Specialist, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Specialist, Product Strategy

Company: NewDay

Location: London, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy / Operations

Date Posted: April 27, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive strategic decision-making within the Product Strategy team, focusing on market-leading credit card and Embedded Finance products.

• Leverage data analysis and consumer insights to provide evidential foundations for product strategy and inform portfolio decisions.

• Manage and structure the innovation backlog, cataloguing ideas, hypotheses, and supporting prioritization frameworks.

• Conduct competitor intelligence tracking and translate findings into actionable implications for the product portfolio.

• Support strategic workstreams, including deep dives, JIRA board management, and preparation for strategy reviews.

📝 Enhancement Note: While titled "Specialist, Product Strategy," this role possesses significant operational undertones. The emphasis on data synthesis, dashboard monitoring, innovation backlog management, competitor intelligence, and supporting execution workstreams aligns closely with functions often found within Revenue Operations, Sales Operations, or GTM Strategy teams that support product development and market positioning. The core responsibility of translating data into actionable insights for strategic decision-making is a hallmark of effective operations roles.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Monitor key performance indicator (KPI) dashboards and generate regular reports to track portfolio health, including customer insights, Net Promoter Score (NPS) drivers, and feature usage.

• Design and execute consumer surveys to validate strategic hypotheses and gather qualitative data to support product strategy.

• Distill complex data sets, research findings, and market trends into clear, concise narratives and insight packs for executive consumption.

• Maintain and organize the product innovation backlog, ensuring all ideas, hypotheses, and supporting evidence are accurately captured and tagged.

• Collaborate with the Research Subject Matter Expert (SME) to gather and analyze competitor intelligence, articulating the strategic implications for NewDay's product portfolio.

• Prepare structured materials and presentations for strategic reviews, deep dives, and cross-functional team meetings.

• Manage JIRA boards and other workflow tools to track progress on strategic initiatives and support Product Managers in delivery execution.

• Partner with Product Managers and other stakeholders to ensure product strategy is aligned with business objectives and customer needs.

• Support the development and refinement of prioritization frameworks for product initiatives and innovation opportunities.

• Conduct ad-hoc analysis to support specific strategic questions or business cases related to product performance and market opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of analytical rigor and strategic support. The "Portfolio Health Snapshot" and "innovation backlog management" are key operational functions that require structured processes and data-driven approaches. The role acts as a crucial bridge between raw data and strategic action, a common characteristic of high-impact operations professionals.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Finance, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent practical experience will also be considered.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in a role involving strategic analysis, product insights, market research, or operations support within a product-focused environment.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyze market dynamics, identify trends, and contribute to strategic planning with a forward-looking perspective.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Proficiency in interpreting data from dashboards, surveys, and other sources to derive actionable insights.

• Market Monitoring: Experience in tracking market trends, competitor activities, and customer behavior.

• Consumer Research: Ability to design, execute, and analyze consumer surveys and qualitative research.

• Communication Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling narratives for diverse audiences.

• Structured Mindset: Aptitude for breaking down ambiguous problems, organizing information, and bringing order to complexity.

• Stakeholder Management: Comfort working with and influencing various stakeholders across different departments.

• Collaboration: A proactive, team-oriented approach with a willingness to support cross-functional initiatives.

• JIRA or Similar Workflow Tools: Familiarity with project management and workflow tracking tools.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working with business intelligence dashboards and insight/reporting functions.

• Understanding of financial services, credit products, or customer behavior within regulated industries.

• Exposure to product development lifecycle, market research methodologies, or strategic analysis frameworks.

• Experience in managing innovation backlogs or product roadmaps.

• Familiarity with Net Promoter Score (NPS) methodologies and analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirements emphasize analytical and strategic capabilities, but the inclusion of JIRA and experience with dashboards/reporting points towards operational execution and process management. The "structured mindset" and "breaking down ambiguous problems" are core competencies for operations professionals tasked with optimizing workflows and systems.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Demonstrating experience in analyzing a complex business problem, developing a strategic recommendation, and outlining the process for implementation or tracking.

• Data Synthesis Examples: Showcase instances where raw data (e.g., from surveys, market reports, internal dashboards) was transformed into clear, actionable insights presented to stakeholders.

• Process Improvement Documentation: Examples of documented processes, workflows, or backlogs that were structured, optimized, or managed to improve efficiency or strategic alignment.

• Strategic Framework Application: Evidence of applying strategic frameworks or prioritization methodologies to guide decision-making.

Process Documentation:

• Ability to document and visualize key processes related to insight generation, competitor analysis, and innovation backlog management.

• Understanding of how to establish and maintain structured workflows for data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Experience in creating clear, concise documentation that standardizes operational procedures for strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is crucial to demonstrate the ability to operationalize strategy. It should highlight how candidates take raw information and create structured outputs that drive decision-making. This is directly transferable to operations roles that require process mapping, system implementation documentation, and reporting standardization.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a "Specialist, Product Strategy" role with 2-5 years of experience in London, the estimated salary range for this position is approximately £40,000 - £55,000 per annum. This range can vary based on the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process.

Benefits:

• Hybrid Working Model: Flexibility to split time between office and remote work, promoting work-life balance.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Access to private medical and dental insurance plans.

• Pension Scheme: Generous company-matched pension contributions to support long-term financial planning.

• Generative Leave Policy: Paid time off for holidays, personal leave, and other needs.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, workshops, and support for relevant certifications to enhance skills in product strategy and operations.

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

• Discounts & Perks: Access to various employee discounts and lifestyle benefits.

Working Hours: Standard full-time working hours are typically 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered within the hybrid working model. The role requires active participation in strategic reviews and cross-functional meetings, which may occasionally necessitate adjustments to the daily schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary estimate is based on London's cost of living and average compensation for similar mid-level strategic and analytical roles in the UK financial services sector. The benefits listed are common offerings for professional roles in established UK companies, with a focus on well-being and professional growth, which are attractive to operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Services (specifically, consumer credit and Embedded Finance). NewDay is a leading provider of credit products, operating across multiple brands and serving a broad customer base. This industry context implies a strong focus on regulation, data security, customer outcomes, and commercial performance.

Company Size: NewDay is a significant player in the UK financial services market, employing a substantial number of individuals. This size suggests established processes, opportunities for specialization, and a structured environment, which can be appealing to operations professionals seeking stability and defined career paths.

Founded: NewDay has a history rooted in providing accessible credit solutions, with a continuous evolution to meet changing market demands and technological advancements. This longevity indicates a stable organization with a clear mission.

Team Structure:

• The Product Strategy team is a core function within NewDay, likely composed of specialists in market analysis, consumer insights, and strategic planning.

• It collaborates closely with Product Management, Data Analytics, Marketing, Risk, and Commercial teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using robust data, consumer insights, and market intelligence to inform strategic choices.

• Customer-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering exceptional customer outcomes and ensuring product propositions meet customer needs effectively.

• Agile Support: While primarily strategic, the team supports execution workstreams, suggesting an agile or iterative approach to strategic development and implementation.

• Evidence-Based Strategy: Commitment to building a strong evidential foundation for all strategic decisions.

Company Website: https://www.newday.co.uk/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding NewDay's position in the financial services sector is key. For an operations professional, this means an environment where data integrity, regulatory compliance, and measurable impact (commercial value, customer outcomes) are paramount. The hybrid model and emphasis on innovation suggest a modern, forward-thinking company culture.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This "Specialist" role represents a mid-level position, typically requiring 2-5 years of relevant experience. It's an excellent stepping stone for individuals looking to deepen their expertise in product strategy, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making. It offers significant exposure to strategic planning and execution support, which are foundational for more senior operations or product management roles.

Reporting Structure: The role reports into the Product Strategy team, likely to a Product Strategy Manager or a senior member of the team. This position involves significant collaboration with Product Managers, Data Analysts, and other cross-functional stakeholders, providing broad visibility across the organization.

Operations Impact: The individual in this role directly impacts NewDay's strategic direction by providing the critical insights and evidence needed to shape its product portfolio. Success in this role contributes to the commercial viability of products, customer satisfaction, and market differentiation, all key operational performance indicators.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas such as consumer insights, competitive intelligence, or innovation management.

• Product Management Pathway: Develop skills and experience necessary to transition into a Product Manager role, taking ownership of product lifecycles.

• Strategic Leadership: Progress to senior strategy roles, leading complex strategic initiatives and influencing organizational direction.

• Cross-Functional Exposure: Gain experience working with diverse teams, enhancing understanding of end-to-end business operations and strategic alignment.

• Skill Development: Opportunities to learn advanced data analysis techniques, survey design, and strategic planning methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a developmental opportunity, particularly for those aspiring to product management or advanced strategy roles. The operations perspective here is about enabling strategic growth through robust analysis and structured processes, offering a clear career trajectory within product operations or GTM strategy.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as Hybrid, meaning it will involve a mix of working from the NewDay London office and remote work. This offers a balance between in-person collaboration and the flexibility of remote working.

Office Location(s): The primary office location is London, United Kingdom. This provides access to a major business hub with potential for networking and engaging with industry peers. Specific office building details would be provided upon commencement.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The office setting is designed to foster collaboration, with meeting rooms, breakout spaces, and potentially open-plan areas to facilitate interaction with colleagues from Product Strategy and other departments.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office equipment, reliable internet, and the necessary software and systems required for data analysis, reporting, and project management (e.g., laptops, relevant software licenses).

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for regular face-to-face interaction with the Product Strategy team, allowing for real-time brainstorming, problem-solving, and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time, 40 hours per week. The hybrid arrangement allows for flexibility in structuring the work week, balancing in-office days with remote days. While core hours may apply for team meetings and key stakeholder interactions, there is likely autonomy in managing daily tasks and project timelines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature of the role is a significant factor for many operations professionals, balancing the need for focused work with collaborative team engagement. The London location places it within a dynamic financial services ecosystem.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and potentially a brief introductory call with an HR representative or recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A more in-depth discussion with the Hiring Manager (likely a Product Strategy Manager) focusing on your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and understanding of the role's responsibilities. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data interpretation, market monitoring, and problem-solving.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Case Study: This may involve a practical exercise, such as analyzing a dataset, reviewing competitor information, or outlining a strategy for a specific product challenge. This is where presenting portfolio examples will be crucial.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with other members of the Product Strategy team or key cross-functional stakeholders (e.g., Product Managers, Data Analysts) to assess collaboration style and broader fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially a final discussion with a senior leader to confirm suitability and discuss career aspirations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose 2-3 of your strongest projects that best demonstrate your ability to turn data into strategic insights and manage complex information.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline:

  • The Business Problem/Objective
  • Your Role and Responsibilities
  • The Data/Information Used
  • Your Analysis and Key Insights
  • The Strategic Recommendation/Outcome
  • Any Challenges Encountered and How You Overcame Them

• Highlight Operations & Process: Even if the project wasn't explicitly "operations," emphasize the structured processes you followed, the data management involved, and how your work streamlined decision-making or improved efficiency.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, use metrics to demonstrate the tangible results of your work (e.g., "led to a 15% increase in survey response rate," "identified cost savings opportunities of X," "informed prioritization leading to Y feature launch").

• Visual Aids: Use clean, professional visuals (charts, graphs, simplified process flows) to present your data and insights.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as compelling stories that showcase your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Familiarize yourself with NewDay's brands, its position in the credit card market, and its Embedded Finance offerings.

• Practice Data Interpretation: Be ready to analyze sample data sets or charts and explain your findings and strategic implications.

• Competitor Awareness: Think about how you would approach competitor analysis for a financial services product.

• Structured Problem Solving: Practice breaking down a hypothetical product or market challenge into manageable components.

• Communication Clarity: Rehearse explaining complex ideas concisely and clearly, as if to a non-technical audience.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a "Specialist" role often includes a practical assessment or case study. A well-prepared portfolio that showcases analytical rigor, structured thinking, and the ability to derive actionable insights from data will be a significant advantage, directly aligning with the operational aspects of the role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Data Analysis & Visualization: Tools like Excel (advanced functions, PivotTables), potentially SQL for data extraction, and BI platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for dashboard creation and reporting.

• Project Management: JIRA is explicitly mentioned, indicating its importance for tracking tasks, workflows, and strategic initiative progress. Other tools like Asana or Trello might also be relevant for general task management.

• Survey Tools: Experience with platforms like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, or Google Forms for designing and deploying consumer surveys.

• Presentation Software: Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides for creating compelling insight packs and strategy review materials.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Dashboarding Tools: Familiarity with creating and interpreting dashboards that track KPIs such as customer insights, NPS drivers, feature usage, and market performance.

• Reporting Frameworks: Understanding how to structure reports that synthesize data into clear narratives for executive audiences.

CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly mentioned as a primary tool for this role, a general understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and automation principles can be beneficial for understanding customer data flows and how insights might impact automated customer journeys or marketing efforts.

• Data Interpretation Tools: General familiarity with statistical software or libraries if deeper quantitative analysis is required.

📝 Enhancement Note: The technology stack leans towards analytical and project management tools. Proficiency in JIRA and data visualization tools is key. For operations professionals, this indicates a need for strong data literacy and the ability to leverage technology to drive efficiency and strategic alignment.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Integrity: A core value of ensuring data accuracy, robust analysis, and evidence-based decision-making in all strategic recommendations.

• Customer Focus: Prioritizing customer outcomes and ensuring that product strategies are aligned with delivering value and positive experiences for NewDay's customers.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Fostering an environment where team members share insights, work together across functions, and communicate openly about progress and challenges.

• Strategic Agility: The ability to adapt to evolving market conditions, customer needs, and business priorities, translating these into agile strategic adjustments.

• Efficiency & Effectiveness: A commitment to optimizing processes for insight generation and strategic planning to ensure timely and impactful contributions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: The role requires close collaboration with Product Management, Data teams, Marketing, Risk, and Commercial departments. This involves active listening, clear communication, and a willingness to integrate different perspectives.

• Insight Sharing: A culture of sharing findings and insights proactively to ensure all relevant stakeholders are informed and can leverage the intelligence for their own workstreams.

• Constructive Feedback: An environment where feedback on insights, strategies, and processes is welcomed and used for continuous improvement.

• Supportive Team Environment: A willingness to assist colleagues, share knowledge, and contribute to the overall success of the Product Strategy team and NewDay's strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize analytical rigor, customer-centricity, and collaboration—all critical for successful operations teams. The collaborative style highlights the need for strong interpersonal skills, essential for any operations role that interfaces with multiple departments.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Data Synthesis Complexity: Effectively consolidating and making sense of disparate data sources (market trends, internal metrics, surveys) into a cohesive strategic narrative.

• Ambiguity Management: Navigating situations where data may be incomplete or market conditions are uncertain, requiring strong analytical and problem-solving skills to formulate clear recommendations.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Gaining buy-in and ensuring alignment among diverse stakeholders with potentially competing priorities.

• Pace of Change: Keeping pace with rapid changes in the financial services industry, consumer behavior, and competitive landscape.

• Translating Insight to Action: Ensuring that generated insights are not just reported but effectively used to drive concrete product strategy decisions and execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Analytics & Insights: Opportunity to deepen skills in quantitative analysis, qualitative research methodologies, and advanced insight generation techniques.

• Product Strategy & Management: Gaining hands-on experience in strategic planning, product roadmapping, and potentially transitioning into product management.

• Financial Services Expertise: Deepening knowledge of credit products, regulatory environments, and customer behavior within the financial services sector.

• Cross-Functional Acumen: Developing a broader understanding of business operations and how strategy is executed across different departments.

• Professional Certifications: Potential support for relevant certifications in product strategy, data analysis, or project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are common for roles bridging strategy and operations, requiring adaptability and strong analytical capabilities. The growth opportunities are significant, particularly for those aiming for leadership in product-focused operations or strategic roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex data into a clear strategic recommendation. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your structured approach, data sources, and the impact of your insights.)

• "How would you approach building a competitor intelligence framework for a new credit product launch?" (Demonstrate your understanding of market analysis, data gathering, and strategic implication articulation.)

• "Imagine you're given data showing declining NPS for one of our brands. How would you begin to investigate this and what steps would you take to inform a strategy to address it?" (Highlight your investigative process, data types you'd consider, and how you'd structure your findings.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about NewDay and our position in the credit card and Embedded Finance market?" (Research NewDay's brands, recent news, and strategic goals.)

• "How do you approach working with stakeholders who have different priorities or perspectives?" (Emphasize collaboration, communication, and finding common ground.)

• "Describe your experience working in a hybrid or remote team environment. What strategies do you use to stay connected and productive?" (Showcase your adaptability and communication skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise Overview: Start with a brief summary of the project and its objective.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions and responsibilities.

• Focus on Process & Insight: Detail how you analyzed the data and what insights you uncovered. Use visuals to support your points.

• Demonstrate Impact: Quantify the results or strategic implications of your work. If direct impact is hard to measure, explain the potential or intended impact.

• Be Prepared for Questions: Anticipate questions about your methodology, challenges, and alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a structured, data-driven approach to problem-solving, clear communication skills, and an understanding of the financial services industry. Highlighting process and impact in portfolio presentations will be key.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations-adjacent strategy position:

• Submit your application through the NewDay careers portal, ensuring your CV is tailored to highlight relevant analytical, strategic, and operational experience.

• Prepare your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that showcase your ability to analyze data, derive insights, and support strategic decision-making. Focus on clear documentation of your process, the insights generated, and any measurable impact.

• Research NewDay: Familiarize yourself with NewDay's brands (Aqua, Marbles, Fluid, John Lewis & Partners, Pulse, Bip), its market position in credit cards and Embedded Finance, and its stated values.

• Practice Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), with a particular emphasis on the "Action" and "Result" components, demonstrating your strategic thinking and operational execution.

• Anticipate Case Study: Prepare for a potential skills-based assessment or case study that may involve analyzing data, competitor research, or strategic problem-solving.

⚠️ 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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