Director and Head of Product Development Construction
Director & Head of Product Development, Construction
Location: Solihull
Reports to: SVP & Head of Construction
Division: ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions - Construction
Role Overview
We are seeking a visionary and hands-on Director & Head of Product Development to lead multidisciplinary engineering and product teams across mechanical, electronic, firmware, and software domains. This role will drive innovation, product lifecycle excellence, and strategic alignment across the ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Construction business area. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electro-mechanical systems, access control technologies, and global product development leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
• Define and execute long-term technology and product roadmaps aligned with business goals and market trends.
• Lead innovation systems using lean principles and gateway-driven processes.
• Translate market and customer needs into actionable product strategies and technical requirements.
• Operate as a key part of the senior leadership team, contributing to strategic decision making and direction of business area.
• Lead technological review of potential acquisition targets
Product Development & Engineering
• Oversee full product lifecycle from concept to commercialization and through to retirement across hardware, firmware, and software.
• Drive new product development (NPD) and sustain engineering initiatives.
• Identify relevant emerging technologies and trends to integrate into the product development pipeline.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, cybersecurity, and data privacy regulations (e.g., GDPR, NIS2, CRA).
Team & Resource Management
• Lead and inspire cross-functional global teams, fostering a culture of innovation, agility, and accountability.
• Attract, retain, and develop top talent with structured succession and development plans.
• Manage resource planning, budgeting, and performance metrics (KPIs).
Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Partner with Operations, Quality, and Regulatory teams to deliver customer-centric solutions.
• Act as the key R&D interface across the Construction Business Area.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, leadership meetings, and strategic initiatives.
Technology & Process Excellence
• Promote secure-by-design practices, modular architecture, and scalable system design.
• Utilize tools such as FMEA, DFMA, DVP&R, SolidWorks, Altium, and Agile/SAFe methodologies.
• Manage intellectual property creation and portfolio strategy.
Qualifications & Experience
• Bachelor degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or related field (MBA preferred).
• Substantial experience in product development, including experience in a senior leadership role.
• Proven track record in electro-mechanical and embedded systems development.
• Experience in access control, security products, or related industries.
• Strong knowledge of Agile, DevOps, and lean product development.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking skills.
• Experience managing P&L and driving top and bottom-line growth.
Why Join Us?
• Lead innovation in a globally recognized security technology group.
• Shape the future of access control and digital security.
• Collaborate across a global organization while leading high-performing local teams.
• Be part of a mission to create a safer and more open world.
We are the ASSA ABLOY Group
Our people have made us the global leader in access solutions. In return, we open doors for them wherever they go. With nearly 63,000 colleagues in more than 70 different countries, we help billions of people experience a more open world. Our innovations make all sorts of spaces – physical and virtual – safer, more secure, and easier to access.
As an employer, we value results – not titles, or backgrounds. We empower our people to build their career around their aspirations and our ambitions – supporting them with regular feedback, training, and development opportunities. Our colleagues think broadly about where they can make the most impact, and we encourage them to grow their role locally, regionally, or even internationally.
As we welcome new people on board, it’s important to us to have diverse, inclusive teams, and we value different perspectives and experiences.
