Head of Product

Why Ocean Software?

For over 30 years, Ocean Software has been a trusted partner of defence forces and aviation organisations worldwide, delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance training, streamline operations, and improve readiness. We exist to support the people behind critical missions - those who protect lives, ensure safety, and strive for excellence - by providing the tools they need to succeed. Because when every individual is prepared, and every operation runs smoothly, missions succeed, lives are safeguarded, and communities thrive.

Position Purpose

The Head of Product role plays a pivotal part in transforming customer and market needs into innovative software solutions, including defining the future product vision and roadmap. This position is responsible for overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from strategy ideation and concept development to design and eventual inclusion into Ocean's products.

The role involves strategic planning, team leadership, and hands-on involvement in the product process, including development of product management & design processes, ensuring that our software solutions consistently meet the evolving needs of our defence force and commercial customers.

This role is full-time based in Melbourne at Ocean's Head Office and will require occasional domestic and international travel.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Product Ideation and Strategy

• Identify and validate customer and market problems to guide product ideation and innovation.
• Develop, articulate, execute upon and maintain a clear product strategy and multi-year roadmap aligned to company strategy, competitive landscape, and customer feedback.

Customer Centricity and Market Awareness

• Maintain a strong customer focus, understanding their needs and translating them into product features that bring value. Represent the needs of customers using approaches such Voice of Customer (VoC).
• Stay informed about industry trends, competitive landscape, and technological advancements to continuously refine product strategy and ensure this information is communicated across the business.
• Identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies (e.g. AI/ML, advanced analytics, automation) to enhance product capabilities and customer value.

Design and Development Oversight

• Manage the design process of new features and enhancements, working closely with UX/UI designers and architects.
• Ensure that product designs align with customer needs, technical feasibility, and market trends.
• Ensure that product design considers how the product is delivered and supported.
• Embed best practices in user-centred design, accessibility, and usability testing.
• Align with Security/Compliance teams (e.g. ISO27001 considerations) to ensure that design and development considers and incorporates required security standards for data protection, specific regulatory requirements, and risk mitigations.

Product Delivery and Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the end-to-end process of product development, from conception through to delivery in the product.
• Prioritise delivery of initiatives based on business impact, customer value, technical feasibility, and resource capacity.
• Collaborate with Software Engineering and Customer Success teams to ensure successful delivery of high-quality releases on schedule.

Team Leadership and Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead and mentor a diverse team, fostering an environment of customer-centric innovation and excellence.
• Coordinate with Sales and Customer Success to develop go-to-market strategies, sales enablement materials, and onboarding flows.
• Liaise with Sales & Marketing teams for positioning, messaging, and campaigns that resonate with target segments.
• Actively participate as a member of the company's senior management team, contributing to broader business strategies and decisions.
• Prepare and present regular product updates, roadmap reviews, and performance reports to executive leadership.
• Communicate trade-offs, risks, and dependencies transparently, and propose mitigation plans.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with various departments to ensure cohesive efforts in product development and overarching customer success.

General

Comply with Ocean's Code of Conduct and embrace and exhibit our Company Values:

O – OWN the outcome

C – CREATE value

E – EMPOWER others

A – ACT with integrity

N – NURTURE our brand

• Conform to Ocean's Health & Safety, Quality and Information Security Policies, Procedures, and Work Instructions.
• Positively influence and collaborate with colleagues to meet customer needs.
• Continuously strive to identify and support product and process improvements, quality and team efficiency, including facilitating quality discussions.
• Various ad-hoc administration duties as required.

Skills and Experience

• Minimum 7 years of product management experience in a software environment, with at least 2–3 years in a leadership or senior management role overseeing cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrable ability to define product vision, conduct market/customer analysis, set prioritisation frameworks, and measure outcomes via data-driven KPIs.
• Strong background in ideating, designing, and delivering software products.
• Experience in managing cross-functional teams, including UX/UI designers, Product Managers, Business Analysts and technical roles.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members, foster collaboration, and cultivate a culture of ownership.
• Demonstrated capability in strategic planning and execution.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with demonstrable experience aligning diverse stakeholders (executive, sales, marketing, customers) around product priorities.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in a related field such as software engineering, computer science, or business.
• Proven experience in working directly with customers and understanding their problems.
• Knowledge and experience of how business and commercial considerations impact and are factored into product strategy and development.
• Experience in highly regulated environments (defence, aviation, public sector/government) and understanding of compliance requirements (e.g. ISO27001).
• Prior exposure to defence, aviation, or enterprise operations management software.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join an innovative company at the forefront of global defense readiness. This is your opportunity to take ownership of end-to-end product lifecycle, from strategy ideation and concept development to design and eventual inclusion into Ocean's products.

If you're energetic, proactive, and excited about defining the future product vision and roadmap and making a real difference, apply now and be part of something bigger.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this position. We are not accepting unsolicited resumes or services from recruitment agencies at this time.