Agile Product Manager

Job Title : Agile Product Manager

This position has a hybrid 3/2 work schedule and the WoodmenLife Tower in downtown Omaha is the work location.

WoodmenLife is looking to hire an Agile Product Manager to join our team!

In this role, you will support organizational goals and objectives by leading Product Owners across a complex, cross-divisional train (team of teams) delivering initiatives such as new administration platforms, enterprise software solutions, infrastructure and new product development or implementations. This role serves as the Product Manager for the ART (Agile Release Train), team of teams, fostering strong, collaborative partnerships with Agile Program Manager(s), System Architect(s), Business Owners, Customers, and Product Owners to translate ideas into a consistent and sustainable flow of business value. You will partner closely with the Agile Manager to ensure alignment with Agile practices and ways of working. You will coach teams in an inclusive manner that encourages creativity, continuous improvement, and the application of effective problem-solving techniques across both Agile and non-Agile topics. Engage effectively with others and is passionate about delivering high-quality solutions while providing exemplary customer experience

WoodmenLife is one of the best places to work in Omaha, with more than 135 years of service rooted in purpose and community. Since 1890, WoodmenLife has been dedicated to helping hardworking Americans secure their families' financial futures and leave a lasting legacy. As a purpose-driven, not-for-profit life insurance company, our commitment is to our members and the communities they call home.

As a member of the WoodmenLife family, you'll join others who share a commitment to family, community, and country. We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), life insurance, and more. Apply today to learn more!

We are looking for someone to:

• Attracts, builds, manages, coaches, and develops a talented, diverse, and inclusive group of Product Owners supporting a delivery train (team of teams).
• Collaborates with leadership to set the vision for the Product Owner practice, while partnering with the Enterprise Agility team to ensure alignment with enterprise-wide Agile strategy and standards.
• Serve as Product Manager for the ART (Agile Release Train), Team of teams, by facilitating feature prioritization and coordinating with Product Owners on scope and priorities for Program Increment / Quarterly Planning.
• As a member of the Program leadership team, works closely with the Agile Program Manager and Systems Architect to support teams during planning and execution, serving as a primary point of escalation.
• Oversees the breakdown of epics into features and manages the prioritization of the program backlog for the train.
• Creates, maintains, and communicates a comprehensive program roadmap aligned to strategic objectives.
• Partners with stakeholders to define key performance indicators and regularly tracks, reports, and communicates progress and outcomes.
• Collaborates with Portfolio leadership to provide updates on epics and initiatives to governance and steering committees. Partners with Product Owners to provide feature-level status, manage dependencies, and negotiate scope when necessary.
• Actively contributes to the organization's Lean-Agile culture and continuous improvement practices.
• Creates an environment of trust, accountability, and engagement, motivating teams to deliver on organizational purpose, priorities, and objectives.
• Maximizes efficiency and adaptability in a dynamic environment where processes continue to evolve.
• Generate creative, practical solutions to solve problems and improve delivery effectiveness and outcomes.
• Develops annual budget and staffing recommendations for incorporation into the overall division budget; identifies cost-saving opportunities and tracks and forecasts budget variances.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively with all levels of the organization, including Executives, Business Unit Leaders, Team Leaders, and Teammates-to influence outcomes, advocate for optimal customer experience, and support strategic objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by management.

We need someone who has:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 5+ years of experience as an Agile Product Owner or as an Agile Business Analyst in a product-facing capacity
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) and/or Scaled Agile Product Owner/Product Manager (PO/PM) certification preferred
• Experience in supervising exempt positions is preferred
• Experience in an environment that requires you to identify key problems and determine appropriate solutions, utilizing data, facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Experience in an environment where cross-functional collaboration is essential to accomplishing goals.
• Ability to adeptly deliver tough messages in a way that builds partnerships and inspires action. Develops and uses collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of multiple objectives.
• Exceptional leadership skills. Ability to build consensus across Business Unit Stakeholders through negotiation, facilitation, and implementation of change.
• Excellent communications and relationship building skills at all levels in the organization.
• Ability to achieve results through others is essential.
• Ability to develop and mentor team members to adhere to project parameters and deadlines.
• Skill in focusing on desired results, determining what is important and urgent, clarifying next steps, and delegating effectively to meet deadlines and achieve desired results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high attention to detail. Self-motivated/self-directed ability to identify and prioritize issues, then mobilize efforts to quickly resolve the issues
• Previous experience managing multiple project assignments and working with changing priorities.
• Ability to operate with a Kaizen mindset by continuously seeking to improve self, teams, and organization.
• Ability to manage and influence others without direct authority.
• Demonstrated responsibility and accountability for deliverables.
• Demonstrated change management skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal intervention from the manager.
• Ability to provide seamless, trustworthy, attentive and resourceful (S.T.A.R.) customer service.
• Ability to engage well with others and be passionate about providing an exemplary customer experience.

If you're ready to make an impact in your community, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today!

As part of WoodmenLife's employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (when required for position), fingerprint check (when required for position), drug screen and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.

WoodmenLife is welcoming to all regardless of background and beliefs. WoodmenLife respects every associate's unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an environment that values differences, and creates opportunities for growth, leadership and service. This commitment includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment and promotion, training and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities in which its employees live.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED.

Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an equal opportunity employer.