Jessica is a product manager based in Bristol, currently working at The Premier League where she’s been since November 2023. She is a big football fan, so when a role in product management came up at The Premier League, she jumped at the opportunity. Before that, Jessica worked in eCommerce at Funky Pigeon. She’s always had a passion for apps, especially the process of turning ideas into intuitive, impactful digital experiences. Outside of work, she loves playing guitar and going on walks with her dog, Pebbles.
In your own words, what’s your role in the app business right now?
In my current role as a Product Manager, I lead the development of new features for the Pro Coach App- an app designed specifically for professional football coaches to aid their learning and development. My day to day involves working closely with developers, designers, and stakeholders to shape the product roadmap, prioritise features, keep the content fresh and relevant, and ensure we’re delivering real value to our users.
I spend a lot of time analysing how the app is used, and translating those insights into improvements. It’s a really rewarding space to be in, especially knowing the impact the app has on performance and coaching at the elite level and working with the various stakeholders within English football.
How did you end up working in apps?
I first got into working with apps during a project at Unite Students, where we rolled out an app that let students report maintenance issues in their accommodation. The facilities teams on site would then receive the jobs through a mobile app and mark them as complete. Being involved in testing the app, training the on-site teams, and refining the processes really sparked my interest in how tech can improve operations. That experience led me to explore business analysis more seriously, and I ended up completing a qualification in it soon after.
What are you most excited about in apps right now?
I personally own a Samsung Galaxy Flip phone and have heard whisperings that Apple may follow a similar path for future iphones. I’m really interested in how app developers can optimise the UI to accommodate for the front and back screens for these devices. And I can’t exclude mentioning AI being a very exciting tool to work with and the opportunities it presents.
Is there anyone you’d like to shout out to who has influenced your journey in the app industry?
I had the pleasure of working with an amazing team at Funky Pigeon. Huge shoutout to Joe Pendlebury, who really shifted my perspective on UX – he helped me see the real value in creating experiences that are not just functional, but genuinely delightful for every user.
What’s in your app tech stack?
Our app is built with React Native and powered by Expo which helps streamline development and deployment. We use Google Analytics to track user interactions and gain insights from usage data. For content management, we use Kontent.ai, which makes it incredibly easy to update and manage in-app content without needing to touch the code.
What do you like most about working in apps?
What I love most about working in apps is collaborating with developers and designers to bring ideas to life. There’s something really exciting about starting with a concept and seeing it evolve into something real that people actually use. I also love that in the world of apps, almost anything feels possible. There’s so much creativity and problem-solving involved, and always a new challenge to tackle.
What one thing would you change about the app industry?
Apps are becoming increasingly bloated with features that don’t always serve the user. How many AI chatbots have actually solved a customer service issue for you? (I’ve yet to have a positive experience with one). A shift back to simplicity and core value would improve usability and performance.
If you weren’t working in apps what would you be doing?
I’m obsessed with my corgi Pebbles – so maybe a professional dog walker. Or a disappointing stand up comedian.
iOS or Android?
Android.
What app(s) have been most useful to you over the last year?
Songkick; I get push notifications when my favourite bands are playing in Bristol.
What’s on your Spotify playlist?
I love a bit of indie music, so Wet Leg, Arctic Monkeys, Royel Otis, The Wombats, and let’s throw in some Olivia Rodrigo too.
Any TV show recommendations?
I’m a big F1 fan so Drive to Survive is up there. I also can’t resist a re-watch of any episodes of Taskmaster.
Is there anything else we should know about you?
I studied German at university and spent a year abroad in Austria teaching English in a small mountain village.
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