Senior Technology Product Owner

We are looking for a Senior Technology Product Owner to maximize the value and business outcomes derived from one or more products. To ensure that the product backlog is created, analysed, refined, and clearly communicated to inform high-quality deliverables from agile teams. To ensure that the backlog is ordered in alignment with the strategic objectives and business goals and reflects the priorities of the roadmap’s strategic direction. To clearly communicate the value of what has been delivered and be able to analyze and measure the business impact.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead one or more product backlogs with a deep level of expertise for prioritizing features, managing complex dependencies, and handling stakeholders with competing demands. Use the backlog to execute on product strategy, innovation, and long-term vision.

• Provide a broad perspective and industry expertise to contribute to the product roadmap and ensure decisions are informed by market trends, user research, emerging technologies, and a deep understanding of how the roadmap contributes to strategic objectives.

• Drive innovative business strategy by collaborating with product managers, team managers, and senior leaders to translate strategic goals into backlog deliverables and cross-roadmap initiatives.

• Lead analysis of complex business needs into clear requirements by working closely with stakeholders and cross-functional team members at various organizational levels.

• Lead/coach/manage Agile delivery teams and stakeholders to identify opportunities for innovation, drive continuous improvement, and optimize the value delivered via the product backlog.

• Demonstrate persuasive and influential stakeholder management by addressing concerns and ensuring effective and proactive communication and collaboration across different departments.

• Proactively lead inter-team dependencies and ensure cross-functional initiatives successfully deliver the anticipated outcomes and benefits.

• Accountable for risk management across one or multiple backlogs, providing guidance and leadership to the team in identifying and assessing risks, developing risk mitigation strategies, and owning proactive communication to stakeholders.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Extensive experience of applying product owner or business analysis techniques in successful technology teams delivering enhancements to enterprise and/or more complex applications.

• Extensive experience and knowledge of both the technical landscape and the market context. Experience working effectively in globally distributed teams.

• Significant experience of working on Agile teams and driving methodology and practice within a formal framework (e.g., Scrum, Kanban).

• Significant experience of working with Lean methodologies and demonstrating a continuous improvement mindset.

• Demonstratable experience of developing relationships, proactively communicating and positively influencing key, strategic position holders across global locations and different functions.

• Ability to assess, measure, and verify a variety of ideas and strategies and synthesize into an actionable product roadmap.

• Broad, deep technical knowledge and experience with a passion for data engineering and the exploration of innovative technology.

If you have a disability and you need any support during the application process, please contact [email protected] All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

About Sage:

Sage is a global academic publisher of books, journals, and library resources with a growing range of technologies to enable discovery, access, and engagement. Believing that research and education are critical in shaping society, Sara Miller McCune founded Sage in 1965. Today, we are controlled by a group of trustees charged with maintaining our independence and mission indefinitely. 

Our guaranteed independence means we’re free to:

• Do more – supporting an equitable academic future, furthering disciplines that drive social change, and helping social and behavioural science make an impact
• Work together – building lasting relationships, championing diverse perspectives, and co-creating resources to transform teaching and learning

• Think long-term – experimenting, taking risks, and investing in new ideas

Overview of benefits:

• 25 days holiday excluding bank holidays full-time/pro-rated for part-time roles
• 2 additional ’floating days’ of personal leave, in recognition that each of us has cultural, religious, or family commitments that fall at times when the company is not closed.
• Life assurance
• Income protection
• Access to Sage books and journals
• Tuition scheme and support for pursuing professional qualifications
• Hybrid working arrangements - In office 20% of contracted hours. We work flexibly and most staff can choose to work from home for up to 80% of their contracted hours.

Other benefits, which may change include:

• Variety of snacks and beverages available in the office
• Home working allowance
• Travel insurance
• Healthy lifestyle reimbursement
• Access to the Company doctor
• Access to Company loans (season ticket loan, rental deposit loan, cycle loan)
• Anniversary trip

If you have a disability and need any support during the application process, please contact [email protected] We will respond to any requests for support in a timely manner. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

A cover letter is important to us but is not essential for your application.  It   offers the hiring manager valuable insights into how your skill set aligns with the role, what unique contributions you can bring to the team and why you are interested in this position. 

To ensure we can give each application the attention it deserves, we may consider bringing the closing date forward if we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to ensure it is considered.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At Sage we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team that is representative of all sections of society and to sustaining a culture that celebrates difference, encourages authenticity, and creates a deep sense of belonging. We welcome applications from all members of society irrespective of age, disability, sex or gender identity, sexual orientation, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief as creating value through diversity is what makes us strong.  As a business and as an organisation with an increasingly agile workforce, we're open to flexible working arrangements where appropriate.