Product Owner Job Description

Are you seeking to create a compelling job description for a Product Owner role within your company? This article aims to guide you in formulating a robust and accurate Product Owner job description that aligns with your needs.

Defining the Product Owner Job Description

Crafting a precise Product Owner job description can be challenging. An inaccurate description can lead to significant consequences, such as attracting unsuitable candidates or individuals who seek to exert undue control over the development team.

Before delving into the job description, remember that potential candidates will assess various factors before reaching out:

• Profile title
• Job description
• Salary / ADR (Annual Daily Rate)
• Company reputation, particularly regarding agility
• Location

Certain factors are contextually bound and cannot be altered.

Non-Modifiable Criteria

Location: The location of the role can be a decisive factor. For instance, a business located in a major city like Chicago is more likely to attract suitable profiles than one in the suburbs. Companies facing difficulty in staffing due to unfavorable locations despite offering higher salary/ADR rates should be aware of this challenge.

Agile Reputation: In the realm of agility, a company’s reputation holds weight as a selection criterion. Some companies might be automatically excluded by agile practitioners based on their reputation, though this is less pronounced for Product Owners compared to Scrum Masters.

Modifiable Criteria

Several criteria that differentiate your job description are within your control. It is essential to invest effort into refining these criteria, particularly if your company’s location or agile reputation is less than optimal.

Profile Title

For the role’s title, you have two options:

• Product Owner
• Product Owner / Product Manager

While some candidates might be drawn to the title “Product Manager,” it is crucial to align the tasks with the title. You can refer to this article to ensure clarity in job tasks when using the title “Product Manager.”

However, avoid using terms that could negatively impact your company’s image, such as:

• Project Owner Support
• Assistant to the Contracting Authority
• Project Sponsor Support
• Project Owner
• Contracting Authority
• Project Contractor

For specialized roles, clarity prevails. For example:

• Proxy Product Owner
• Business Analyst

Using the wrong title risks dissatisfaction among hires, so ensure alignment.

Job Description

Interestingly, written job descriptions for Product Owners are improving on professional networks. This could be due to agile coaches or experienced Product Owners contributing insights.

Experienced Product Owners prefer comprehensive and equitable job descriptions, although this is not the sole criterion.

For a comprehensive Product Owner job description, consider referring to the article on Product Owner Responsibilities. This reference can enhance your chances of attracting experienced candidates.

Avoid using expressions that contradict the role of a Product Owner, such as implying they will solely test the development team’s work or dictate tasks.

The description should authentically represent the role a future Product Owner will undertake. A mismatch between the description and reality can quickly demotivate a Product Owner, disrupting the team’s dynamics.

Final Recommendation: Competitive Salary

Remember, investing in a skilled Product Owner is crucial. Offering an appealing salary is vital for attracting and retaining top-tier talent.

Conclusion: Perfecting the Product Owner Job Description

By adhering to the insights shared in this article, you can craft a compelling Product Owner job description that resonates with your desired candidates. Implement these strategies to enhance your likelihood of attracting the right Product Owner for your team.

Should you have queries concerning the Product Owner job description or seek further guidance, feel free to inquire in the comments. Similarly, if you possess additional tips for creating an enticing Product Owner job description, please share them in the comments.

Useful Link: Product Owner (in French)