What are the responsibilities and job description for the Product Owner - Back Office Operations position at Smartwork IT Services?
Product Owner Operations & Controls Platform (Back Office Operations & Global Business Finance)
Location: NYC, NY Onsite - FTE
Position Overview
We are looking for an experienced Product Owner to lead the strategy, roadmap, and execution
for platforms supporting Back Office Operations and Global Business Finance. The ideal candidate brings strong product management experience combined with deep knowledge of financial operations, operational controls, and controller
functions.
This role will partner closely with business stakeholders, engineering, and operations teams
to modernize back-office platforms and improve operational efficiency. While familiarity with AI is important, the primary focus is on delivering business value through well-designed operational systems rather than building AI solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the product vision, roadmap, and prioritization for Operations & Controls platforms.
- Lead product discovery by understanding business problems, operational workflows, and stakeholder requirements.
- Partner with Back Office Operations, Controllers, Finance, and Technology teams to improve operational processes.
- Drive modernization initiatives across reconciliation, financial controls, exception management,
workflow automation, and operational reporting. - Build and manage the product backlog, define user stories, and prioritize features based on business value.
- Coordinate delivery across engineering, architecture, and business stakeholders.
- Track milestones, dependencies, risks, and delivery progress.
- Promote transparency and effective stakeholder communication throughout the product lifecycle.
- Identify practical opportunities where AI and automation tools can improve productivity,
decision-making, and operational efficiency. - Ensure solutions meet governance, audit, and operational control requirements.
Required Qualifications - 7 years of experience as a Product Owner, Product Manager, or Senior Business Analyst within Financial Services.
- Strong experience supporting Back Office Operations, Controllers, Finance Operations, Treasury, or Investment Operations.
- Experience with cash reconciliation, position reconciliation, operational controls, controller
workflows, or financial close processes. - Experience building or enhancing corporate back-office platforms and operational systems.
- Strong understanding of operational risk, controls, reconciliation processes, and governance.
- Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Proven ability to manage product roadmaps, planning, prioritization, and execution.
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Familiarity with AI tools
(e.g., Chat GPT, Copilot, Gemini) and understanding of where AI can improve
operational workflows. Hands-on AI solution development is not required.
Ability to work effectively with engineering teams and understand modern software delivery practices.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience with platforms such as Geneva, Arcesium, Investran, Kyriba, or similar fund accounting and operations systems.
- Experience working with fund administrators or investment operations teams.
- Background in treasury, controller organizations, finance transformation, or operations transformation.
- Experience with Agile product delivery.
- Exposure to workflow automation, cloud platforms, or modern enterprise applications.