Associate Director, Product Owner

Job Posting Organization:
The organization is a prominent institution in the United Kingdom, focusing on technology and innovation within the banking sector. It aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations through the integration of advanced technology solutions. Established to support economic development and foster sustainable growth, the organization operates in multiple countries, providing a wide range of financial services and products. It employs a diverse workforce dedicated to delivering high-quality services and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders across various sectors.

Job Overview:
The Associate Director, Product Owner is a pivotal leadership role within the organization, specifically within the Information Technology division. This position requires a strategic mindset and a deep understanding of business, system, and technical perspectives. The Product Owner will work closely with the Associate Director and Capability Lead to ensure that project delivery is aligned with the organization's vision, strategy, and budget. The role involves defining high-level priorities and representing a diverse range of stakeholders and users. The Product Owner is accountable for shaping the vision and roadmap for their respective Capability area, ensuring that the teams deliver in accordance with the established priorities. Depending on the scale of the project, the Product Owner may oversee a small team of product owners or operate as a Squad specific Product Owner within the capability teams. This role is essential for driving value-focused delivery and fostering a user-first mindset across the organization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Associate Director, Product Owner will be responsible for several key accountabilities, including:

• Defining and maintaining the overall vision for their Capability area.
• Creating and obtaining approval for Business Cases and Value on Investment reports.
• Managing Business Relationship Management for the Capability.
• Setting priorities across various domains within the Capability.
• Championing a User First and Value First mindset.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to produce and own a portfolio roadmap that aligns with the overall technology roadmap.
• Communicating and promoting the roadmap within scrum teams and relevant business areas.
• Coordinating and prioritizing high-level backlogs.
• Presenting and justifying release value to stakeholders. 1
• Ensuring uncompromised product quality standards. 1
• Defining and communicating release acceptance criteria. 1
• Mentoring and developing a team of Product Owners. 1
• Coordinating vision and backlogs with other department Capability areas. 1
• Supporting development teams in meeting objectives and resolving priority conflicts. 1
• Monitoring user group needs and ensuring product adoption. 1
• Acting as an agent of change and promoting continuous improvement. 1
• Building strong internal networks and relationships to facilitate change. 1
• Adhering to best practices and processes to integrate products into the organization’s technology and business services. 1
• Coaching and mentoring teams in Agile delivery practices. 2
• Creating a culture of quality and user-centricity. 2
• Educating stakeholders on the value of Scrum and Agile principles. 2
• Managing staff engagement and performance, including recruitment and development. 2
• Upholding the organization’s Behavioral Competencies and Corporate Behaviours.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a relevant degree or equivalent experience. A solid background in Scrum and managing product and release backlogs using JIRA or similar tools is essential. Experience in relevant business domain areas and operational processes is required, along with analytical skills to measure release value objectively. A good understanding of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is necessary, as well as experience in a product-based environment that aligns with programme/project governance. Familiarity with enterprise/business architecture is important, as is experience in agile product ownership approaches and techniques. Candidates should demonstrate strong solution-orientation, problem-solving skills, and a structured approach to delivery. Excellent oral and written presentation skills are required, as well as strong stakeholder management abilities and the capacity to influence and collaborate effectively across departments.

Educational Background:
A relevant degree in a field related to technology, business, or project management is required. Equivalent experience in a similar role may also be considered. Continuous professional development in Agile methodologies and product ownership is advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have substantial experience in product ownership, particularly within an Agile framework. Experience in project and programme management, as well as change management, is essential. A proven track record of working in a product-based environment and managing product backlogs is necessary. Familiarity with the banking or financial services sector is a plus, as is experience in technology enablement.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with strong oral and written communication skills. Additional languages may be beneficial but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a fixed-term contract lasting three years. It is a full-time role based in London, United Kingdom. The organization is committed to recruiting both nationally and internationally, and candidates should be aware that internal applicants can only apply after completing their probation period. Due to the high volume of applications, detailed feedback will not be provided to candidates who are not shortlisted.