Product Owner

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Kforce has a client in Aurora, CO that is seeking a Product Owner.

Summary:
The Product Owner is responsible for driving execution of the product backlog, ensuring development teams are focused on the highest-value work with clear, actionable requirements. This role translates product strategy into well-defined epics and user stories, enabling efficient, high-quality delivery.

Responsibilities:
* Own and manage the team-level backlog, keeping it prioritized, refined, and sprint-ready
* Translate product initiatives into epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria aligned to product outcomes
* Define and enforce Definition of Ready (DoR) and ensure quality before work enters a sprint
* Validate completed work against acceptance criteria and accept or reject deliverables
* Actively participate in Agile ceremonies (standups, backlog refinement, sprint planning, reviews, retros)
* Support the development team during sprints by clarifying requirements, removing blockers, and making timely scope decisions
* Provide transparency into delivery progress, risks, and dependencies, ensuring traceability from story to initiative
* Enforces Definition of Ready (DoR); ensures stories meet quality standards before entering a sprint and validates completed work against acceptance criteria
* Actively participates in Agile ceremonies (refinement, sprint planning, reviews, retros) and supports the team during sprints by clarifying requirements and making fast decisions
* Effectively converts Product Manager initiatives and goals into epics and stories that tie directly to measurable outcomes
* Owns the team-level backlog end-to-end; Keeps it groomed, prioritized, and sprint-ready at all times

REQUIREMENTS:
* Experience working as a Product Owner in Agile/Scrum environments
* Strong proficiency with Jira and Confluence
* Proven ability to break down complex initiatives into clear, actionable user stories
* Strong collaboration skills with engineering and delivery teams
* Highly organized, detail-oriented, and outcome-focused
* Highly proficient in Jira (and Confluence) and works closely with engineering teams on a daily basis
* Trusted partner who keeps delivery moving and removes friction
* Strong ability to break down initiatives into clear, actionable user stories with testable acceptance criteria; Minimizes ambiguity and rework for engineering
* Knows how to balance value, dependencies, and execution reality

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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