The Spectator

Job offer: Product Owner

Over the last decade, The Spectator — the world’s oldest weekly — has almost doubled its sales in a market that has fallen by two thirds. In an era where publications are judged by the quality of the digital product as much as they are the magazine, the role of product owner is crucial to our continued success. We are looking for someone to manage and oversee our digital products — including primarily our website and app, but also our podcast and video platforms.


You will act as a bridge between the digital, editorial and marketing departments. So you’ll be not just technically proficient, but also a meticulous organiser, communicator and project manager with a keen eye for detail who can juggle several mission-critical projects all at once.


You will:

  • Support the Chief Technology Officer in developing the product roadmap and evolution of all digital products
  • Understand and support the needs of the editorial and marketing (i.e., subscription) departments and adjust product pipeline accordingly
  • Plan, execute, and review each product phase/sprint during development
  • Manage the product backlog by proper prioritisation, communicating with colleagues every step of the way
  • Stay up-to-date on the latest technologies, to ensure The Spectator keeps pace with or excess the best-in-class
  • Develop user stories and use cases to guide our product development
  • Act as the digital liaison with all internal departments, holding weekly meetings on progress
  • Manage relations with our digital suppliers, including website and app agencies
  • Write clear product briefs and be able to deliver instructions to technical agency partners and internal developers

While you’ll be in The Spectator’s digital department, you’ll have constant communication with (and occasional relocation to) other departments, specifically editorial and marketing. At The Spectator, we’re a small collaborative team and we constantly liaise with each other. So you may sit with editorial or with marketing a couple of days a week.


You will have a strong understanding of the media landscape and digital journalism, understanding needs of editors and (most of all) readers. You’ll be able to translate those needs in both plain English and in technical terms. You’ll have a gift for making things simple, intuitive and easy to understand. An ability to build strong working relationships will be key to the success of this role.

Familiarity with WordPress (VIP) Google Analytics, and general web, data, and mobile technology platforms is preferred. We and our agency partners work within a casual agile format, but any CSPO will also be preferred. Working at The Spectator is a rare chance to be involved in an industry-leading, fast-paced publication. We’re family-owned and have a relatively small team, so decisions happen quickly and without layers of red tape.

To apply

Please email your CV and covering letter to jobs@pressholdings.com Please include your current salary and, if applicable, your notice period, together with a brief summary of why you would be suited to the role.

Closing date for applications is 25 July 2022. If you have not received a response from us by 4 August 2022, please assume that you have not been shortlisted for an interview.


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