Product Owner

Who We Are:We are a specialized recruitment agency, placingITpeople, we represent leading tech companies in North AmericaWe're currently seeking a Senior Product Owner for a financial company in Downtown Philadelphia.Who You Are:You are a Senior Product Owner with at least 5 years of managing products in the financial industry. Your past work history is predominantly with start-ups and you enjoy the culture and fast pace of this type of environment.Must be legally able to work in the US (No Visa or sponsorship provided)This is a full-time role, no contracts will be considered.Role Overview:As a Senior Product Owner, you'll play a pivotal role in managing the products in a fast-paced environment. You have recent experience with:Prioritization and Decision-MakingThe ability to prioritize is crucial for managing the product backlog effectively, and balancing stakeholder needs, user demands, and technical feasibility. This involves making tough calls to determine which features or fixes bring the most value, ensuring the team focuses on what truly matters to the business and users.Communication and CollaborationProduct Owners constantly interact with developers, stakeholders, and users, translating product vision and strategy into actionable requirements. Clear communication fosters alignment and transparency, helping bridge any gaps between business needs and technical execution.Market and User-Centric ThinkingA strong understanding of the market and user needs enables a Product Owner to guide product development effectively. This involves staying informed on industry trends, competitor offerings, and customer feedback, allowing the Product Owner to prioritize features that deliver meaningful value and maintain the product's relevance.Primary Job ResponsibilitiesProduct Backlog ManagementCreate, prioritize, and maintain a product backlog with features and user stories.Collaborate with the Product Manager and development team to ensure backlog prioritization aligns with business goals, user needs, and technical feasibility.Product Vision & CommunicationWork with the Product Manager to communicate the product vision and goals to the development team and stakeholders through roadmaps, release plans, and other strategy materials.Stakeholder CollaborationRegularly interact with clients and subject matter experts to understand their requirements and integrate feedback, managing both internal and external expectations.Development Team CollaborationWork independently and with the development team to ensure clear understanding of product requirements.Provide guidance on the product vision and goals, responding to questions and assisting as needed.Agile ParticipationParticipate in Agile ceremonies (sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives) to maintain alignment with the team and the development process.Progress Tracking & ReportingMonitor product development progress and report key metrics, status of the product backlog, and release plans, adjusting priorities as necessary.Business and Functional Requirement DocumentationDocument and understand requirements as technology evolves and manage workflow and priority with stakeholders and technical leads.Industry KnowledgeKeep abreast of payment industry trends, maintain relationships with Payment Processors and other financial service providers, and provide insights on payment technologies.Experience and Skills RequiredIndustry KnowledgeMinimum of 4 years of experience in the financial industry, especially in payment gateways.Familiarity with tokenization, fraud management, and payment flows is advantageous.Technical SkillsExperience with Azure DevOps (ADO) for backlog management.Basic understanding of software development principles.Agile MethodologyProficient in Agile methodology, comfortable managing the product backlog in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.Leadership & CommunicationAbility to inspire and motivate teams, convey product vision, provide feedback, and manage conflicts effectively.Product Management SkillsDeep understanding of market research, product strategy, roadmapping, and customer validation.Analytical & Creative ThinkingStrong analytical skills to make data-driven decisions and identify KPIs.Creative mindset to solve problems and adapt product strategy as needed.Business AcumenUnderstanding of the competitive landscape and market trends, aiding in developing a product strategy aligned with business objectives.Educational BackgroundBachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or comparable industry experience.This position is designed for a detail-oriented and strategic individual who can bridge communication between business stakeholders and the development team while ensuring the product's alignment with market needs and business goals.