Product Owner I (Finance)

USF Information Technology (USF IT) provides technology services and support for the University of South Florida. The IT team, led by the Vice President and CIO, provides the following services: Administrative Services, Client Support, Communication Services, Teaching and Learning, Analytics and Reporting, Mobile and Web Services, Consulting Services, Cybersecurity Service and Research Technologies.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will act as a Product Owner I on one or more project teams utilizing Scrum methodology and implementing Agile ideology. The Product Owner I serves as a bridge between the product development process, business stakeholders, and clients. The Product Owner's primary goal is to provide value for the business/customers and align the business needs with the overall business strategy. These responsibilities include meeting with stakeholders, developing and adapting product vision, writing user stories, prioritizing and grooming the backlog, release planning, etc. This position attends daily stand up, sprint planning, and retro. The ultimate goal of an Agile team is to understand business needs and develop optimal business and/or IT solutions in partnership with department stakeholders and functional experts.

ORGANIZATIONAL SUMMARY:

Located in the vibrant and diverse Tampa Bay region of Florida's gulf coast, the University of South Florida (USF) is a Preeminent State Research University with campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. Rated as one of the top places to live in the U.S., Tampa Bay offers a high quality of life, year-round sunshine, and easy access to top-rated entertainment. USF is one of the nation's largest public universities, serving more than 50,000 students with an annual budget of $1.8 billon. Over the past five years, USF has been the fastest-rising university in the nation, public or private, on the U.S. News and World Report's list of best universities, which it ranks as the 44th best public university in America. USF is proud to be an innovating partner within the Tampa Bay region, listed by Forbes as the top emerging tech city in the country.

USF Information Technology (USF IT) provides technology services and support for the University of South Florida. The IT team, led by the Vice President and CIO, provides the following services: Administrative Services, Client Support, Communication Services, Teaching and Learning, Analytics and Reporting, Mobile and Web Services, Consulting Services, Cybersecurity Service and Research Technologies. For more information, please visit: Information Technology | University of South Florida (usf.edu)

ADDITIONAL INFO FOR APPLICANTS:

The selected candidate must have current work authorization in the United States. This position is not eligible for Visa Sponsorship.

USF offers GREAT BENEFITS to full time employees!!

• Medical Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• Paid Vacation Days

• Paid Sick Days • 11 Paid Holidays • Various Retirement Options, including 401K employer match • Tuition Assistance (available for yourself, spouse, partner or dependent)

For more information about your total compensation package and other USF benefits, please visit: Work at USFBachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science or IT related field, OR four years of IT or Project Management experience, or a combination of relevant experience and education.Working at USF
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With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF's rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida's best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state's 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
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About USF
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The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF's Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu .
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Compliance and Federal Notices
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This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
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Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws :
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Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
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Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.

• Customer/Stakeholder Relations: Serves as a liaison between stakeholders and the Scrum team. Assesses client needs utilizing a structured requirements process (gathering, analyzing, documenting, and managing changes).Negotiate and mediate problems with stakeholders. Communicate the needs of all internal stakeholders and work with team to identify solutions based on the need of the audience. Create usage scenarios or use cases to help customers better identify key requirements. Acts as an advocate for business requirements and required results.
• Project Management and Product Backlog: Lead smaller programs or projects with moderately complex tasks in support of a project that requires a singular area of expertise. Define and organize objectives, responsibilities and priorities. Build, prioritize and refine the product backlog. Write and communicate well written User Stories and Acceptance Criteria for the implementation of client solutions. Document client operations under consideration for automation or process improvement and conducts process mapping. Assist in the business process redesign and documentation as needed for new technology. Identify non-functional requirements and key metrics necessary to measure project's success.
• Review/Testing: May act as a reviewer/tester for a project and User Acceptance testing writer. May create and validate prototypes.
• Agile Project Management: Understand and keep abreast of Scrum and other Agile methodologies. Work closely with the Scrum Master who is the owner of the Scrum process.