Sr Product Owner

Apex Systems; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 103,320 - 110,387; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) program with company match

Professional development resources

Job summary

A leading IT services company is looking for a Sr. Product Owner to join their team in Chicago or Charlotte. This role requires daily onsite presence, effective collaboration with cross-functional teams, and a strong understanding of Agile methodologies. Responsibilities include managing the product backlog, translating business requirements into user stories, and ensuring stakeholder communication. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, proven experience in product management, and excellent problem-solving skills. Competitive pay and benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Software Product Owner or in a similar product management role.
• In‑depth understanding of Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define and prioritize product vision.
• Own and maintain the product backlog.
• Translate high‑level business requirements into actionable user stories.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field

Tools

JIRA

Confluence

Job description

Job Title

Sr. Product Owner

Location

Chicago IL / Charlotte NC (5 days onsite)

Duration

8 months

Payrate

$75.00 - 80.13/hr

Description

Only open in Charlotte, NC and Chicago, IL. This specific role is required to be fulfilled onsite 5 days a week.

Cyber Security Technology (CST) Context

The CST function within Global Information Security is responsible for innovation and architecture, engineering, solutions and capabilities development, deployment, maintenance, and support of information technology security controls. The CST team also manages program/project management teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including software developers, designers, quality assurance, and stakeholders to define, prioritize, and communicate product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
• Own and maintain the product backlog, ensuring it is well‑organized, up‑to‑date, and aligned with the overall product vision and business goals.
• Translate high‑level business requirements into clear and actionable user stories, ensuring that they contain well‑defined acceptance criteria and align with technical capabilities.
• Act as the primary point of contact between business stakeholders and the development team, ensuring that communication flows seamlessly and that stakeholder needs are effectively addressed.
• Regularly engage with stakeholders to gather feedback, capture user insights, and validate that the product is meeting their expectations.
• Make informed decisions on scope, priorities, and trade‑offs while considering factors such as project timelines, technical constraints, and market trends.
• Conduct sprint planning, backlog refinement, and sprint review sessions, collaborating with the development team to ensure a clear understanding of the work to be done.
• Provide guidance and support to the development team, clarifying requirements, resolving queries, and ensuring a shared understanding of the user stories.
• Continuously monitor project progress, track key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensure that the product is delivering the intended value to customers.
• Actively participate in retrospectives to identify areas for improvement within the development process and take actions to enhance team efficiency and effectiveness.
• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, leveraging this knowledge to identify opportunities for product enhancement and innovation.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, anticipating and addressing concerns, and ensuring a positive collaborative working environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Proven track record as a Software Product Owner or in a similar product management role in a software development environment.
• In‑depth understanding of Agile methodologies, particularly Scrum, and a strong track record of successful collaboration in Agile teams.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders effectively.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills to make informed decisions, prioritize effectively, and drive continuous improvement.
• Detail‑oriented mindset with a focus on delivering high‑quality software products and exceptional user experiences.
• Proficiency in using project management and collaboration tools, such as JIRA, Confluence, or similar.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification(s) related to Agile methodologies (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner) is a plus.
• Previous experience in cyber security, specifically vulnerability management or application security testing, is advantageous.
• Experience with Jira, Datawarehouse product with Oracle, Data Governance or Data Architecture is a strong asset.

EEO Statement

Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other characteristic protected by law. Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law. If you have visited our website in search of information on employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation in using our website for a search or application, please contact our Employee Services Department at [email protected] or 844‑463‑6178.

Benefits Overview

Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans. Employees may participate in an ESPP and a 401(k) program with a company match after 12 months. Additional benefits include a Health Savings Account, an Employee Assistance Program, corporate discount savings, and professional development resources such as certification prep and technical training.