Product Owner

Job Description: Job Title: BPA/Product Owner

Location: US

Type: 12-Month Contract (with intent to hire full-time)

About Us:

DOES NOT ENGAGE DIRECTLY IN SOFTWARE PROGRAMMING.

• is seeking an experienced and self-driven Product Owner to join a newly created, high-visibility group within our larger organization. Operating with a startup mentality, this team is responsible for developing and delivering innovative internal tools and applications that enhance capabilities and drive the business forward. We are looking for someone to take ownership of products and solutions, guide their development through our software development process, and make a lasting impact on both the team and the company.
  
  

This role will require a strong ability to manage and guide the product lifecycle from MVP (minimal viable product) development to long-term vision while balancing the immediate needs of the business. The Product Owner will work closely with development teams and cross-functional stakeholders to ensure that business goals are met and that products deliver value quickly while maintaining future scalability.

The Product Owner will not be programming software/applications but work with our software development teams to champion their products and solutions from idea to launch & beyond.

Key Responsibilities:

• Full Product Ownership: Own the end-to-end lifecycle of internal tools and applications, from initial concept and MVP creation through to delivery and ongoing improvements.
• MVP Development: Champion the MVP methodology, knowing when a product is “good enough for now” while maintaining the long-term vision and minimizing rework.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Serve as the primary interface between internal customers, business stakeholders, and the development team to gather requirements, prioritize features, and align the product with business goals.
• Backlog Management: Maintain, prioritize, and refine the product backlog, ensuring it aligns with both customer needs and company objectives.
• Communication & Transparency: Provide clear communication to stakeholders, managing expectations and updating on progress, timelines, and challenges.
• Adaptability: Be ready to respond quickly to changing requirements or demands, maintaining a proactive attitude toward problem-solving.
• Process Improvement: Continuously seek opportunities to improve the development and delivery process for better outcomes.
  
  

Key Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience: 2 years as a Product Owner, Business Analyst, or similar role, preferably within a tech or software development environment.
• Project Ownership: Proven ability to independently drive projects from concept to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and meet quality standards.
• Agile Methodologies: Good understanding of Agile and Scrum frameworks, with hands-on experience managing backlogs and leading sprints.
• Communication: Strong communication skills with the ability to manage a variety of stakeholders, from technical teams to high-level business leaders.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals while maintaining high standards of quality and documentation.
• MVP Mindset: Understand and advocate for the importance of MVPs, ensuring the team delivers quick value without sacrificing future scalability.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a startup-like environment, with high visibility and fast-paced development cycles.
• Background in software development or a solid understanding of development practices (storyboarding, user stories, product UI/UX, etc.).
• Familiarity with software development methodologies and tools, such as Scrum and Kanban boards.
  
  

Soft Skills Critical for Success:

• Strong Communication & Collaboration: Ability to work with a diverse group of internal customers, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Adaptability & Learning: Willingness to quickly learn new skill sets and methodologies to tackle unexpected challenges.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive mindset and the ability to find creative solutions to roadblocks or technical issues.