Product Owner (Smart Meter) in Ipswich

Product Owner (Smart Meter) reports to the Smart Meter Manager within the Strategy, Regulation and Support Services directorate. The position is based in Ipswich, Crawley or London and is permanent. Salary is £75,000.00 with a 7.5% bonus and blended working (3 days in office, 2 days remote) after 6 months probation.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Reservist leave – 18 days full pay, 22 days unpaid
• Personal pension plan – employee contribution 4% or 5%, company 8% or 10%
• Tenancy loan deposit scheme, season ticket loan
• Tax‑efficient benefits: cycle to work, home & tech, green car leasing schemes
• Occupational health support
• Switched On – discount on retailer products
• Discounted gym membership
• Employee assistance programme

Job Purpose

Work with cross‑functional teams and external vendors to design the Smart Meter Benefits Realisation Programme. Translate business and customer requirements into product specifications and act as the primary contact between technical teams, customer services and subject matter experts.

Dimensions

• People – part of a 3‑5 member Smart Meter team, no line‑management responsibility
• Financial – manage the Smart Meter Programme budget and ensure benefit realisation
• Communication – clear verbal, written and presentational skills to convey risks and effects
• Stakeholders – regular engagement with senior management across IS and other business areas

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead technical and creative delivery of the programme using Agile and Scrum
• Operational approach: design and test new features to improve the Smart Meter Programme
• Strategic approach: horizon scanning to align features with company vision
• Manage the programme team and backlog; present priorities to business and senior partners

Nature and Scope

• Define and prioritise business and customer requirements, success criteria and main features
• Maintain the backlog of user stories and features, ensuring alignment with resources and constraints
• Run user tests and discovery to gather feedback and adjust features or sprints accordingly

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Agile and Scrum methodology
• Experience in the electrical industry, preferably at a UK DNO
• Experience with work‑management solutions, especially Monday.com
• Decision‑making skills to prioritise improvements
• Collaboration across all business levels to explain goals and priorities
• Customer focus – define requirements through product functionality
• Strong flexibility to adapt to priorities and market changes
• Prioritisation skills to balance features, resources and technical capabilities

Development

Training opportunities are available for those who lack some essential skills, qualifications or competencies, with the option to appoint at a lower grade until competencies are developed.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors must ensure health and safety for employees and others affected by the work. Employees should understand risks and apply controls. For roles at height or using fall arrest devices, upper weight limit is 116 kg.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal‑opportunity workplace.

Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Where applicable, this role is subject to safer recruitment processes and robust pre‑employment checks.