Product Owner

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc. (SGA, Inc.); Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc. (SGA, Inc.) is seeking a Product Owner for a contract role in Cincinnati, OH, focused on Wealth Management integration after a major national bank acquisition.

The candidate will lead cross-functional teams, own the backlog, and drive PI planning and Agile ceremonies in a complex enterprise environment. The ideal candidate has extensive SAFe experience, banking domain knowledge, and a proven record of delivering large-scale transformations with executive

Qualifications

• 7+ years of Product Owner/PM/BA/Agile delivery in large enterprises.
• 5+ years in financial services, banking, wealth management, or investment operations.
• Experience leading large-scale transformation, merger, acquisition, or integration.
• Deep Agile/SAFe expertise and PI planning support.
• Strong knowledge of Wealth Management products and processes.
• Proven ability to influence executive leadership.
• Excellent organization, prioritization and execution skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Product Owner for Wealth Management integration initiatives.
• Own and prioritize backlog; align with objectives, regulatory requirements, and milestones.
• Partner with business leaders, tech, operations, compliance, and executives to set priorities.
• Lead ART activities and participate in PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint planning, demos, retrospectives.
• Translate business needs into features, epics, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
• Drive delivery and remove obstacles to meet timelines and quality.
• Establish priorities and hold teams accountable for commitments.
• Manage multiple workstreams while focusing on strategic objectives and customer experience.
• Facilitate decision-making across stakeholders and escalate issues to maintain momentum.
• Coordinate business processes, data, tech, and operations integration.
• Measure progress with KPIs and executive reporting.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies early; drive Agile improvements.

Skills

Product Owner experience

Agile / SAFe

Stakeholder influence

Executive communication

Delivery leadership

Merger/acquisition integration

Cross-functional leadership

Banking domain knowledge

backlog management

PI Planning facilitation

Job description

Software Guidance & Assistance, Inc., (SGA), is searching for a Product Owner for a CONTRACT assignment with one of our premier Banking clients in Cincinnati, OH. Hybrid schedule

We are seeking a highly driven and execution-oriented Product Owner to join our Wealth Management division during a transformative period of growth and integration. This individual will play a critical role in leading product delivery and strategic initiatives as we integrate systems, processes, and capabilities following a major national bank acquisition.

The ideal candidate thrives in complex enterprise environments, possesses deep Agile/SAFe expertise, and has a proven track record of driving cross-functional teams to deliver results. This is a highly visible role requiring strong leadership, accountability, and the ability to bring structure and focus to teams operating through significant organizational change.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Product Owner for Wealth Management initiatives supporting the integration of two large banking organizations.
• Own and prioritize the product backlog, ensuring alignment with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and integration milestones.
• Partner closely with Wealth Management business leaders, technology teams, operations, compliance, and executive stakeholders to define and execute strategic priorities.
• Lead Agile Release Train (ART) activities and actively participate in PI Planning, backlog refinement, sprint planning, system demos, and retrospectives.
• Translate complex business needs into well-defined features, epics, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
• Drive delivery execution and remove obstacles that impede team performance or achievement of business outcomes.
• Establish clear priorities and hold delivery teams accountable for commitments, timelines, and quality expectations.
• Manage competing priorities across multiple workstreams while maintaining focus on strategic objectives and customer experience.
• Facilitate decision-making across diverse stakeholder groups and escalate issues appropriately to maintain momentum.
• Ensure successful coordination of business process, data, technology, and operational integration efforts.
• Measure and communicate progress through KPIs, program metrics, and executive-level reporting.
• Identify risks, dependencies, and gaps early and proactively develop mitigation strategies.
• Champion continuous improvement and Agile best practices across teams and stakeholders.

Required Skills

• 7+ years of Product Owner, Product Manager, Business Analyst, or related Agile delivery experience in large enterprise environments.
• 5+ years of experience within financial services, banking, wealth management, trust services, or investment operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale enterprise transformation, merger, acquisition, or integration initiatives.
• Deep expertise in Agile methodologies and SAFe frameworks, including experience supporting Agile Release Trains and Program Increment (PI) planning. Black Belt level
• Strong understanding of Wealth Management products, advisory services, trust operations, investment management, or private banking processes.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership.
• Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and execution skills with a reputation for "getting things done. "
• Demonstrated ability to manage ambiguity, drive accountability, and maintain momentum in highly complex environments.
• Experience working across business, technology, operations, risk, and compliance functions.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation, and conflict-resolution skills.

Preferred Skills

• SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager (POPM) Certification.
• SAFe Advanced Certification, SPC certification, or demonstrated deep SAFe expertise ( "SAFe Black Belt " level experience).
• Experience supporting Wealth Management platform conversions or core system integrations.
• Experience with trust accounting systems, portfolio management platforms, advisory platforms, or wealth technology ecosystems.
• Previous experience supporting bank mergers, acquisitions, and enterprise integrations.
• Strong knowledge of digital transformation, data migration, customer onboarding, and operational process redesign initiatives.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements impacting Wealth Management and fiduciary businesses.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed and matrixed teams.

SGA is a technology and resource solutions provider driven to stand out. We are a women-owned business. Our mission: to solve big IT problems with a more personal, boutique approach. Each year, we match consultants like you to more than 1,000 engagements. When we say let's work better together, we mean it. You'll join a diverse team built on these core values: customer service, employee development, and quality and integrity in everything we do. Be yourself, love what you do and find your passion at work. Please find us at https://sgainc.com/ .

SGA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Religion, National Origin, Disability, Veteran Status, Age, Marital Status, Pregnancy, Genetic Information, or Other Legally Protected Status. We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and our services, programs, and activities. Please visit our company EEO page to request an accommodation or assistance regarding our policy.