Product Owner - Remote (USA)

ICF; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 139,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF seeks an energetic Product Owner to support CMS IT initiatives, focusing on data collection, adjudication, and state Medicaid system modernization. You’ll drive a unified product strategy across exploratory workstreams, own the backlog, and translate research into actionable user stories for cross-functional teams.

With 5+ years in product roles, you’ll guide discovery, validate hypotheses with researchers, and lead agile delivery while communicating outcomes to leadership and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years of relevant experience, including 4+ years as Product Owner or Senior Business Analyst.
• 2+ years managing product backlogs and roadmaps in Agile environments.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance.
• U.S. residency with 3 of the last 5 years in the U.S.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a unified product strategy roadmap across multiple exploratory workstreams.
• Own and manage the product backlog, ensuring alignment with evolving research insights and priorities.
• Translate user research findings and goals into clear user stories and epics.
• Collaborate with researchers, data strategists to validate hypotheses and shape direction.
• Facilitate sprint planning, backlog grooming, and iterative delivery in a discovery-driven environment.
• Track cross-functional deliverables and identify risks with mitigation planning.
• Communicate product vision and progress to leadership and stakeholders with clarity.
• Ensure the team delivers value iteratively using Agile and SAFe practices.
• Engage with users to understand needs and validate solutions through feedback.

Skills

Product backlog

Agile methodologies

SAFe

User research

Roadmapping

Stakeholder mgmt

Cross-functional collab

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Description

ICF seeks an energetic and curious Product Owner to help ICF provide comprehensive IT support services to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the design, development, modernization, and implementation of systems that support data collection, adjudication, and oversight of state Medicaid programs.

The Role

This role is ideal for a strategic thinker with a strong foundation in user research and Agile product development. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to explore emerging opportunities, define product direction, and lay the groundwork for scalable, user-centered solutions. Salesforce development experience is preferred but not required.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a unified product strategy roadmap across multiple exploratory workstreams.
• Own and manage the product backlog, ensuring alignment with evolving research insights and strategic priorities.
• Translate user research findings, stakeholder input, and strategic goals into clear, actionable user stories and epics.
• Collaborate with user researchers, product and data strategists to validate hypotheses and shape product direction.
• Facilitate sprint planning, backlog grooming, and iterative delivery cycles in a dynamic, discovery-driven environment.
• Track and report on cross-functional team deliverables, identifying risks and supporting mitigation planning.
• Communicate product vision, progress, and insights to leadership, internal teams and external stakeholders and with clarity and impact.
• Ensure the product team delivers value iteratively using agile and SAFe practices.
• Engage with users to understand needs and validate solutions through feedback and metrics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience, including 4+ years as a Product Owner or Senior Business Analyst.
• 2+ years of experience managing product backlogs and roadmaps in Agile environments.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance.
• Must reside in the U.S. and have lived in the U.S. for 3 of the last 5 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the healthcare industry or with CMS projects.
• 4+ years of experience leading early-stage product discovery or research-driven initiatives.
• Familiarity with human-centered design and design thinking methodologies.
• Federal government contracting experience.
• Prior experience working remotely in a collaborative, distributed team.

Job Location

This position requires that the job be performed in the United States. If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections. Occasional travel may be required for workshops, conferences, or team collaboration.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$81,499.00 - $138,549.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)