Job Title: Application Product Owner (Salesforce)

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Application Product Owner to lead the strategy, development, and delivery of enterprise applications, with a primary focus on the Salesforce platform. This role serves as the key liaison between business stakeholders and technical teams, ensuring alignment of product vision with organizational goals, customer needs, and state IT requirements.

The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in Agile methodologies, backlog management, stakeholder engagement, and product lifecycle management, while driving continuous improvement and high-quality product delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Product Strategy & Vision

• Define and communicate a clear product vision and roadmap aligned with business objectives and customer needs
• Develop and maintain a product roadmap outlining priorities, dependencies, and release timelines
• Continuously evaluate product performance and recommend enhancements

Backlog Management & Prioritization

• Own and manage the product backlog, ensuring it is well-defined, prioritized, and aligned with business value
• Conduct regular backlog grooming sessions with stakeholders and development teams
• Ensure backlog items are accurately tracked and maintained in tools such as Azure DevOps

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Act as the primary liaison between business leaders, program staff, and development teams
• Facilitate discussions to gather requirements, feedback, and ensure alignment on product goals
• Communicate product updates, risks, and progress effectively to stakeholders

Requirements & User Story Development

• Elicit, analyze, and document business and functional requirements
• Write clear, concise user stories, use cases, and acceptance criteria
• Ensure all requirements are reviewed, approved, and updated throughout the product lifecycle

Agile & Scrum Leadership

• Participate in and facilitate Agile ceremonies, including:
  • Sprint planning
  • Daily stand-ups
  • Backlog refinement
• Support the team in understanding priorities and removing impediments
• Serve as a Scrum Master when required

Release & Delivery Management

• Participate in product releases, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery
• Develop and maintain release plans and iteration schedules
• Monitor progress and adjust plans based on sprint outcomes

Business Process Analysis & Optimization

• Collaborate with program leaders to analyze and optimize business processes
• Identify opportunities for automation and system enhancements
• Ensure solutions address underlying business needs effectively

Vendor & Contract Management

• Support preparation and review of RFPs, contracts, and vendor deliverables
• Collaborate with vendors to ensure alignment with product goals
• Facilitate updates and amendments throughout the contract lifecycle

Documentation & Governance

• Ensure comprehensive documentation of:
  • Business rules
  • Functional specifications
  • System requirements
• Maintain up-to-date documentation throughout development and maintenance phases

Communication & Team Collaboration

• Facilitate effective meetings with clear agendas and documented outcomes
• Promote collaboration and teamwork across all stakeholders
• Communicate risks, delays, and issues proactively
• Share knowledge and continuous improvement ideas with the team

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Product Owner, Product Manager, or Business Analyst
• Strong expertise in Agile/Scrum methodologies
• Experience managing product backlogs and roadmaps
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements and user stories
• Experience with Salesforce applications (preferred)
• Familiarity with tools like Azure DevOps, Jira, or similar

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with government or large enterprise systems
• Knowledge of Salesforce platform capabilities and integrations
• Experience in vendor management and RFP processes
• Scrum Master or Agile certifications (e.g., CSM, SAFe, PSM)

Key Competencies

• Leadership & collaboration
• Analytical thinking & problem-solving
• Strong communication (written & verbal)
• Stakeholder engagement
• Process improvement mindset