AI Product Owner

MCI Careers; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

MCI is seeking an AI Product Owner to drive AI-powered product delivery across the lifecycle. You will bridge business needs and technical teams, own backlogs, define user stories, and align initiatives with strategic objectives.

Join a fast-growing tech-enabled BPO with a global footprint. You will collaborate with AI engineers, product managers, and stakeholders, guiding requirements and ensuring value delivery through agile practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and experience with AI product development.
• Proven ability to translate business needs into technical requirements.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments and with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Own AI product backlogs, define user stories and acceptance criteria.
• Collaborate with AI engineers, product managers, and stakeholders throughout the lifecycle.
• Ensure AI initiatives align with strategic objectives and deliver customer value.
• Support sprint planning, prioritization, and continuous improvement.

Skills

AI product ownership

Backlog management

User stories & requirements

Agile delivery

Stakeholder management

Communication & presentation

Analytical thinking

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

MCI is one of the fastest-growing tech-enabled business services companies in the USA, with a strong call center footprint and operations that extend across multiple countries. We deliver Customer Experience (CX), Business Process Outsourcing (BPO), and Anything-as-a-Service (XaaS) cloud technology solutions across a wide range of industries, including healthcare, retail, government, education, telecom, technology e-commerce, and financial services. Our contact centers are powered by both on-site and remote agents, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance customer journeys, drive scalability and reduce costs.

At MCI we are committed to fostering an environment where professionals can build meaningful careers, access continuous learning and development opportunities and contribute to the success of a globally expanding, industry-leading organization.

We are seeking a highly motivated AI Product Owner to drive the delivery of AI-powered products and solutions. This role serves as the bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring AI initiatives align with strategic objectives while delivering meaningful value to customers and users.

The successful candidate will own product backlogs, define requirements, and work closely with AI engineers, product managers, and stakeholders throughout the product lifecycle.

To be considered for this role, you must complete a full application on our company careers page, including all screening questions and a brief pre-employment test.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Responsibilities:

Product Ownership & Backlog Management

• Manage product priorities and delivery outcomes.
• Own and maintain AI product backlogs.
• Define user stories, acceptance criteria, and priorities.
• Ensure development efforts align with business objectives.
• Support sprint planning and Agile delivery activities.

Requirements Gathering & Solution Design

• Translate business needs into actionable product requirements.
• Engage stakeholders to understand business challenges.
• Document functional and non-functional requirements.
• Collaborate with technical teams on solution design.
• Support product discovery and validation activities.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Facilitate communication across business and technology teams.
• Act as the primary liaison between stakeholders and delivery teams.
• Manage expectations and communicate priorities.
• Support decision-making and issue resolution.
• Facilitate workshops and requirement-gathering sessions.

Product Delivery & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure successful implementation and ongoing optimization.
• Monitor product performance and user adoption.
• Gather feedback and identify enhancement opportunities.
• Support product releases and rollout activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives.

AI Innovation & Business Value

• Support the effective adoption of AI technologies.
• Identify opportunities for AI-driven business improvements.
• Evaluate new features and capabilities.
• Contribute to AI product strategy discussions.
• Promote responsible AI practices within product development.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

WONDER IF YOU ARE A GOOD FIT FOR THIS POSITION?

All positive, and driven applicants are encouraged to apply. The Ideal candidates for this position are highly motivated and dedicated and should possess the below qualities:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Information Systems, Technology, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Minimum 4 years of experience as a Product Owner, Business Analyst, Product Manager, or similar role.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments.
• Strong understanding of product development methodologies.
• Experience managing backlogs and user stories.
• Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management and facilitation skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience working with technical delivery teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.

Nice to Have

• Experience supporting AI, machine learning, or automation initiatives.
• Product Owner certifications such as CSPO or PSPO.
• Experience working with Generative AI products.
• Familiarity with Agile scaling frameworks.
• Experience in SaaS or technology environments.
• Knowledge of AI governance principles.
• Exposure to AI product development lifecycles.
• Experience supporting enterprise digital transformation initiatives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be largely sedentary and will be required to sit/stand for long periods while using a computer and telephone headset. The employee will be regularly required to operate a computer and other office equipment, including a phone, copier, and printer. The employee may occasionally be required to move about the office to accomplish tasks; reach in any direction; raise or lower objects, move objects from place to place, hold onto objects, and move or exert force up to forty (40) pounds.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

All MCI Locations

• Must be authorized to work in the country where the job is based.

Subject to the program and location of the position

• Must be willing to submit up to a LEVEL II background and/or security investigation with a fingerprint. Job offers are contingent on background/security investigation results.
• Must be willing to submit to drug screening. Job offers are contingent on drug screening results. (Does not apply in Canada)

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of MCI and its affiliates to provide reasonable accommodations when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodations would cause undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment. If reasonable accommodations are needed, please contact Human Resources.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

At MCI and its subsidiaries, we embrace differences and believe diversity is a benefit to our employees, our company, our customers, and our community. All aspects of employment at MCI are based solely on a person's merit and qualifications. MCI maintains a work environment free from discrimination, one where employees are treated with dignity and respect. All employees share in the responsibility for fulfilling MCI's commitment to a diverse and equal opportunity work environment.

MCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. MCI will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with local and federal requirements.

MCI will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. We adhere to these principles in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, benefits, social and recreational programs, and discipline. In addition, it is the policy of MCI to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified employees who have protected disabilities to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances where an employee works.

ABOUT THE JOB

The purpose of the above job description is to provide potential candidates with a general overview of the role. It's not an all-inclusive list of the duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required for the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. You will be evaluated in part based upon your performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment, and either you or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason.