Product Owner (Hybrid)

Jackson National Life Insurance Company - Chicago, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Chicago, IL

501-1,000 employees

Insurance Carriers and Related Activities

About the position

The Product Owner (PO) at Jackson National Asset Management (JNAM) is responsible for managing the product backlog and serving as a key member of the Agile team. This role involves setting, prioritizing, and evaluating the work generated by the delivery team while ensuring alignment with stakeholder visions. The PO will communicate the product strategy and vision, facilitate user story development, and manage product delivery, all while collaborating with various stakeholders to maintain a coordinated product roadmap.

Responsibilities

• Defines and communicates the strategy, vision, and minimum viable product (MVP) to all levels of the organization.
• Motivates the delivery team with a clear and compelling goal.
• Provides an active role in mitigating impediments impacting successful team completion of Release/Sprint Goals.
• Defines product vision, road-map and growth opportunities.
• Facilitates user story development from strategy and requirements, approves user stories for the delivery team and accepts completed stories and features.
• Plans and prioritizes a backlog and development for the product.
• Documents and clarifies user story acceptance criteria for the delivery team to implement.
• Analyzes market trends and current performance of product utilizing trend knowledge during vision and design sessions.
• Inspects product progress, accepts/rejects work done, solves product design concerns, and defines/prioritizes product backlogs and/or defects.
• Manages product delivery, including managing scope and priorities, monitoring service level agreements, responding to member feedback and resolving member escalations.
• Coordinates with other POs on other initiatives to optimize, align, and reduce the risk of redundancies.
• Works with key stakeholders across the organization to maintain a coordinated product road map and resetting priorities when needed.
• Acts as Voice of the Customer, a subject matter expert, and partner with external vendors within the scope of their product roadmap.
• Partners with Portfolio Owners to ensure project/product budget expenditures are in alignment including required actions if modifications are necessary.
• Collaborates/communicates with impacted business units and key stakeholders to reveal planned deliveries and incorporate feedback/needs identified.
• Owns and facilitates the development of content related to product deliveries, including training materials and procedural updates.
• Partners and collaborates on prioritization at the program level.
• Owns governance of the business rules specific to product, partnering with business unit owners and other contributors.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and/or equivalent experience required.
• 5+ years of depth and breadth experience in the Product Area preferred.
• 3+ years of Leadership experience in leading people or coordinating teams or environments required.
• Experience in coordinating teams or environments preferred.
• Previous experience working in an Agile environment preferred.
• Financial services experience preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Demonstrated leadership and organizational ability.
• Ability to manage, lead, and collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Strong quantitative, analytical, decision making, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written, verbal and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of financial services or insurance industry operations.

Benefits

• Fair pay and pay-for-performance
• Competitive benefits
• Talent development programs
• Diversity and Inclusion initiatives
• Emotional well-being support
• Financial wellness programs
• Charitable giving opportunities
• Financial education initiatives
• Associate volunteerism and giving opportunities