Job Description

:

We are currently seeking a Product Owner to join our Oracle Technology and Data Solutions team.

The Product Owner is responsible for maximizing the value of the product or solution that results from the work of the agile squad. The role creates and reinforces a vision that focuses success on our members' needs, in line with First West's strategic goals. Working in agile ways, the Product Owner is the person responsible for managing the product backlog, including fully populating and prioritizing the backlog items, and provides visibility to the work that needs to be done next. This role is constantly aware of how end users are engaging with the product or solution and continually provides insight back to the squad to support the definition of delivery goals and priorities. Ongoing collaboration and communication with Centres of Expertise related to the work of the squad is essential.

As a Product Owner on the Oracle Technology & Data Solutions Squad you will be looked to for your expert knowledge on building, evolving, and sustaining enterprise data ecosystems. Your experience with enterprise data transformation initiatives and data systems implementation will be put to great use as you articulate a roadmap and vision for the enterprise data platform to the squad and broader business. Strong experience interacting and building rapport with key user groups and stakeholders is critical.

Here's what would be included as a part of your typical day * Establishing & Visualizing Vision: Defines the vision and goals for each iteration and works with the squad to refine user stories, features, and epics into a manageable and actionable backlog that is aligned to the highest value for end-users, contains three sprints/iterations of work that meets the squads definition of ready with clearly articulated acceptance criteria, and also contains an additional three sprints/iterations of work aligned to quarterly goals. Defines, aligns, and communicates a long-term view of the product/solution. Aligns product vision and roadmaps with organizational priorities and pod goals, ensuring connection to the squads persistent purpose. Regularly in contact with end users, supports squad engrained change management work to bring awareness of product changes to employees and members.

• Prioritization of End User Value: Defines and prioritizes user stories to ensure high value generation towards member needs that align with the product experience, vision, and priorities. Effectively prioritizes new feature and product development based on competitive analysis, industry trends, member feedback, and organizational vision.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engages with potential vendors and partners to explore opportunities to add additional member value to the overall product experience. Collaborates with other internal departments and Centres of Expertise for the successful roll out of product features on an ongoing basis. Collaborates with Pod Lead and other Product Owners to ensure alignment across related products & features, validating plans, aligning to member, program, and business goals. Integrates strategic guidance from internal divisional advisors and factors this into backlog prioritization.
• Road Mapping & Milestones: Creates roadmaps to support the vision and direction set out for the product and to provide clarity of the backlog to the squad and external stakeholders. Engages with end users both directly and indirectly to observe and understand end user needs. Scopes product milestones considering existing squad velocity and sustained development of the product.
• Squad Support: Provides direct support to the squad to ensure end user needs are properly understood and translated into actionable user stories that accurately capture the user's voice, platform, and product requirements as well as organizational or external requirements such as privacy and security.

Required Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• 2 years College, Trade or Tech School Diploma required
• Bachelor's Degree, Certified Agile product owner or similar designation preferred
• 4+ years working in a product leadership capacity in a technology or data environment with a preference toward FI/Fintech experience
• Oracle Cloud experience preferred
• Experience in an omnichannel environment preferred
• Demonstrated ability to think both strategically and tactically, looking for innovation
• Brings a high-energy, "can-do" passionate outlook to the job and can influence those around them
• Strong self-starter who can work in a collaborative team environment but isn't afraid to tell it like it is
• Strong relationship building, negotiation and leadership skills, ability to persuade and lead a squad of diverse stakeholders
• Deep understanding of industry trends and client needs, ability to create a value proposition for the client and the product vision, and apply critical thinking to effectively assess risks and opportunities
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with a high degree of comfort in speaking with senior leaders
• Experience with a variety of customer insight tools including qualitative research techniques, digital analytics, user testing
• Experience working in a complex product development environment with Agile methodologies
• Experience as a Product Owner with large scale end user experiences, strong skills of maintaining and prioritizing a product backlog
• Displays an understanding of risk and risk ownership by being able to demonstrate adherence to policies and procedures.

Why work for us?

We offer a total rewards package that recognizes the meaningful work you do to support our members and our communities, which includes:

• A competitive base salary plus performance-based incentive compensation
• Annual merit pay increases
• Flexible benefits as well as support for retirement benefits
• Vacation time, a flexible "Day4U" and the option to purchase up to five additional vacation days
• Other financial perks such as our Employee Banking Advantages which includes waived or reduced financial service fees, reduced rates on personal loans, mortgages and no-interest loans on lifestyle-related items that promote health, wellness, learning and business aptitude

In addition, you can enjoy socially conscious perks, like three paid days off every year, to volunteer for causes you care about.

What's your place in the First West story? Apply now and let's find out together!

First West regrets that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Diversity & Inclusion:

First West Credit Union is committed to diversity and inclusion. Our goal is to create an inclusive, accessible environment for our candidates and employees that reflects the communities in which operate. If you require an accommodation for the recruitment or interview process (including alternate formats of materials, accessible meeting rooms or other types of accommodation), please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

About Us:

If you believe in the same things we do, let's talk.

We're a financial cooperative that does things differently. That means we create innovative yet simple solutions to help people achieve their financial dreams and life goals. We make a difference by helping to build healthy communities. Our work environments will accelerate your personal and professional growth inspiring you to lead with courage. We strive to be an employer of choice in Canada, not just for what we do, but how we do it.

Exceed the limits of what you thought was possible and bring out your full potential. Inspire yourself with purpose and create new possibilities- for your future, for the lives of others and for the communities you're part of.