Senior Product Manager

About this RoleAs the Senior Product Manager for Sovereign Services, you will lead the development of Vodafone’s sovereign services operating model, ensuring it meets both EU regulatory requirements and the sovereignty requirements of our customers. You will define how our sovereign services are designed, governed, delivered and assured end-to-end – the people, processes, tooling, controls and partner arrangements that make a service genuinely sovereign and demonstrably compliant.
You will treat the sovereign services operating model as a product in its own right: translating EU legislation and frameworks – such as the Cloud, Data and AI Act, GDPR, NIS2, DORA, the EU Data Act and the emerging EU cloud and sovereignty certification schemes – together with market-specific and customer-specific sovereignty requirements, into a clear, implementable operating model. You will define the controls, roles, run-books and assurance mechanisms that deliver operational sovereignty (who can access data and systems, from where, and under whose jurisdiction), data sovereignty (residency, encryption and key management) and technical sovereignty across the sovereign services portfolio.
A particular focus of the role is customer trust and assurance. You will engage directly with customers and their security, legal and procurement teams to understand their sovereignty requirements, translate them into operating-model capabilities, and provide the evidence and certifications that let them adopt with confidence. You will work across Cyber Security, Legal & Regulatory, Operations, local markets, and the Cloud, Security, SaaS, AI and Networks portfolios to embed the operating model consistently across sovereign services. You will own its roadmap so that it keeps pace with a fast-evolving regulatory landscape including visibility of emerging sovereignty requirements in non-EU markets.
What you’ll doKey AccountabilitiesSovereign Operating Model Strategy: Lead the design, build and continuous evolution of Vodafone’s sovereign services operating model. Own the target operating model, its principles and governance, and align them with target markets and segments.
Regulatory & Compliance Alignment: Translate EU and market-specific sovereignty requirements (GDPR, NIS2, DORA, the EU Data Act, and cloud / sovereignty certification schemes) into operating-model controls, roles and evidence. Keep the model current as regulation evolves.
Customer Requirements & Assurance: Engage customers to capture their sovereignty requirements, translate them into operating-model capabilities, and provide the assurance, evidence and certifications that enable adoption with confidence.
Cross-functional and Cross-portfolio Delivery: Work with Cyber Security, Legal & Regulatory, Operations, local markets, and the Cloud, Security, SaaS, AI and Networks portfolios to embed the operating model into how services are delivered and run. Identify and implement ways to accelerate compliance and reduce time to market.
Portfolio Integration: Ensure the operating model applies consistently across the sovereign services portfolio, spanning Cloud, Security, SaaS, AI and Networks, and integrates cleanly with local-market delivery and customer journeys.
Internal & External Communications: Act as an internal and external thought leader for service sovereignty. Ensure the stakeholder map and communications plan is current and executed against.
Core Competencies, Knowledge and ExperienceExperience in operating-model design, service design or product management within the Telco or IT industryStrong understanding of EU digital-sovereignty regulation and frameworks (GDPR, NIS2, DORA, the EU Data Act, EUCS / sovereignty schemes)Understanding of cyber security, data protection and compliance / assurance practicesUnderstanding of sovereign cloud and sovereign services architecture and controlsExcellent communicator – clear, precise written and verbal style; facilitation skills a plusExperience working with customers and auditors in an influential, assurance-focused position, building strong relationships with peers and stakeholdersA problem solver – able to identify root causes, make decisions and implement, working without close supervisionWho you areKey Skills & AttributesAbility to translate complex regulatory and sovereignty requirements into clear, implementable operating-model designExcellent stakeholder management across Legal, Security, Operations and local markets, and across multiple geographiesDemonstrable ability to lead, co-ordinate and influence teams in a matrix organisation – direct, virtual and supplier – to deliver required outcomesComfortable presenting to a wide range of audiences, from C-level and customer security / procurement teams through to auditors and technical teamsExperience of clear thinking under tight timelines in a changing regulatory environmentStructured, evidence-led approach to governance, controls and assuranceMust-Have