Product Owner - Insurance

Nedbank; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Nedbank Insurance seeks a skilled Product Owner to lead delivery of complex insurance products in an Agile environment. You will define priorities, manage roadmaps, and ensure customer needs drive solutions, collaborating with senior stakeholders across business and technology.

The role requires strong business acumen, SAFe/Agile expertise, and a track record of driving value through product backlogs and releases within Nedbank Insurance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years' experience in Product Owner/Agile delivery roles.
• Experience engaging with multiple senior stakeholders across business and technology.
• Proven experience with Agile delivery frameworks, preferably SAFe.
• Experience in Insurance, Financial Services, or Banking is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Define and manage the product backlog in alignment with the Product Manager's vision and strategic objectives.
• Prioritise features, user stories, and enhancements based on business value, customer needs, and delivery readiness.
• Lead Program Increment (PI) Planning and support Agile Release Train (ART) planning activities.
• Drive successful delivery of product releases, enhancements, and upgrades within agreed timelines.
• Translate business requirements into clearly defined user stories, acceptance criteria, and product specifications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, technology teams, and Agile delivery teams.
• Advocate for customer-centric thinking and ensure the voice of the customer is incorporated into product delivery.
• Monitor iteration and release progress, proactively removing impediments and managing escalations where required.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, testers, and business stakeholders to ensure quality outcomes.
• Contribute to product vision, solution design, roadmaps, and growth opportunities.
• Facilitate Agile ceremonies, iteration reviews, and planning sessions.
• Influence and engage senior executives and stakeholders to ensure alignment and value delivery.
• Coach and mentor Product Owners and Agile team members while promoting Agile best practices.
• Contribute to the advancement of Product Owner practices and thought leadership across the organisation.

Skills

Agile delivery

Stakeholder engagement

Backlog management

SAFe knowledge

Education

Advanced Diploma / National 1st Degree

Job description

• Cluster: Personal and Private Banking | Nedbank Insurance | Strategic Projects Office
• Employment Equity Statement: Preference will be given to applicants from Underrepresented Groups

Job Purpose

At Nedbank Insurance, we are passionate about creating innovative, customer-centric insurance solutions that deliver meaningful value to our clients. We are looking for a highly skilled and driven Product Owner - Insurance to lead the delivery of complex, high-impact products within an Agile environment.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in defining product priorities, managing delivery roadmaps, driving stakeholder alignment, and ensuring that customer needs remain at the heart of every solution delivered. This role requires an individual with strong business acumen, Agile expertise, and the ability to collaborate effectively with senior stakeholders across business and technology.

Job Responsibilities

As the Product Owner, you will:

• Define and manage the product backlog in alignment with the Product Manager's vision and strategic objectives.
• Prioritise features, user stories, and enhancements based on business value, customer needs, and delivery readiness.
• Lead Program Increment (PI) Planning and support Agile Release Train (ART) planning activities.
• Drive successful delivery of product releases, enhancements, and upgrades within agreed timelines.
• Translate business requirements into clearly defined user stories, acceptance criteria, and product specifications.
• Serve as the primary liaison between business stakeholders, technology teams, and Agile delivery teams.
• Advocate for customer-centric thinking and ensure the voice of the customer is incorporated into product delivery.
• Monitor iteration and release progress, proactively removing impediments and managing escalations where required.
• Collaborate with architects, developers, testers, and business stakeholders to ensure quality outcomes.
• Contribute to product vision, solution design, roadmaps, and growth opportunities.
• Facilitate Agile ceremonies, iteration reviews, and planning sessions.
• Influence and engage senior executives and stakeholders to ensure alignment and value delivery.
• Coach and mentor Product Owners and Agile team members while promoting Agile best practices.
• Contribute to the advancement of Product Owner practices and thought leadership across the organisation.

People Specification

Essential Qualifications - NQF Level

• Advanced Diplomas/National 1st Degrees

Preferred Qualification

BCom, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Information Systems, or related qualification.

Essential Certifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP)Prince II

Preferred Certifications

• Certified Product Owner (CSPO or equivalent).
  
• Agile or SAFe Product Owner Certification.

Minimum Experience Level

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Product Owner, Product Management, Project Management, or related Agile delivery role.
• Experience engaging and influencing multiple senior stakeholders across business and technology environments.
• Proven experience working within Agile delivery frameworks, preferably SAFe.
• Track record of managing product roadmaps, backlogs, releases, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience within the Insurance, Financial Services, or Banking sector will be highly advantageous.

Why Join Us?

At Nedbank Insurance, you'll have the opportunity to shape innovative products that positively impact our customers while working alongside talented professionals in a collaborative Agile environment. We offer a culture that encourages growth, innovation, continuous learning, and meaningful career development.

If you are passionate about delivering value through Agile product management and want to influence the future of insurance solutions, we would love to hear from you.

Nedbank Ltd Reg No 1951/000009/06.
Authorised financial services and registered credit provider (NCRCP16).