At a Glance
- Tasks: Translate business needs into actionable product requirements and manage the product backlog.
- Company: Join Arriva, a leading European transport partner with a strong sustainability agenda.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to work across various domains and teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by delivering valuable products that connect communities across Europe.
- Qualifications: Strong collaboration, communication, and decision-making skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating in 11 countries across the UK and Europe. The company employs around 35,000 people, delivering more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys connecting people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably.
The Product Owner is responsible for translating business needs and product vision into actionable requirements for delivery teams, ensuring that products deliver maximum value. This role maintains a prioritised backlog, provides clarity throughout the development process, and works closely with business units, support teams, IT business partners, and the Platforms team to validate technical feasibility and manage dependencies. The Product Owner acts as the bridge between business priorities and technical delivery, requiring strong collaboration, communication, and decision-making skills.
Each role holder will be assigned to one primary domain — Back Office, Operations, or Customer & Commercial — but this job description is intentionally generic to support recruitment across all three areas.
This role will either be based from our Sunderland or London office on a hybrid working basis with a requirement to be present in the office a minimum of 3 days per week, the rest where you can best deliver to your customers.
Product Vision & Backlog Management- Translate the product vision and business goals into actionable user stories and acceptance criteria.
- Own and maintain a prioritised product backlog that reflects business objectives and customer needs.
- Continuously refine backlog items based on stakeholder feedback, technical constraints, and changing priorities.
- Ensure backlog items are well-documented, estimated, and ready for development.
- Actively participate in sprint ceremonies, including planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, and retrospectives.
- Provide timely clarification and guidance to development teams to ensure successful delivery.
- Monitor sprint progress, identify risks or blockers early, and work with teams to resolve issues.
- Work closely with business units, support teams, IT business partners, and the Platforms team to validate technical requirements and manage dependencies.
- Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with platform standards.
- Support integration planning and testing activities to guarantee smooth deployment.
- Engage with key stakeholders across the different teams to gather feedback and prioritise features.
- Facilitate workshops and discussions to align on requirements and delivery expectations.
- Communicate progress, risks, and changes clearly to all stakeholders.
- Track product performance metrics and adoption rates post-launch.
- Use data-driven insights to inform backlog prioritisation and future enhancements.
- Ensure continuous improvement through iterative delivery and feedback loops.
Each Product Owner role will be aligned to one of the following domains. Allocation will be confirmed at the appointment:
- Back Office - HR, Payroll, Finance, Compliance, Risk, and Corporate Systems
- Operations - Operational planning, scheduling, fleet, asset, safety, control, and onboard systems
- Customer & Commercial - Customer experience platforms, ticketing and retail, CRM, revenue management, digital and marketing solutions
While the role is domain‐aligned, collaboration across domains is expected where initiatives overlap.
Key success criteria for this role are:
- A well-maintained and prioritised backlog aligned with business objectives.
- Backlog items refined, groomed, and linked to strategic goals.
- Features delivered on time and aligned with stakeholder expectations.
- Demonstrable improvement in engagement metrics.
- Decisions supported by analytics (e.g., user behaviour, adoption rates).
- KPIs tracked and reported consistently.
- Adoption of new features that enhance operational efficiency and stakeholder satisfaction.
The job description sets out the main duties and responsibilities of the job-holder. It does not constitute an exhaustive or comprehensive description of duties and the job holder will be required to carry out any additional tasks as and when requested to do so by their manager. Responsibilities and duties may also change in light of future business needs and personal development.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 3 June 2026. Arriva group reserves the right to close this vacancy early.
Product Owner employer: Arrivatc
Arriva is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have access to continuous development opportunities while working in a hybrid model from our Sunderland or London offices. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering sustainable transport solutions across Europe, where your contributions directly impact the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Arriva or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Product Owner role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to product ownership. Think about how you would translate business needs into actionable requirements and be ready to share examples from your past experiences.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your collaboration skills! During interviews, highlight times when you worked closely with cross-functional teams. This is key for a Product Owner, so make sure they see you as a team player.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Arriva team.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Product Owner role. We want to see how you can translate business needs into actionable requirements!
Showcase Your Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, emphasise your experience in collaboration and communication. Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your key achievements and experiences stand out without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arrivatc
✨Know Your Product Vision
Before the interview, make sure you understand the product vision and business goals of Arriva. Be ready to discuss how you would translate these into actionable user stories and maintain a prioritised backlog that reflects customer needs.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
As a Product Owner, you'll need to work closely with various teams. Prepare examples of past experiences where you've successfully collaborated with stakeholders or development teams to deliver projects. Highlight your communication and decision-making skills.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Brush up on the technical aspects relevant to the role, especially around validating technical requirements and managing dependencies. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure solutions are scalable and secure, aligning with platform standards.
✨Demonstrate Data-Driven Decision Making
Arriva values analytics in decision-making. Come equipped with examples of how you've used data to inform backlog prioritisation or improve product performance. This will show your ability to track KPIs and make informed decisions post-launch.
