Product Owner I - Specialty Insurance

We are Farmers - where ambition meets opportunity.

At Farmers, we're not just known for unforgettable jingle - we're a team with a passion for purpose and making a real difference in people's lives. We deliver peace of mind when it matters most. Our results-driven, high-performance culture thrives on creativity, accountability and bold solutions. Here, growth isn't just a goal - it's a way of life for both the organization and every individual on our team. We tackle challenges head-on, learn from every experience and measure our impact on the customers who trust us.

Join an award-winning, equal opportunity employer, where you'll find more than a job - you'll find a supportive community. Enjoy competitive benefits, take part in meaningful volunteer projects, and help shape the future alongside talented colleagues across all backgrounds. At Farmers, helping others is at the heart of what we do.

Ready to make your mark? Discover our vibrant culture and explore career opportunities at www.Farmers.com/careers/corporate. Connect with us on Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and let's build something incredible together!

Workplace: Hybrid ( #LI-Hybrid )

Farmers believes in a culture of collaboration, creativity, and innovation, which thrives when we have the ability to work flexibly in a virtual setting as well as the opportunity to be together in person. Our hybrid work environment combines the best of both worlds with at least three (3) days in office and up to two (2) days virtual for employees who live within fifty (50) miles of a Farmers corporate office. Applicants beyond fifty (50) miles may still be considered. We are open to Product Owner I or II depending on experience.

Job Summary

Takes the lead in several areas of product development by following the principles of Agile to manage the team backlog, anticipate and prioritize needs, oversee development stages, act as a primary liaison and evaluate product progress. Serves as the customer proxy; works collaboratively with business owners and other stakeholders to accomplish these tasks. Utilizes basic understanding of the business vision and requires frequent support and direction from the Product Manager and/or Product Owner II or III.

Essential Job Functions

• Applies basic scientific practice within iterations in order to routinely plan, do, check and adjust.
• Manages team backlog items and prioritizes based on business value.
• Outlines dependencies and informs stakeholders the necessary sequence of development to ensure optimized performance and outcomes.
• Holds a significant role in quality control and is the primary team member empowered to accept stories as done.
• Utilizes basic business knowledge and communication skills to anticipate problems, address them accordingly while working cross functionally in a self-organizing manner to accomplish tasks and effectively manage the backlog.
• Effectively applies critical thinking to identify flexibility in determining how and when each iteration and product element will be developed.
• Acts as primary communicator and connection between stakeholders, end users and teams determining if each story meets their shared expectations.
• Ensures collaboration from all stakeholders on decisions and strategy providing clear instructions and deliverables for developers.
• Takes ownership for each stage of the process and final product to ensure the goal and vision are correctly aligned with the work items on the backlog.
• Provides ongoing refinement of team backlog, coordinates dependencies and manages the inspection and evaluation of product progress through each iteration.
• Participates in PO and/or ART sync meetings in addition to the system demo to show critical aspects of the solution Participates in Inspect & Adapt workshop to work across teams to define and implement improvement stories to increase program quality.
• A key member of the Agile team who utilizes perspective to define iteration goals and drives execution and delivery.
• Partners with the business owner to understand needs, manage scope and add/eliminate user stories.
• Communicates requirements to Agile Team in a clear and collaborative manner to determine new requirements, negotiate teams and dependencies.
• Regularly interacts closely with the Product Manager in order to discuss goals and vision of the business/value stream, actively gaining knowledge on the matter.
• Heavily involved in the Program Increment (PI) planning, story definition and assists team with story estimates and sequencing.
• Oversees the development of the product to include planning, refinement, review, and execution.
• Partners with stakeholders to identify and organize steps required for next iteration.
• Works to gain clarity on queries and participate in the demo of committed items.
• Participates in ceremonies within the team to coordinate efforts with team to refine the process, identify areas for improvement and support the execution of tasks.
• Continuously keeps the end-user needs in mind to ensure the solution meets expectations and the development delivers expected outcomes from the accepted stories.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Physical Environment

The following are standard requirements for all positions. When applicable, some positions may have additional requirements essential to a specific job. This position operates in an open office working environment which will include normal and customary distractions, noise, and interruptions. Sits or stands for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Occasionally reaches overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping. Occasionally moves, lifts, carries, and places objects and supplies weighing 0-10 pounds without assistance. Listens to, interprets, and differentiates auditory information (e.g. others speaking) at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Visually verifies and reads information. Visually locates material, resources and other objects. Ability to operate a computer for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate keyboard and other office equipment up to a full work shift.

Education Requirements

Bachelors degree preferred. SAFe Product Owner Certification (obtained within 180 days of hire) required.

Experience Requirements

One year experience in an Agile environment or 2+ years of experience in a project environment.

Insurance product experience preferred.

Special Skill Requirement

Possesses strong product knowledge. Possesses business and functional knowledge in the supported value stream. Demonstrated written communication skills. Ability to effectively write user stories and break down features into user stories. Strong verbal communication and listening skills. Excellent organizational skills. Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment. Develops and delivers effective presentations. Excellent collaboration and team building skills.

Benefits

• Farmers offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, qualifications and location.

o CA Only: $81,375 - $137,940

o CO & ME: $76,275 - $119,350

o HI/IL/MN/VT Only: $76,275 - $127,490

o MA Only: $76,275 - $127,490

• o MD & VA: $76,275 - $127,490

o DC/NJ/NY/OH Only: $76,275 - $137,940

o Albany County, NY/Cleveland, OH: $81,375 - $119,350

o WA Only: $80,168 - $144,875

• Bonus Opportunity (based on Company and Individual Performance)
• 401(k)
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Assistance
• For more information, review "What we offer" on https://www.farmers.com/careers/corporate/#offer

Job Location(s): R_US - United States

Anticipated application deadline: At Farmers, the recruitment process is designed to ensure that we find the best talent to join our team. As part of this process, we typically close open positions within 8 to 21 days after posting. If you are interested in any of our open positions, we encourage you to submit your application promptly.

Farmers will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in accordance with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance or other applicable law. Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1033, Farmers is prohibited from employing any individual who has been convicted of any criminal felony involving dishonesty or a breach of trust without prior written consent from the state Department of Insurance.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Farmers is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in any employer/employee relations based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, age, disability, marital status, military and veterans status, or any other basis protected by applicable discrimination laws.

Want to learn more about our culture & opportunities? Check out www.Farmers.com/careers/corporate and be sure to follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

Spokane, WA only: Residents who prefer not to provide their address click here to submit your resume via email: careers@farmers.com