Product Manager

Product Manager Recruiting Location US-IL-Chicago Department Information Technology Summary The Product Manager will play a dual role in guiding product vision while also facilitating Agile practices to support high-performing cross-functional teams. This strategic, hands-on leader will work closely with stakeholders to prioritize features and manage product backlogs, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. With expertise in Agile methodologies, this individual will also drive Scrum ceremonies, foster team collaboration, and streamline development workflows to deliver quality software solutions. Duties and Responsibilities Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and maintain a clear product vision and roadmap that aligns with organizational objectives. Translate business needs into actionable user stories with clear acceptance criteria, prioritizing backlog items based on value and impact. Lead Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives to support team efficiency and foster continuous improvement. Serve as the primary liaison between the business and development teams, ensuring clear and timely communication. Identify, communicate, and mitigate risks to keep the team aligned and projects on track. Foster a culture of transparency, ownership, and accountability within the Scrum team. Proactively monitor and optimize team performance by removing roadblocks, tracking progress, and reporting on key performance indicators. Facilitate story refinement sessions to clarify requirements, provide guidance, and ensure readiness for upcoming sprints. Collaborate with the Quality Assurance team to incorporate testing and validation within the Agile workflow. Utilize Agile tools and techniques to continuously improve processes and maintain up-to-date product documentation. Serve as an advocate for Agile practices within the organization, mentoring team members on Agile methodologies and Scrum best practices. Align product deliverables with strategic objectives through effective stakeholder management and feedback collection. Ensure product enhancements and features meet user needs by continuously gathering and integrating feedback. Develop and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, facilitating prioritization discussions and aligning team efforts with organizational goals. Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruitingsidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources). Education and/or Experience: Required: Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent professional experience. A minimum of 5 years of experience in Product Ownership, Agile project management, or a related field, with demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams. Strong understanding of Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, with proven experience in facilitating Scrum ceremonies. Ability to work closely with both technical and business stakeholders, translating requirements into actionable tasks. Proven track record of managing product backlogs and prioritizing features to deliver high-value outcomes. Familiarity with Agile project management tools, such as Jira, Azure DevOps, or similar. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a demonstrated ability to build consensus and drive collaboration. Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Preferred: Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or Certified Scrum Master (CSM). Experience in the professional services industry (e.g., legal, financial, accounting, consulting). Experience working with remote and distributed teams, managing stakeholders in diverse geographic locations. Other Skills and Abilities: The following will also be required of the successful candidate: Strong organizational skills. Strong attention to detail. Good judgment. Strong interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities. Ability to work effectively under pressure. Strong analytical skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others. Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion in all interactions. Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer