Product Governance Manager

Title: Product Governance Manager

Location: Leeds, Office-based

Reports to: Chief Product & Marketing Officer

Contract: Permanent, Full-time

Company Overview

Protect Group specialises in enhancing customer experience and generating additional revenue for businesses through innovative technology solutions. Founded in 2016, we’ve rapidly grown to serve over 400 business partners across 75+ countries, with a presence in 12 global offices.

Our dynamic, AI-driven widget integrates seamlessly into online booking and sales platforms, providing customer-centric solutions that boost satisfaction and ancillary revenue without significant upfront costs. At Protect Group, innovation is at our core — we continuously seek new ideas and technologies to stay ahead in today’s fast-changing market.

As a part of the Protect Group team, you will join a community that values collaboration and a shared purpose, fostering a strong sense of community. We believe in accountability and owning our responsibilities, ensuring that we deliver on promises and find solutions when challenges arise.

'Protect People' are talented, ambitious, and passionate individuals who bring energy and enthusiasm to their work every day. We are looking for someone who shares our passion for disrupting global industries across transportation, travel, hospitality, events, and financial services, driving continuous growth and success.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Product Governance Specialist to join our team and play a key role in overseeing the design, approval, and ongoing management of products in line with UK and European regulatory requirements. This individual will bring strong expertise in FCA product management rules, demonstrable experience as an FCA approved person (SMCR regime), and an excellent understanding of regulatory frameworks that govern product oversight, customer outcomes, and risk management.

The role will also support governance structures relating to European regulatory requirements (e.g., MiFID II, IDD, PRIIPs, Consumer Duty) to ensure the business remains compliant across multiple jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and maintain the product governance framework to ensure compliance with FCA requirements, including Consumer Duty and PROD rules.
• Oversee product approval and review processes, including design, target market assessment, value assessments, and distribution strategy oversight.
• Act as subject matter expert on product governance and customer outcome standards, providing guidance to product managers, compliance, and senior management.
• Ensure products are appropriately monitored post-launch, including regular reviews of performance, distribution, complaints, and customer outcomes.
• Provide assurance to senior management and committees on product governance effectiveness through regular reporting, MI, and recommendations.
• Maintain and enhance governance documentation, policies, and procedures in line with best practice and regulatory change.
• Liaise with regulators (FCA, where applicable) and ensure the business is prepared for thematic reviews or supervisory engagement.
• Contribute to cross-border product governance discussions, ensuring alignment with European regulatory structures (MiFID II, IDD, Solvency II, etc.).
• Provide training and support to colleagues on product governance and regulatory responsibilities.
• Support wider compliance and risk management initiatives as required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience as an FCA Approved Person (e.g., under the SMCR regime) with a strong track record in product governance or product management within financial services (insurance, banking, investments, or similar).
• Deep knowledge of FCA product governance rules (PROD, Consumer Duty, TCF, COBS/ICOBS as relevant).
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks and familiarity with European financial regulation (MiFID II, IDD, PRIIPs) a significant advantage.
• Experience working with governance committees, drafting board/committee papers, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels.
• Highly organised with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and regulatory requirements simultaneously

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in finance, law, business, or related field.
• Professional qualifications such as CISI, CII, ICA, or similar would be advantageous.
• Evidence of ongoing regulatory CPD.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunity to work within a growing and highly regulated financial services business.
• Exposure to UK and European product governance frameworks.
• A collaborative, professional environment where expertise and regulatory excellence are valued.