At a Glance
- Tasks: Maximise value delivery by managing the team backlog and collaborating with Agile teams.
- Company: Dynamic tech company in Manchester with a focus on Agile methodologies.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be the voice of the customer and drive impactful projects in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in Agile frameworks, strong communication skills, and stakeholder management.
- Other info: Join a diverse team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Product Owner (PO) is responsible for maximizing the value delivered by Agile teams within a SAFe environment. Acting as the voice of the customer and business, the PO owns and prioritizes the team backlog, ensures alignment with Program Increment (PI) objectives, and works closely with stakeholders and Agile teams to deliver high-quality, value-driven increments. The role supports Agile ceremonies, enables transparency, manages dependencies and risks, and ensures delivery commitments are met within agreed scope, time, and quality.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Ownership & Value Delivery: Own and manage the Team Backlog, ensuring it is well-prioritized, refined, and aligned to Program and business objectives. Translate business and customer needs into clear user stories and acceptance criteria. Ensure delivered increments meet quality standards and business expectations. Own end-to-end delivery accountability for team commitments, ensuring scope, time, and quality objectives are achieved.
- Agile & SAFe Enablement: Actively participate in and support Agile ceremonies, including Sprint Planning, Reviews, Retrospectives, and Backlog Refinement. Support PI Planning and ART events, contributing to feature refinement, dependency identification, and commitment alignment. Ensure adherence to SAFe principles, Agile values, and Lean thinking across the team. Coach team members and stakeholders on Agile and SAFe practices to drive continuous improvement.
- Stakeholder Collaboration & Alignment: Collaborate closely with Product Management, Business Owners, System Architects, and other Product Owners to ensure alignment across the ART. Serve as the primary point of contact for stakeholders regarding scope, priorities, and delivery progress. Foster strong collaboration across teams, managing dependencies and shared deliverables effectively. Communicate progress, risks, and outcomes clearly and transparently.
- Risk, Dependency & Delivery Management: Proactively identify, manage, and escalate risks, impediments, and dependencies impacting delivery.
- Metrics & Tooling: Maintain accurate backlog and delivery data in Agile tools such as Jira or Rally. Use Agile metrics (velocity, predictability, backlog health) to support planning and decision-making. Ensure transparency of progress and outcomes at team and ART levels.
Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong knowledge and practical experience with the SAFe framework and Agile delivery.
- Proven ability to coach and collaborate with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
- Excellent facilitation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing delivery risks, dependencies, and competing priorities.
- Proficiency in Agile tools such as Jira, Rally, and Confluence.
- Strong problem-solving, conflict resolution, and decision-making capabilities.
Experience & Qualifications
- Hands-on experience working within an Agile Release Train (ART).
- SAFe certification preferred (e.g., SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager - POPM).
- Experience in large-scale or enterprise delivery environments is desirable.
Product Owner in Manchester employer: Square One Resources
Contact Detail:
Square One Resources Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Owner in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with online communities. The more people you know, the better your chances of hearing about job openings before they even hit the market.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to product ownership and Agile methodologies. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your experience and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies that highlight your previous work as a Product Owner. This can really set you apart from other candidates and give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications this way!
We think you need these skills to ace Product Owner in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Product Owner role. Highlight your experience with Agile methodologies and how you've maximised value in previous projects. We want to see how you can bring your unique skills to our team!
Showcase Your Agile Experience: Since this role is all about Agile and SAFe, don’t hold back on sharing your hands-on experience. Talk about specific Agile ceremonies you've led or participated in, and how you’ve managed backlogs and delivery commitments. We love seeing real examples!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Square One Resources
✨Know Your Agile Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Agile methodologies and the SAFe framework. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past roles, especially in managing backlogs and facilitating Agile ceremonies.
✨Speak the Language of Stakeholders
Prepare to articulate how you’ve collaborated with various stakeholders in previous positions. Use specific examples to demonstrate your ability to manage dependencies and communicate progress clearly, as this will show you understand the importance of alignment across teams.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of a few scenarios where you successfully identified and managed risks or impediments. Be ready to explain your thought process and the steps you took to resolve these issues, as this will highlight your proactive approach to delivery management.
✨Get Familiar with the Tools
If you have experience with Agile tools like Jira or Rally, be prepared to discuss how you’ve used them to maintain backlog health and track delivery metrics. This practical knowledge can set you apart from other candidates who may not be as tool-savvy.