Team Lead / Product Owner

Travelers is seeking a Team Lead / Product Owner to lead a team to deliver capabilities/solutions in an agile way. In this position, you will act as a voice of the end-user to guide day-to-day work of a smaller scale team, focusing on achievement of defined outcomes versus defining how the work is completed.

This position may be based 100% remotely or in one of our offices.

Primary Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Define, prioritize and ensure a ready backlog of work for a smaller scale product team, accept final product output, focusing on achievement of defined outcomes versus defining how the work is completed.
• Effectively manage a backlog of deliverables and capabilities as well as ‘test and learn’/experimentation targeted at defining/refining future deliverables, measuring performance and adjusting the overall roadmap of deliverables as needed.
• Understand and implement team goals and strategy, ensuring alignment with circle and value stream vision; Articulate team goals and strategy effectively to key stakeholders, Circle Leads and team members.
• Act as voice of the end-user; have a deep understanding of and respond to customer feedback ensuring needs and requirements are clearly defined; ensure team work product meets defined acceptance criteria.
• Own team backlog, including prioritization and refinement; Make trade-off decisions to maximize value.
• Optimize the flow of value by setting objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) for solutions.
• Inform and participate in business readiness; understand the impact of change, implement the approach to manage adoption and mitigate resistance.
• Provide feedback on work-in-progress, clarify requirements and contribute to removing roadblocks or impediments; Look for opportunities for continuous team and process improvement.
• Partner with Circle Leads and peers to effectively communicate resources required to achieve defined business outcomes.
• Share best practices across teams to ensure alignment and consistency in ways of working within a value stream.
• Foster an innovative, inclusive and diverse team environment, promoting positive team culture, encouraging collaboration and self-organization.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of work experience in related field required.

Education, Work Experience, & Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in Agile product management preferred.

Job Specific Technical Skills & Competencies

• Agile Mindset: Embody Agile core values of openness, courage, respect, focus, and commitment. Infuse Agile principles, practices and methodologies to achieve team success.
• Product Mindset: Focus on defining a product value proposition that aligns with and supports the circle/value stream objectives and which is the north star for the team
• Influence: Ability to influence behaviors of leaders and without traditional hierarchy.
• Servant Leadership: Foster an environment where individuals thrive as empowered and equal members of a team.
• Communication: Ability to communicate thoughts, concepts, practices effectively at all levels, adjusting as needed to a target audience
• Collaboration: Expertise working with others in a cross-functional multi-team environment.
• Continuous Improvement: Demonstrate a commitment to continually improve, share learning with others and encourage team development.