Manager, Product Owner (IT - Utility Sector)

Liberty•Oakville, ON

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Manager, Product Owner is accountable for defining, prioritizing, and delivering technology products that enable critical utility operations, regulatory compliance, and customer outcomes. This role bridges business and IT, ensuring products deliver measurable business value while adhering to governance, security, and regulatory requirements. The role combines product ownership, delivery leadership, and stakeholder management, with accountability for roadmap execution, backlog governance, and value realization.

Requirements

8–12+ years in IT, product management, or business systems delivery
Experience as a Product Owner or Product Manager in complex enterprise environments
Strong knowledge of utility operations (e.g., billing, asset management, grid systems, customer systems)
Experience working in regulated environments with compliance requirements (SOX, NERC, etc.)
Proven ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and competing priorities
Experience with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery models

Nice To Haves

Experience with SAP (IS-U, S/4), outage management, or asset management systems
Familiarity with data platforms, analytics, or digital customer channels
Knowledge of capital planning and regulatory business case processes

Responsibilities

Define and maintain product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap aligned to corporate priorities (e.g., grid modernization, customer experience, regulatory compliance)
Translate business objectives into clear product capabilities and outcomes
Prioritize initiatives based on value, risk, regulatory obligations, and operational impact
Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and data strategies
Own and govern the product backlog, ensuring it is prioritized, refined, and execution-ready
Define epics, features, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria
Partner with delivery teams (Agile/Hybrid) to drive timely, high-quality releases
Monitor delivery performance using KPIs (velocity, cycle time, defect rates, value delivered)
Act as the primary interface between business units (Operations, Customer, Finance, Regulatory) and IT
Facilitate cross-functional alignment and resolve competing priorities
Lead product governance forums, including steering committees and executive updates
Communicate product progress, risks, and outcomes in business terms
Define and track business outcomes and success metrics (e.g., cost reduction, reliability improvements, regulatory compliance)
Ensure benefits are realized and sustained post-implementation
Support capital vs. O&M tracking and business case validation
Continuously optimize product performance based on data and feedback
Ensure product delivery aligns with SOX/ITGC controls, cybersecurity standards, and regulatory requirements
Identify and mitigate delivery and operational risks
Embed controls and audit readiness into product design and delivery processes
Support regulatory filings, audits, and evidence documentation as required
Lead and develop a team of product owners/business analysts
Establish consistent product management practices, standards, and tooling
Coach teams on Agile, prioritization, and stakeholder management
Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus