Product Owner

Product Owner

Responsible for the development of new products and extensions of existing products (from product initialization through launch and stabilization) for a product line or segment of smaller size and/or complexity. Establishes and monitors timelines and costs consistent with development methodology; uses agile methodology for completing work tasks, as required. Recommends and manages product development methodology (e.g. agile vs. waterfall). Creates and approves user stories / product features that satisfy customer needs; plans sprint activities and is responsible for managing the backlog of products / services. Collaborates with Product Managers and provides rapid response to questions that may arise during the development cycle. Leads cross-functional product development to support successful/timely releases. Oversees performance against success criteria, including customer perspective and UAT/OT. Leads the daily meetings, planning sessions and retrospectives. Acts as advocate for customer needs throughout the development process. Provides input into, clarify requirements and constraints to enable the solution design process. Balances product needs with enterprise needs (e.g., use of shared services in the product solution).

Collaborates with IT and other areas in ETS (and/or external parties) to define the development needs/requirements; identifies stages, and approach to development. Tracks and manages product development to ensure alignment with established product requirements and market / user feedback. Modifies/changes product features and requirements in response to new information on markets/customers from Product Managers. Ensures cross-functional and operational requirements are considered, agreed with the Product Managers, and addressed as part of the development effort. Market Engagement Establishes and maintains plan for user / market engagement in the development. Uses feedback from user engagement to adapt / modify requirements, features, prioritization of features, and product performance. Tests market receptivity to assumptions of product value and willingness to purchase.

Responsible for ensuring quality standards established for product are attained. Responsible for ensuring that product features are consistent with customer needs. Financial Management Sets and manages product development timelines and costs. Work with FCEs to ensure that cost estimates are validated and that FCEs operate within expected costs. Tracks and reports on the implications of development decisions for the P&L of the operational product, making the necessary business decisions to ensure the release of the MVP on time and on budget. Adheres to ethical standards and comply with the laws and regulations applicable to job function.

Ability to successfully translate business requirements into features / user stories. Ability to ensure that the vision for ‘how a product needs to perform for a customer’ is embodied in the design of the product, including for technical specifications. Strong market / customer orientation and skills in using multiple avenues and various scale to test market receptivity and willingness to purchase. Knowledge of multiple approaches to product development and how to execute on them. In-depth understanding of Agile methodology (tools, processes, roles). Ability to understand minimum viable product requirements and prioritize accordingly. Exhibits strong leadership, team-building, and communication skills. Possess solid management skills (e.g. ability to manager deadlines, prioritize assignment of tasks, identify issues and mitigate / manage risks). Possess strong digital acumen and understanding of digital technologies.

Undergraduate degree (or equivalent experience) in related fields such as: Business, Information Technology, Process Engineering or other areas combined with relevant work experience is required.

3-5 years of combined experience in a combination of project management, consulting, Agile development or information technology (project management alone is insufficient). Agile Product management experience or certification preferred.