Product Owner (6 Months Contract)

Business Capital Group; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 600,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services company in Johannesburg seeks an experienced Product Owner to lead product development in the banking sector. The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of experience and strong expertise in Agile methodologies and banking products. Responsibilities include managing the product backlog, collaborating with stakeholders for product alignment, and conducting market research. This role offers a dynamic work environment focused on innovative banking solutions.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5-10 years of experience as a Product Owner or similar role within banking or financial services.
• Proven experience with Agile methodologies and backlog management tools.
• Strong understanding of banking products and fintech trends.

Responsibilities

• Develop and articulate product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams for product launches.
• Manage the product backlog and prioritize features.
• Conduct market research and analyze customer insights.

Skills

Agile methodologies

Product development

Banking products knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science, or Engineering

Tools

Jira

Trello

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Product Owner to join our growing team in the Banking sector.

The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of banking products and services, alongside proven experience in product development and lifecycle management. As a Product Owner, you will work closely with stakeholders, including business leaders, development teams, and customers, to define and deliver innovative solutions that meet business objectives and customer needs. You will be responsible for managing the product backlog, setting priorities, and ensuring the successful execution of the product roadmap.

Key Responsibilities :

Product Strategy and Vision :

Develop and articulate the product vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with business goals and market trends.

• Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of banking products, from ideation to launch and iteration.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with business objectives and customer needs.

Stakeholder Collaboration :

Work closely with business stakeholders, including sales, marketing, operations, and compliance teams, to gather requirements and ensure product alignment with customer expectations.

• Translate business needs into clear and actionable user stories and functional requirements for the development teams.
• Prioritize features and improvements based on business value, customer feedback, and market opportunities.

Backlog Management :

Own and maintain the product backlog, ensuring it is well-defined, prioritized, and actionable.

• Continuously refine and prioritize the backlog based on changing business priorities and customer feedback.
• Work with Scrum Masters and development teams to ensure efficient sprint planning and execution.

Delivery and Execution :

Collaborate with engineering, design, and QA teams to ensure timely and high-quality product releases.

• Define acceptance criteria, track progress, and remove any blockers that may impact product delivery.
• Continuously monitor and evaluate product performance post-launch, and identify areas for improvement.

Market and Customer Insights :

Conduct market research, competitor analysis, and customer interviews to identify emerging trends and unmet needs in the banking industry.

• Use data and analytics to drive product decisions and measure product success (e.g., customer adoption, revenue, satisfaction).

Compliance and Risk Management :

Ensure product development complies with all regulatory requirements and banking standards.

• Work closely with legal, risk, and compliance teams to ensure all products adhere to regulatory frameworks such as GDPR, PSD2, and others.

Cross-Functional Leadership :

Act as the primary point of contact for all product-related questions within the organization.

• Mentor and guide junior product team members, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Qualifications :

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

Experience :

Minimum 5-10 years of experience as a Product Owner or similar role within the banking or financial services industry.

• Proven experience with Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and backlog management tools (Jira, Trello, etc.).
• Strong understanding of banking products, digital banking, and fintech trends (e.g., online banking, mobile apps, payments, lending, etc.).
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (engineering, marketing, compliance, etc.) to deliver product solutions.

Skills :

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn complex requirements into clear and actionable plans.
• Knowledge of banking regulations and industry standards (e.g., PSD2, GDPR, Anti-money laundering regulations).
• Ability to prioritize and manage competing demands in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.