IT Product Owner
Location: IJsselstein (Utrecht area), Netherlands
Working Model: 4 days onsite per week
Experience: 3-5 years
Languages: Excellent English essential; Dutch desirable
About the Role
We are looking for a proactive and independent IT Product Owner to join our client's technology team in Utrecht.
This is a key opportunity for an experienced Product Owner to become the first dedicated Product Owner within the team, taking ownership of the product backlog and helping establish and develop the product management approach.
You will work closely with internal and external customers, development teams, testers and senior stakeholders across the Netherlands, Germany, UK and US. The successful candidate will combine strong Product Ownership skills with a good understanding of technology and software development environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Own, manage and continuously prioritise the product backlog
- Work proactively with internal and external customers to understand their needs, challenges and priorities
- Translate business and customer requirements into clear, actionable user stories and acceptance criteria
- Take a customer-focused approach while understanding the history, context and technical background of existing solutions
- Work closely with developers and technical teams throughout the product lifecycle
- Support the definition of testing requirements and ensure user stories are sufficiently clear and testable
- Collaborate with testers to ensure requirements and expected outcomes are understood
- Help shape and develop the product roadmap as the backlog and product requirements grow
- Work closely with infrastructure and development teams around existing and future technology solutions
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders across multiple countries and organisational levels, including C-level stakeholders
- Take ownership of priorities and decisions, operating confidently and independently
- Help establish and improve Product Owner processes within the organisation
Technical Environment
The successful candidate does not need to be a developer, but should have a strong technical understanding and be comfortable working closely with development and infrastructure teams.
Experience with some of the following would be advantageous:
- Microsoft Azure or another major cloud platform
- Back-end services and application development
- Software development environments
- Application and system migrations
- IT infrastructure and connectivity
- VPNs and related infrastructure technologies
- Visual Studio
- Software testing and test requirements
Azure experience is preferred, but candidates with strong experience across AWS, GCP or other cloud environments will also be considered.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Experienced as an IT Product Owner or Technical Product Owner, ideally with 3-5 years' experience
- Proactive and comfortable taking ownership without requiring significant direction
- Customer-focused and able to understand both internal and external customer requirements
- Technically curious, with a good understanding of software development and IT environments
- Comfortable discussing technical topics with developers, infrastructure teams and testers
- Able to translate complex requirements into clear and actionable user stories
- Confident working with senior and C-level stakeholders
- An excellent communicator who can work effectively across international teams
- Comfortable working across different cultures and geographical locations
- Highly organised and capable of prioritising competing requirements
Communication & Language Skills
Excellent English communication skills are essential.
The role involves regular interaction with stakeholders and teams across:
- Netherlands
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- United States
Dutch language skills are highly desirable, although the client is willing to be flexible for the right candidate.
Working Location
The role is based in IJsselstein (Utrechta area), Netherlands, with a requirement to work onsite four days per week.
Due to the onsite requirement, candidates should ideally have a commute of no more than approximately 60 minutes.
Interview Process
- First stage: Online interview via Teams
- Second stage: Onsite interview in Utrecht
Why Join?
This is an excellent opportunity for a Product Owner who wants genuine ownership and influence.
As the first Product Owner within the team, you will have the opportunity to establish the role, shape the backlog and product roadmap, work directly with customers and
Venquis is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.