Product Owner

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking an experienced Product Owner who will play a critical role in the product development process, responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog, working closely with stakeholders, and guiding the development team to deliver a successful product.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Create, maintain, and prioritize the product backlog, including user stories, features, and technical tasks and ensure that the backlog is groomed and ready for the development team.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including customers, business leaders, and development teams, to gather requirements, gather feedback, and ensure alignment with the product vision.
• Determine and communicate the priority of features and user stories based on business value and customer feedback.
• Write clear and detailed user stories, acceptance criteria, and functional specifications that provide guidance to the development team.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and QA testers, to ensure a smooth development process and timely product releases.
• Participate in release planning and sprint planning meetings, defining the scope of each sprint and ensuring that the development team has a clear understanding of the goals.
• Review and accept/reject completed user stories based on predefined acceptance criteria and quality standards.
• Continuously gather feedback from users, stakeholders, and team members to iterate on the product and make improvements.
• Identify and mitigate risks and issues that may impact product development and delivery.
• Maintain up-to-date product documentation, including user manuals, release notes, and product roadmaps.

REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field preferred.
• Proven experience as a Product Owner or experience in a similar role.
• Strong understanding of Agile and Scrum methodologies; experience with SAFe is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Customer-focused mindset with a deep understanding of user needs.
• Knowledge of project management and product development processes.
• Experience with product management tools (e.g., Azure DevOps).
• Technical background or understanding is a plus.
• Relevant industry certifications (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner) is a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to create and communicate clear requirements to a development team.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Must thrive in a collaborative work environment and be comfortable seeking input from other team members.
• Elections Management experience is a plus.