At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of our cloud-native data platform and manage product backlogs.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding Engineering team focused on innovative data solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25+ days leave, bonuses, and health benefits.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative journey shaping the future of data engineering.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Product Owner in a data-driven environment is essential.
- Other info: Ideal candidates should have knowledge of Azure technologies and Agile methodologies.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re on the lookout for a visionary Data Platform Product Owner to help lead the evolution of our cloud-native data platform and deliver real business value through data.
Who We Are
You’ll be joining our rapidly expanding Engineering team, collaborating with talented Data and Software professionals, and engaging closely with stakeholders across our Technology function and wider business. Your role is pivotal in driving innovative solutions forward and aligning with our ambitious change agenda. Together, you’ll help shape the organisation’s future by pushing boundaries and transforming ideas into reality. Join us on this journey of growth, creativity, and collaboration as we set new benchmarks in data engineering excellence. Your contribution is key to our shared success.
What Will You Be Doing
As Data Platform Product Owner, you will join a high-performing team responsible for accepting, prioritising, and managing all types of work within the Data Platform—including business projects, internal initiatives, change requests, and unplanned work. You will gather feature requests, agree sprint goals and objectives, and distil business value and goals into actionable roadmaps while refining the product backlog. Your primary responsibility is to ensure measurable business benefit and value are delivered effectively and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
- Vision & Strategy: Define and manage the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for the Data Platform, ensuring alignment with business goals and evolving data needs. Champion a product-centric, value-driven approach, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Backlog & Work Management: Own and prioritise the product backlog, ensuring efficient delivery of features, improvements, and technical enhancements. Manage and balance all types of work: business projects, internal projects, change requests, and unplanned work (e.g., incidents, technical debt, urgent fixes). Employ robust planning methods to ensure deployment is effective.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Communication: Lead stakeholder engagement, maintaining strong relationships across all levels to drive engagement and alignment in an agile environment. Gather and translate business requirements into clear, actionable technical requirements.
- Value Stream & Systems Thinking: Visualise and optimise the end-to-end value stream for the Data Platform, identifying and addressing bottlenecks. Apply systems thinking to ensure changes consider wider impacts.
- Metrics, Measurement & Reporting: Define, track, and report on success metrics including DORA metrics, data quality, adoption, user satisfaction, business value, and operational health. Use these metrics to drive continuous improvement.
- Data Governance & Compliance: Ensure adherence to data governance, privacy, and security standards, coordinating with compliance teams as needed.
- DevOps & Automation Collaboration: Work closely with DevOps and engineering teams to enhance automation, deployment, and reliability, supporting CI/CD practices.
- Continuous Improvement & Feedback: Evaluate and report on value post-delivery, gather user feedback, and support ongoing improvements.
- Leadership & Collaboration: Provide support and guidance within the Engineering department, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment.
What Do We Need From You
We’re looking for a technically proficient, strategic thinker with strong leadership and communication skills. Ideally, you’ll bring:
- Proven experience as a Product Owner or similar role within a data-driven environment.
- Strong knowledge of data architecture, platforms, and governance.
- Experience with Agile methodologies, managing product backlogs, and sprints.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex data needs into clear objectives.
- An analytical mindset focused on delivering business value through data solutions.
- A deep understanding of the data landscape to influence strategic roadmaps.
- Focus on service delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills across teams.
Key Technologies (awareness of)
- Azure Databricks, Data Factory, Storage, Key Vault
- Source control systems, such as Git
- dbt (Data Build Tool), SQL (Spark SQL), Python (PySpark)
Certifications (Ideal)
- SAFe POPM or Scrum PSP
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)
What’s in it for you
We value work/life balance and support hybrid and flexible working. Our benefits include:
- Annual discretionary bonus
- 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + increment with service (up to 30 days)
- Holiday trading scheme
- Matching pension contributions (up to 10%)
- Colleague mortgage scheme
- Salary sacrifice for hybrid & electric cars
- Training and development
- Private medical insurance
- Paid volunteering days
- Diverse colleague networks
- Health and wellbeing benefits
Product Owner - Data Platform employer: Skipton Building Society
Contact Detail:
Skipton Building Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner - Data Platform
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Agile methodologies, as this role heavily relies on managing product backlogs and sprints. Consider joining local Agile meetups or online forums to connect with other professionals and gain insights into best practices.
✨Tip Number 2
Enhance your understanding of data architecture and governance by exploring relevant online courses or certifications. This knowledge will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to the role during discussions with our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former Product Owners in data-driven environments. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide you with valuable insights and tips that could set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in data platforms, particularly those related to Azure services. Following industry blogs or attending webinars can help you speak knowledgeably about how these tools can drive business value.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner - Data Platform
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Product Owner - Data Platform position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with their needs.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven experience as a Product Owner or in similar roles, particularly within data-driven environments. Mention specific projects where you've successfully managed product backlogs and delivered business value.
Showcase Technical Proficiency: Demonstrate your knowledge of key technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Azure Databricks and SQL. Include any relevant certifications that showcase your technical skills and commitment to continuous improvement.
Engage Stakeholders: Illustrate your strong stakeholder management skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've effectively communicated complex data needs and translated them into actionable objectives in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Skipton Building Society
✨Understand the Product Vision
Before the interview, make sure you have a clear understanding of the company's product vision and strategy for the Data Platform. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to shaping that vision.
✨Showcase Your Agile Experience
Since the role requires managing product backlogs and sprints, be ready to share specific examples of your experience with Agile methodologies. Highlight any successful projects where you effectively prioritised tasks and delivered value.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement Questions
Expect questions about how you manage stakeholder relationships. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to gather requirements, translate them into actionable tasks, and maintain strong communication across teams.
✨Demonstrate Your Analytical Mindset
The role requires an analytical approach to delivering business value through data solutions. Be prepared to discuss how you've used metrics and data analysis in previous roles to drive continuous improvement and measure success.