Senior Product Owner

SENIOR PRODUCT OWNER

Department:
Operations & Delivery

Reports to:

Head of Product

WHO PLATFORM45 IS

We are responsible for code changing the lives of people around the world, every day. We solve complex problems and build big ideas. And we don’t stop. We believe in the ability of technology to make the world a better place; we’re driven to rip through conformity and create new solutions, and smarter habits. We know why we’re here: To unleash the potential of people through the power of technology. We are people multiplied by the power of tech and together we are changing the world.  

CONTEXT | THE ROLE

This is a role for an experienced and highly motivated Product Owner to work in our dynamic software services team. You will play a critical role in defining and prioritizing product features, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality software solutions. If you have a passion for driving product development, a strong understanding of Agile methodologies, and excellent communication skills. 

ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES | THE WHAT & THE HOW

The Essentials

Project Planning and Execution:

• Develop and implement comprehensive project plans, defining project scope, goals, timelines, and deliverables.
• Monitor and track project progress, identifying and resolving potential issues to ensure timely and successful project completion.
• All job requirements must be clarified and agreed upon before the start of development to avoid scope creep and ensure accurate planning. This includes finalized design that must be approved by the design team in with time for development to allow for adequate time for development, testing, and revisions.

Stakeholder Management:

• Ensure that the scope is clearly understood and documented and that stakeholders are aligned with the delivery expectations.
• Communicate the Platform45 Way of Work that the team has adopted and ensure that stakeholders are informed if there are any changes.
• Make sure that communication with stakeholders and clients is consistent and keeps any regulatory requirements such as POPIA or GDPR in mind. 
• Identify opportunities for future product growth with the relevant client.

Budget Management:

• Collaborate with the Project Director, and finance teams to manage budgets.
• Ensure efficient use of resources and adherence to financial constraints.

Daily Stand-ups:

• Ensure that the team is continuously working toward the sprint goal by reminding the team or making it visible.
• Note and raise with the Product Director any product or client-related items that the team might be blocked on and assist where necessary. 
• Address any items that may require a scope change or deviation from the planned work and where required, communicate the change with stakeholders.

Sprints:

• Share the sprint goal with the team and stakeholders.
• Ensure that there is a prioritised and refined product backlog ready for the upcoming sprint. 
• Prioritise items on the backlog in alignment with the product roadmap and client expectations. 
• Prepare a sprint goal and align with the team before starting the sprint.

• Keep the Product Roadmap updated with current status and future views of product priority.
• Maintain a strong line of communication with stakeholders throughout the sprint to make sure that expectations are managed.
• Work with the Scrum Master, where applicable, to address or assist with any process-related items identified, including the management of the work on the product roadmap and backlog.
• Spend time with users getting feedback, and collate any analytics or product data that will help to shape future development work in upcoming sprints.
• Take responsibility for sprint review and retrospective process. 

Backlog Refinement & Project Reporting:

• Prepare the product backlog with product backlog items (and meta-data) appropriate for the type of work to be done ensuring the required detail that meets the team's definition of ready. 

• Ensure that a standardized project report is published every week and distributed to relevant stakeholders, including the customer. 
• Keep the client informed of project progress by sharing weekly reports and attending regular updates and alignment meetings with them. 
• Ensure that the Manco team is kept up to date with any information impacting the delivery of the project as agreed. 

Mentorship: 

• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior/ less experienced product owners and team members to foster growth within the organisation.

Technical Elements 

• Product Strategy:
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to define and communicate the product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
  • Align product objectives with business goals and customer needs.
• Backlog Management:
  • Own and prioritise the product backlog, ensuring it reflects the strategic vision and provides value to the business.
  • Define and maintain user stories, acceptance criteria, and other backlog items.
• Feature Development:
  • Work closely with development teams to ensure a clear understanding of product requirements.
  • Provide guidance and clarification during the development process.
• User Story Creation:
  • Write and refine user stories with clear acceptance criteria to guide development efforts.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  • Collaborate with designers, developers, and QA teams to deliver high-quality software solutions.
  • Facilitate communication and ensure alignment between all stakeholders.
• Customer Feedback:
  • Gather and analyze customer feedback to inform product decisions.
  • Incorporate customer insights into the product roadmap and development process.
• Release Planning:
  • Contribute to release planning and coordination to ensure timely and successful product releases.
  • Communicate release details and updates to relevant stakeholders.
• Metrics and KPIs:
  • Define and track deliverables and key results to measure the success and impact of product features.
  • Use data-driven insights to iterate on product improvements.
• Market Research:
  • Stay informed about industry trends, competitor products, and emerging technologies.
  • Provide insights on market dynamics and contribute to product positioning.

Requirements:

• 7+ years of product management or product owner experience, with at least 2 years in a senior or leadership role.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• Experience with specific tools like Jira, Confluence, etc.
• Experience managing large-scale, complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and experience working in an Agile environment.
• Ability to understand and communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire cross-functional teams.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Familiarity with UX/UI design principles.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.