Product Owner

We are seeking experienced Product Owners to join a major transformation programme shaping the future of a global Payments Operations function.

As part of a multi-year transformation, you will help replace a legacy payments platform with a new core payments engine and redefine operational ways of working across Payments Processing, Payment Investigations, and Sanctions & Name Screening.

This is not a traditional Scrum Product Owner role focused solely on backlog management. We are looking for consultative Product Owners who can work with senior stakeholders to challenge existing operating models, shape future capabilities, and define strategic product roadmaps. You will ensure the products you own deliver meaningful operational improvements while supporting a broader Target Operating Model (TOM) transformation.

If you naturally ask, “Why do we do it this way?” and enjoy influencing change across complex operational environments, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

You will own one or more operational products supporting the Payments Operations estate and drive their strategic evolution.

Working closely with Operations, Technology, Architecture, and Change teams, you will define product direction, prioritize investment, and ensure solutions support both immediate business needs and the organization’s long-term transformation agenda.

You will also collaborate with Business Analysts leading operating model redesigns, ensuring product strategy and operational change remain aligned.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the product roadmap for operational payment capabilities.
• Define and communicate a clear product vision aligned to the wider transformation strategy.
• Partner with Operations, Technology, and Change teams to deliver business value.
• Challenge existing processes and identify opportunities to simplify and modernize operational workflows.
• Translate business priorities into product outcomes and delivery roadmaps.
• Prioritize features and capabilities based on customer, operational, and regulatory needs.
• Work closely with engineering teams delivering the new core payments platform.
• Ensure products support future Target Operating Models and operational readiness.
• Influence senior stakeholders across Product, Operations, and Technology.
• Drive adoption of automation, AI, and digital capabilities where appropriate.
• Balance strategic product development with ongoing BAU and regulatory priorities.

We are looking for Product Owners who think beyond user stories and sprint planning. The strongest candidates will have experience acting as strategic partners to the business, helping shape future operating models and influencing how operational products evolve over time.

Ideal Experience

• Owning products within complex Payments or Financial Services environments.
• Defining product strategy and long-term roadmaps.
• Supporting large-scale operational transformation programmes.
• Working alongside Business Analysts delivering Target Operating Model (TOM) initiatives.
• Challenging existing ways of working and driving continuous improvement.
• Working closely with engineering teams delivering enterprise platforms.
• Managing senior stakeholder relationships across Operations, Technology, and Product.
• Making commercial and strategic prioritisation decisions.

Domain Experience

We are looking for Product Owners with experience across one or more of the following operational domains:

Payments Processing

Experience supporting end-to-end payment processing operations, with an understanding of payment lifecycles, operational workflows, Straight Through Processing (STP), automation, and the transition towards 24/7, follow-the-sun operating models.

Payment Investigations

Experience working with products supporting payment investigations, exception handling, and operational case management, helping improve efficiency across complex operational workflows.

Sanctions & Name Screening

Experience supporting Financial Crime products relating to sanctions screening, name screening, alert management, or operational compliance workflows.

Essential Experience

• Product Ownership within Financial Services.
• Strong Payments Operations knowledge.
• Experience working on enterprise transformation programmes.
• Product roadmap ownership.
• Agile product delivery.
• Operational process improvement.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams across Product, Technology, and Operations.

Desirable Experience

• Core payments platform transformation.
• Target Operating Model (TOM) programmes.
• AI or Intelligent Automation initiatives.
• Workflow redesign.
• Global operating models across the UK, India, and Eastern Europe.

Success in this role is not measured by the number of features delivered; it is measured by the operational outcomes achieved.

You will help build products that enable simpler, smarter, and more scalable ways of working, ensuring Payments Operations is fit for the future while supporting delivery of a modern core payments platform.