Director Agile Product Owner - Specialty Guidewire Functional Lead

Travelers • Hartford, AR

121d • $117,200 - $193,400

About The Position

Travelers is seeking a Director, Guidewire Agile Product Owner to join our organization 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 cross-functional team, focusing on achievement of defined outcomes versus defining how the work is completed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three years of Guidewire Policy Center experience.
• Two years of experience in Agile product management preferred.
• Two years of work experience within the discipline being supported (e.g.: Claim, Risk Control, Technology, Project Management, Production, Application Development, etc.) preferred.
• Three years of experience articulating and translating business strategy, product vision, and analysis for a product preferred.
• Three years of work experience in related field required.
• Three years of experience motivating/influencing teams required.

Nice To Haves

• Guidewire Knowledge: Comprehensive knowledge of Policy Center architecture including data model, business rules engine, rating routines, job framework, screens/PCFs, and integration capabilities.
• Guidewire Configuration & Development: Proficiency with Guidewire Studio, GOSU programming, entity relationship models, rule authoring tools, upgrade methodology, and version management.
• Guidewire Cloud & Platform Knowledge: Knowledge of Guidewire Cloud deployment, InsuranceSuite integration patterns, digital engagement platform, and Analytics capabilities.
• Agile Mindset: Embody Agile core values of openness, courage, respect, focus, and commitment.
• 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 at all levels 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.

Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise for Guidewire Business and Systems requirements workstream.
• Translate business requirements into technically feasible features by leveraging deep understanding of Guidewire Policy Center constraints, capabilities, and best practices.
• Guide solution design discussions with development teams to ensure proposed features align with Guidewire's out-of-the-box functionality and minimize costly customizations.
• Proactively identify technical dependencies and system limitations early in requirements gathering to prevent scope creep and delivery delays.
• Lead backlog prioritization by balancing business value with Guidewire implementation complexity, upgrade impact, and long-term maintainability.
• Facilitate cross-team collaboration by serving as the subject matter expert who can communicate both business intent and technical feasibility to stakeholders across Integration Gateway, Domain API, and UI teams.
• Define, prioritize and ensure a ready backlog of work for a cross-functional 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.
• Translate business strategies and needs into execution ready work for an Agile product team; define 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 anticipate and proactively seek 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, translate 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 key leaders and peers across to determine 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.
• May manage Agile Product Owners.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Employees and their eligible family members – including spouses, domestic partners, and children – are eligible for coverage from the first day of employment.
• Retirement: Travelers matches your 401(k) contributions dollar-for-dollar up to your first 5% of eligible pay, subject to an annual maximum.
• Paid Time Off: Start your career at Travelers with a minimum of 20 days Paid Time Off annually, plus nine paid company Holidays.
• Wellness Program: The Travelers wellness program is comprised of tools, discounts and resources that empower you to achieve your wellness goals and caregiving needs.
• Volunteer Encouragement: We have a deep commitment to the communities we serve and encourage our employees to get involved.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees