Senior Manager, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Manager, Product Strategy

Company: NewDay

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Strategy / Embedded Finance Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-23

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the strategic vision and evolution of the NewPay proposition to enhance customer experience and value within the embedded finance sector.

• Lead and develop a high-performing product strategy team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and impactful delivery.

• Translate complex customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis into actionable product roadmaps and innovative solutions.

• Collaborate closely with Commercial, Marketing, Credit, Product, Partnerships, and Technology teams to ensure seamless execution of product strategies and roadmaps.

• Serve as the primary product expert and advocate for key retail and white-label partners, optimizing their customer engagement strategies.

• Champion adherence to regulatory expectations and Consumer Duty principles in all product design and delivery processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Product Strategy," has significant operational implications for GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy, partner enablement, and customer lifecycle management within the embedded finance space. The focus on "NewPay proposition" and "retail/white-label partners" indicates a strong need for operational execution and cross-functional alignment to ensure successful product launches and ongoing performance.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the overarching product strategy for NewPay, aligning with NewDay's business objectives and market opportunities in embedded finance.

• Develop and execute a detailed product roadmap, prioritizing features and initiatives based on customer value, commercial impact, and strategic alignment.

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of three Senior Product Specialists, enhancing their capabilities in strategy, execution, and stakeholder engagement.

• Conduct in-depth market analysis, competitive intelligence, and customer research to identify emerging trends and unmet needs within the consumer credit and retail finance landscape.

• Collaborate with Commercial and Partnerships teams to identify, onboard, and manage strategic retail and white-label partners, ensuring their success with NewPay.

• Work closely with Marketing to develop compelling value propositions and go-to-market plans that resonate with target customer segments and partner channels.

• Partner with Credit and Risk teams to ensure product offerings are compliant with regulatory requirements, including Consumer Duty, and align with risk appetite.

• Liaise with Technology and Digital Product teams to oversee the agile development and delivery of product features, ensuring timely and high-quality execution.

• Act as the internal and external evangelist for the NewPay proposition, articulating its value and strategic importance to various stakeholders.

• Monitor product performance metrics, conduct post-launch analysis, and iterate on strategies to optimize customer outcomes, engagement, and commercial performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic thinking and operational execution. The "influence across the business" and "partnering with Commercial, Marketing, Credit, Product, Partnerships, and Technology teams" highlights the need for strong cross-functional operational coordination and communication skills. The emphasis on "optimizing customer experiences and maximizing engagement throughout the customer lifecycle" points to a focus on customer journey mapping and operational efficiency in service delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While not explicitly stated, a Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field is typically expected for a Senior Manager role. A Master's degree or MBA would be advantageous.

Experience: 5-10 years of progressive experience in product management, product strategy, or a related GTM operations role, with a significant portion focused on the financial services or fintech industry.

Required Skills:

• Embedded Finance Expertise: Deep understanding of instalment lending, retail/POS finance, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and other consumer credit products.

• Product Strategy Development: Proven ability to define and execute customer-centric product strategies that drive measurable commercial results and market growth.

• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Exceptional skills in managing relationships with senior leaders, external partners, and diverse cross-functional teams, influencing decisions effectively.

• Customer Insight Translation: Ability to synthesize customer insights, behavioral trends, and commercial performance data into clear, actionable product direction and strategic initiatives.

• Product Delivery & Agile Knowledge: Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, with comfort working alongside design, technology, and digital product teams in an agile environment.

• People Leadership: Demonstrated experience in managing, coaching, and developing high-performing product professionals, fostering team growth and capability.

• Commercial Acumen: A keen understanding of business drivers, revenue generation, and profitability within the retail finance sector.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with retail or white-label partners, adept at balancing differing priorities to build successful, long-term relationships.

• Strong grasp of digital product development methodologies, including agile delivery frameworks and customer journey optimization techniques.

• Experience navigating regulated environments, particularly within consumer lending, financial services, or fintech sectors.

• Natural leadership qualities, capable of inspiring teams, driving collaboration, and building alignment around a shared vision.

• An entrepreneurial mindset, characterized by curiosity, resilience, and a hands-on approach to problem-solving and opportunity creation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "essential skills" list strongly aligns with GTM operations and product operations functions. The emphasis on translating insights into product direction, managing cross-functional teams, and understanding partner dynamics is critical for operational success in launching and scaling financial products. The preferred skills further highlight the importance of partnership management and navigating regulated environments, which require robust operational frameworks.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Roadmap Examples: Showcase instances where you developed and executed a product strategy, detailing the process from market analysis to roadmap creation and prioritization.

• Case Studies of Product Launches: Provide examples of successful product launches or proposition enhancements, highlighting your role in defining the strategy, working with cross-functional teams, and the resulting commercial impact.

• Partner Collaboration Frameworks: Demonstrate experience in managing relationships with external partners, including how you aligned priorities, managed contracts, or optimized joint customer experiences.

• Customer Journey Optimization Projects: Illustrate projects where you analyzed customer journeys, identified pain points, and implemented product or process changes to improve experience and conversion rates.

• Data-Driven Decision-Making Evidence: Present examples of how you used data (customer insights, market trends, commercial performance) to inform strategic decisions and product prioritization.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Documents: Examples of market analysis reports, competitive landscapes, or strategic frameworks used to define product direction.

• Roadmap and Prioritization Artifacts: Showcase tools or documents used for roadmap planning, feature prioritization (e.g., using scoring models), and backlog management.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Charters/Processes: Evidence of how you established clear roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols for GTM or product development initiatives.

• Performance Measurement Frameworks: Examples of KPIs, OKRs, or dashboards used to track product performance, customer engagement, and commercial outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Manager role in product strategy with deep GTM operational connections, a portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, cross-functional execution, and measurable impact is crucial. The emphasis should be on how these products were brought to market and how their performance was managed operationally.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for Senior Manager roles in Product Strategy within London's financial services sector, with 5-10 years of experience, the estimated salary range is typically between £70,000 and £95,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, the company's compensation philosophy, and the exact scope of responsibilities.

Benefits:

• Competitive Pension Scheme: Generous employer contributions to a company pension plan.

• Annual Performance Bonus: Opportunity for a performance-related bonus based on individual and company achievements.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Private medical insurance covering a range of healthcare needs.

• Generous Annual Leave: A substantial allowance for paid time off, plus public holidays.

• Life Assurance: Financial protection for dependents.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support services for personal and professional well-being.

• Discounts and Perks: Potential access to retail discounts, financial wellness programs, and other employee benefits.

• Professional Development Budget: Allocation for training, certifications, conferences, and other learning opportunities relevant to product strategy and embedded finance.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet business needs, especially during critical product launches or partner engagements. The role is on-site in London, implying a structured work week within the office.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on publicly available data for similar roles in London, considering the requested experience level and the financial services industry. Benefits are typical for a company of NewDay's presumed size and sector, focusing on financial security, well-being, and professional growth, which are attractive to operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services / Consumer Credit / Fintech. NewDay operates within the dynamic UK consumer finance market, focusing on providing responsible credit solutions, particularly through its embedded finance offerings like NewPay. This industry context implies a strong emphasis on regulatory compliance, data security, and customer protection.

Company Size: NewDay is a significant player in the UK credit market, likely employing several thousand individuals. This scale suggests established processes, dedicated departments for various functions (e.g., operations, risk, technology), and opportunities for structured career progression.

Founded: NewDay was established in 2006. Its history as a dedicated consumer finance provider likely means a deep understanding of its market, a robust operational infrastructure, and a commitment to evolving its product offerings to meet changing customer and regulatory demands.

Team Structure:

• Product Strategy Team: A focused team of specialists reporting to the Senior Manager, responsible for defining and driving the NewPay proposition.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The Senior Manager will work extensively with leaders and teams across Commercial, Marketing, Credit, Product Development, Partnerships, and Technology. This collaborative structure is essential for successful GTM strategy execution.

• Reporting Line: The Senior Manager likely reports into a Head of Product, Director of GTM, or a similar senior leadership role within the business unit responsible for embedded finance or retail partnerships.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: The company likely employs rigorous data analysis to understand customer behavior, market trends, and commercial performance, forming the basis for strategic decisions.

• Agile Product Development: Embracing agile methodologies for product development and iterative improvement is common in fintech and financial services to ensure speed and responsiveness.

• Partnership-Centric Operations: A strong focus on building and nurturing relationships with retail and white-label partners, requiring structured operational processes for onboarding, management, and performance tracking.

Company Website: [NewDay Website - Assuming newday.co.uk or similar for UK operations]

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on embedded finance and retail partnerships indicates a strong GTM operations component. Understanding how NewDay integrates its financial products into partner ecosystems is key. The "Consumer Duty" mention is a significant regulatory driver that impacts product design, customer communication, and operational processes.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a significant step into senior management within product strategy, with direct operational impact on a key business proposition (NewPay). It's a role that bridges strategic planning with the execution oversight necessary for GTM success. The position requires not just conceptual strategy but also the ability to operationalize it through cross-functional leadership and partner engagement.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Manager will report to a Director or Head of Product/GTM, overseeing a small team of specialists. This structure allows for focused strategic direction while leveraging the expertise of individual team members and cross-functional partners for execution.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on revenue generation through the NewPay proposition, customer acquisition, retention, and partner success. The operational effectiveness of the product strategy directly influences NewDay's market position and financial performance in the embedded finance sector.

Growth Opportunities:

• Advancement to Director Level: Potential progression to Head of Product, Director of Embedded Finance, or a similar senior leadership role overseeing a broader product portfolio or business unit.

• Specialization in Fintech/Embedded Finance: Deepen expertise in a rapidly growing and evolving sector, becoming a subject matter expert in product strategy and GTM operations for financial services.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to expand people management skills, strategic planning capabilities, and influence within a large, established financial institution.

• Cross-Functional Leadership Exposure: Gain experience leading complex initiatives that require deep collaboration and influence across diverse departments, preparing for broader organizational leadership roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is positioned for individuals looking to grow into leadership roles within product and GTM operations, specifically within the specialized and high-impact area of embedded finance. The emphasis on strategy execution and partner management provides a strong foundation for future operational leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is explicitly stated as "On-site" in London. This suggests a traditional office-based work environment, likely a modern corporate office with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and individual workstations.

Office Location(s): London, United Kingdom. This prime location offers access to a large talent pool, excellent public transport links, and a vibrant business ecosystem. Specific office details would need to be confirmed with NewDay.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The emphasis on influencing and partnering across teams suggests an office designed to facilitate cross-functional interaction, potentially with open-plan areas and dedicated meeting spaces.

• Tools and Technology: Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, including laptops, communication tools (e.g., Slack, Teams), project management software, and relevant financial/product analytics platforms.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with direct reports, peers, and senior leaders, fostering strong working relationships and efficient communication.

Work Schedule: While standard office hours are expected (e.g., 9 am to 5 pm), the dynamic nature of product strategy and partner management may require occasional flexibility to accommodate international partner time zones, critical deadlines, or strategic planning sessions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in London indicates a preference for in-person collaboration and team integration, which can be beneficial for complex GTM operations and stakeholder management. This environment is conducive to building strong relationships and fostering a cohesive team culture.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications, focusing on embedded finance experience, product strategy background, and leadership capabilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with product strategy, team leadership, and stakeholder management, likely with scenario-based questions related to embedded finance challenges.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Commercial, Technology, Credit, or Marketing to assess collaboration skills, understanding of their respective functions, and ability to influence.

• Case Study or Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare a presentation on a strategic initiative, a product roadmap for a hypothetical scenario, or an analysis of market trends in embedded finance. This is a critical opportunity to showcase your strategic thinking and communication skills.

• Senior Leadership Interview: A final discussion with a Director or VP to assess cultural fit, strategic vision, and overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio to clearly demonstrate your strategic thinking, execution capabilities, and measurable results. Use a consistent structure for each case study (e.g., Problem, Solution, Role, Impact/Results).

• Quantify Achievements: Wherever possible, use data and metrics to quantify the impact of your strategies and initiatives. For embedded finance, this could include growth in customer acquisition, transaction volume, partner satisfaction, or revenue.

• Highlight Partner Collaboration: Include examples showcasing your ability to manage complex relationships with retail or white-label partners, detailing how you aligned objectives and drove mutual success.

• Demonstrate Strategic Process: Showcase your approach to market analysis, strategy formulation, roadmap development, and prioritization. Explain the methodologies you used.

• Tailor to NewDay: Research NewDay's current portfolio, market position, and any publicly available strategic initiatives. Highlight how your experience aligns with their stated goals, particularly concerning NewPay and embedded finance.

Challenge Preparation:

• Embedded Finance Market Dynamics: Be prepared to discuss current trends, regulatory changes (e.g., Consumer Duty), and competitive landscapes in the UK embedded finance and consumer credit markets.

• Product Strategy Frameworks: Review common frameworks for product strategy development, market segmentation, competitive analysis, and roadmap planning.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Think through how you would handle situations involving conflicting priorities, difficult partner negotiations, or gaining buy-in from reluctant stakeholders.

• Team Leadership Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have coached, developed, or managed underperforming team members, and how you foster a high-performance culture.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is designed to assess strategic thinking, leadership, and operational execution capabilities. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates impact and a well-prepared approach to case studies will be essential for success, particularly in demonstrating how you translate strategy into tangible GTM outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce (or similar) for managing partner relationships, sales pipelines, and customer data.

• Product Management Tools: Jira, Confluence, Aha! (or similar) for roadmap planning, backlog management, user story creation, and documentation.

• Analytics & Business Intelligence Platforms: Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics, or proprietary NewDay tools for data analysis, performance tracking, and reporting.

• Collaboration & Communication Tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom for day-to-day communication, virtual meetings, and cross-functional collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Warehousing/Lakes: Experience working with data stored in central repositories for comprehensive analysis.

• SQL: Proficiency in querying databases for data extraction and analysis is often beneficial for operations roles.

• Reporting Dashboards: Ability to create and interpret dashboards to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product adoption, customer engagement, and commercial success.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Experience with tools that support campaign execution, customer segmentation, and personalized communication.

• Integration Platforms: Understanding of how different systems (CRM, core banking, marketing tools) integrate to create seamless customer experiences.

• Customer Data Platforms (CDP): Potentially used for unifying customer data for better insights and personalized interactions.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a Product Strategy role, proficiency with tools common in GTM operations and Product Operations is highly relevant. The ability to leverage data through analytics platforms and CRM systems to inform strategy and track performance is crucial for demonstrating operational impact.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Customer-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and serving customer needs, ensuring products deliver tangible value and positive experiences, aligning with Consumer Duty principles.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A culture that values empirical evidence, using data analytics to inform strategy, measure success, and drive continuous improvement in product and operational performance.

• Collaboration and Partnership: Emphasis on strong cross-functional teamwork and building effective relationships with both internal departments and external retail/white-label partners.

• Innovation and Agility: A willingness to embrace new ideas, adapt to market changes, and iterate on product offerings and operational processes to maintain a competitive edge.

• Accountability and Ownership: A culture where individuals and teams take responsibility for their contributions, drive initiatives forward, and are accountable for delivering measurable outcomes.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Open and transparent communication channels are vital for aligning diverse teams and partners on strategic goals and execution plans.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: A systematic approach to ensuring all involved departments (Commercial, Marketing, Tech, Credit, etc.) are aligned on product strategy, roadmaps, and timelines.

• Partner Engagement: A structured and responsive approach to working with external partners, fostering trust and mutual benefit through clear communication and shared objectives.

• Feedback Integration: A continuous loop of feedback from customers, partners, and internal teams to refine product strategy and operational processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture emphasizes a blend of customer focus, data-driven operations, and collaborative execution, all critical for success in a GTM-focused product strategy role. Understanding and aligning with these values will be key for integration and effectiveness.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Regulatory Landscape: Ensuring NewPay remains compliant with evolving consumer credit regulations (e.g., Consumer Duty) while driving innovation and growth.

• Balancing Partner Needs: Effectively managing the diverse and sometimes conflicting priorities of multiple retail and white-label partners to ensure a consistent and high-quality customer experience.

• Driving Innovation in a Mature Market: Identifying and capitalizing on new opportunities for embedded finance within a competitive and established financial services sector.

• Cross-Functional Alignment at Scale: Achieving seamless collaboration and buy-in across numerous departments within a large organization to execute complex product strategies.

• Data Integration and Insights: Synthesizing vast amounts of data from various sources (customer behavior, partner performance, market trends) into actionable strategic insights.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Embedded Finance: Opportunity to become a leading expert in a rapidly growing segment of the financial services industry.

• Strategic Leadership Development: Formal and informal training in advanced strategic planning, market analysis, and executive communication.

• Advanced Product Management Skills: Exposure to cutting-edge product development methodologies and tools.

• Partnership Management Mastery: Developing sophisticated skills in negotiating, managing, and growing complex B2B partnerships within the retail and fintech sectors.

• Industry Conferences and Networking: Potential to attend key industry events to gain insights and network with peers and thought leaders in fintech and consumer credit.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common in regulated financial services and GTM operations roles, offering significant opportunities for skill development and problem-solving. Overcoming these will build a strong foundation for future leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a product strategy for NewPay in the next 1-3 years, considering emerging trends like open banking and AI in financial services?"

  • Preparation: Research current trends in embedded finance, AI applications in credit, and open banking's potential impact. Outline a structured approach: market analysis, segment identification, competitive assessment, value proposition development, and roadmap prioritization.

• "Describe a time you had to influence senior stakeholders or external partners who had differing priorities. How did you achieve alignment and drive your product vision forward?"

  • Preparation: Prepare a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method answer. Focus on your communication, negotiation, and data-driven persuasion skills. Highlight how you understood their needs and found common ground.

• "How would you measure the success of a new embedded finance product launch, and what key operational metrics would you track post-launch?"

  • Preparation: Think about both strategic (market share, customer adoption) and operational (transaction volume, approval rates, partner integration success, customer support load) metrics. Be ready to discuss the interplay between product strategy and GTM operational execution. Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you understand about NewDay's mission and values, and how would your approach to product strategy align with them, particularly regarding the Consumer Duty?"

  • Preparation: Research NewDay's website, annual reports, and news. Understand their focus on responsible lending and customer outcomes. Prepare to articulate how your strategic decisions would prioritize customer well-being and regulatory compliance.

• "How would you foster collaboration between your product strategy team and other departments like Commercial, Technology, and Credit?"

  • Preparation: Discuss your experience with cross-functional teams. Emphasize proactive communication, clear role definition, shared goal-setting, and a partnership-oriented mindset.

• "Given the opportunity to shape the future of embedded finance at NewDay, what is the single biggest opportunity you see, and how would you operationalize it?"

  • Preparation: This is a strategic thinking question. Identify a key market trend or unmet need and outline a high-level operational plan to address it, including key partnerships, technology considerations, and potential GTM strategies. Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: Frame your portfolio examples as compelling narratives of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and impactful execution.

• Focus on "Why" and "How": Clearly articulate the strategic rationale behind your decisions and the operational processes you used to bring them to life.

• Quantify Impact: Use numbers and data to demonstrate the commercial and customer outcomes of your work.

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you successfully partnered with other teams or external stakeholders.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your specific contributions, decision-making processes, and lessons learned.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation emphasizes strategic thinking, operational execution, and cultural alignment. Candidates should be ready to discuss not just the "what" but the "how" and "why" of their strategic and operational approaches, particularly within the context of regulated financial services and partner ecosystems.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Manager, Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the NewDay careers portal via the provided URL.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight specific achievements related to embedded finance, product strategy, people leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Quantify your impact with relevant metrics.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key case studies that demonstrate your strategic planning, product development lifecycle experience, and successful GTM execution, especially in partnership-driven environments. Ensure these highlight your ability to translate insights into actionable plans and measurable results.

• Research NewDay: Understand their business model, current product offerings (especially NewPay), market position, and commitment to regulatory compliance (Consumer Duty).

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to clearly articulate your experience, strategic approach, and leadership philosophy, using specific examples that align with the job requirements and company values.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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