Job Title: Product Owner
Location: Bethesda, MD (Hybrid)
Duration: 9 Months (Extension Likely)
We are seeking a seasoned Product Owner to lead and drive a high-impact mission-critical project. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on—bringing an entrepreneurial mindset, strong technical aptitude, and the ability to distill complex business goals into actionable roadmaps and refined product backlogs. This role requires a collaborative leader who thrives in a creative, fast-paced, and agile environment.
Lead product release planning and set expectations for new functionality delivery.
Develop and communicate a clear product vision and strategy aligned with organizational objectives.
Maintain alignment between stakeholders and teams regarding product goals and priorities.
Own the product backlog: create, prioritize, and refine user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
Serve as the primary liaison for stakeholder communication, feedback, and requirement gathering.
Work closely with development teams to clarify priorities and ensure shared understanding.
Participate actively in agile ceremonies: sprint planning, reviews, and retrospectives.
Make critical decisions on product scope and trade-offs based on business value.
Monitor product performance, drive continuous improvements, and adapt based on feedback.
Stay informed on market trends, competitor offerings, and industry innovations.
Maintain comprehensive and up-to-date product documentation.
Communicate progress, changes, and risks effectively to all stakeholders.
Ability to obtain or maintain a Public Trust Clearance.
Bachelor’s Degree and 8+ years of experience managing large-scale IT projects or programs.
Strong knowledge and application of Agile methodologies and product lifecycle management.
Proven experience balancing competing priorities under pressure.
Experience in systems engineering lifecycle, architectural frameworks, and solution delivery.
5+ years in an Agile environment, ideally as a Product Owner or similar role.
Agile certifications (e.g., CSM, A-CSM, CSP-SM) required.
Prior experience supporting Federal agencies such as FDA, NIH, HHS, or similar.
Certifications such as CSPO, A-CSPO, CSP-PO, or related Agile Product Owner/Developer credentials.
Familiarity with CMMI Level frameworks and quality assurance best practices.
Proficiency with Agile tools and platforms such as Jira, Confluence, Azure DevOps.
Experience with Microsoft technologies: Power Platform, M365, MS Teams, AVD.
Familiarity with tools like JAMF, Okta, and broader enterprise IT management systems.