Senior Product Manager
Liverpool
Full Time – Permanent
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Senior Product Manager to join our team at our recently refurbished, modern Head Office in Liverpool City Centre. Overseeing website management, UI/UX design, analytics, front-end and back-end development, as well as SEO and engagement strategies, you will be responsible for optimising customer experience, driving operational efficiencies, reducing costs and enhancing conversion rates across our digital ecosystem.
The ideal candidate will have a data-driven mindset, strong leadership abilities, and a strategic approach to technology and user engagement, working collaboratively with marketing, operations, and technology teams to ensure our digital platforms scale effectively, while delivering an outstanding user experience.
Downing are a family-owned, award-winning leading developer, owner, and operator of bespoke, luxury student accommodation, residential and commercial properties across the UK. We have been operating for over 35 years and currently have 14 operational student accommodation schemes in 10 major cities, with an impressive £1.6bn worth of developments in the pipeline.
Key Responsibilities:
Product & Digital Strategy
- Define and execute the product roadmap in alignment with business growth and customer needs.
- Identify opportunities to enhance user engagement, conversion, and operational efficiencies.
- Develop and implement SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), CRO (Conversion Rate Optimisation), and UX/UI strategies to improve site performance and user retention.
- Ensure digital assets (website, booking systems, customer portals) are optimised for scalability and security.
Customer-Centric Growth & Innovation
- Utilise user research, data analytics, and A/B testing to improve UX and drive engagement.
- Optimise customer journeys across digital touchpoints to maximise retention and bookings.
- Identify and prioritise new product features based on customer insights, market trends, and competitive analysis.
- Implement AI-driven personalisation and automation to enhance the customer experience.
SEO & Performance Optimisation
- Lead technical and non-technical SEO initiatives to improve organic growth and search rankings.
- Work with developers to optimise site performance, page speed, and indexing.
- Implement best practices for on-page and off-page SEO, link-building, and structured data.
- Monitor Google Analytics, HotJar, SQL, and other performance tools to track KPIs and inform decision-making.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead a cross-functional team including UI/UX designers, analysts, front-end and back-end developers.
- Establish agile development and design sprint methodologies to drive fast, efficient execution.
- Foster strong collaboration with marketing, operations, and business teams to align product initiatives with commercial goals.
- Manage third-party agencies, vendors, and technology partners to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
Operational Efficiency & Cost Management
- Identify automation opportunities and process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
- Work with finance and leadership to optimise technology budgets and reduce costs while maintaining quality and innovation.
- Ensure robust data privacy, security, and compliance across all digital assets.
Key Requirements:
- Senior product management experience in a B2C digital environment (preferably in hospitality, real estate, or e-commerce).
- Proven track record of driving SEO growth, conversion rate optimisation, and user engagement for a platform with high traffic (2M+ users).
- Strong understanding of website architecture, technical SEO, and performance optimisation.
- Experience with Google Analytics, SQL, HotJar, and A/B testing frameworks.
- Prior experience leading cross-functional teams (design, development, analytics, marketing, SEO).
- Ability to translate business goals into a scalable product and technology strategy.
- Experience managing agile product development and design sprints.
- A data-driven decision-maker who uses insights to inform strategy and prioritise initiatives.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate product vision to senior leadership.
- A problem solver who balances business objectives with customer experience.
- Driven personality with product judgement skills and the ability to push for results, not just ideas.
- Bias for action. Comfortable taking ownership and executing in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills.
Desirable Skills (Not Essential but beneficial)
- Experience working with React, Next.js, or modern web frameworks.
- Hands-on software engineering background.
- Familiarity with AI-driven personalisation, automation, or chatbot integration.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary.
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays.
- Company pension contribution.
- Gym access.
- Modern office in the centre of Liverpool’s business district.
- Employee assistant program.
- Life assurance cover.
