excellence

• Own product KPIs and performance metrics, ensuring continuous improvement and measurable impact.
• Oversee product lifecycle management, from ideation to launch and iteration.

Experience, Skills and Qualifications

Essential

• Proven success in launching and scaling digital, commercial products. Ideally with experience in incubation stage/startups or in fast-paced environments, with fast loops of product iteration with customers.
• Ideally, a PhD in a natural science.
• Solid experience in lean product development and lean agile delivery methodologies (such as kanban).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Solid familiarity with agile methodologies, UX principles, and data analytics.
• Strong commercial competency skills.
• Confident working with complexity and uncertainty.

Desirable

• Experience with AI/ML technologies.

Springer Nature is a Disability Confident Committed Employer and we encourage applications from candidates with disabilities. If you consider yourself to have a disability or learning difficulty and wish to submit your application in an alternative format or would like to discuss reasonable adjustments during the application and interview process, please get in touch either by phone on +44 (0)207 014 4020 or by email EMEACareers@springernature.com so we can make any necessary arrangements.

At Springer Nature we value the diversity of our teams. We recognize the many benefits of a diverse workforce with equitable opportunities for everyone. We strive for an inclusive workplace that empowers all our colleagues to thrive. Our search for the best talent fully encompasses and embraces these values and principles.

Springer Nature was awarded Diversity Team of the Year at the 2022 British Diversity Awards. Find out more about our DEI work here https://group.springernature.com/gp/group/taking-responsibility/diversity-equity-inclusion

For more information about career opportunities in Springer Nature please visit https://careers.springernature.com

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