Strategic Education, Inc. (SEI) is a leading education services company focused on expanding access to high quality, flexible learning solutions that support academic and career advancement for learners worldwide.<br><br>The Product Owner (IT) plays a critical role within SEI’s technology organization, serving as the bridge between business needs, technology solutions, and user experience. This role is responsible for owning the product roadmap and prioritizing the backlog to ensure initiatives are aligned with strategic goals and deliver measurable business value.<br><br>Working closely with cross functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership, the Product Owner defines clear objectives for initiatives and sprints, translates business requirements into actionable work, and drives execution of the product vision. Through continuous collaboration and thoughtful prioritization, the Product Owner ensures the delivery of solutions that create meaningful, high quality user experiences.<p style="text-align:inherit"></p><p style="text-align:inherit"></p><div><h2>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</h2><p></p><h3>Product Vision & Strategy Alignment</h3><ul><li>Translate product vision and high‑level strategy into a clear, actionable product backlog.</li><li>Ensure backlog priorities align with business goals, customer needs, and technical considerations.</li><li>Collaborate closely with stakeholders to align sprint work with the long‑term product roadmap.</li></ul><h3>Backlog Ownership & Product Discovery</h3><ul><li>Own, maintain, and continually refine the product backlog, ensuring items are well‑defined, prioritized, and ready for delivery.</li><li>Write clear, concise user stories with well‑defined acceptance criteria.</li><li>Break down epics and complex features into manageable, sprint‑sized deliverables.</li><li>Drive product discovery in collaboration with team leads and stakeholders using techniques such as story mapping to define scope, sequence work into customer journeys, and determine launch readiness for rapid learning.</li></ul><h3>Sprint Execution & Delivery Support</h3><ul><li>Lead backlog refinement and actively participate in all Scrum ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand‑ups, reviews, and retrospectives.</li><li>Provide day‑to‑day guidance to developers and testers by clarifying requirements and resolving ambiguity.</li><li>Accept or reject completed stories based on defined acceptance criteria and quality standards.</li><li>Develop detailed feature requirements and collaborate with delivery teams on implementation planning.</li></ul><h3>Stakeholder Collaboration & Communication</h3><ul><li>Gather and synthesize input from internal stakeholders to ensure alignment, transparency, and shared understanding.</li><li>Communicate roadmap updates, sprint progress, risks, and trade‑offs clearly and proactively.</li></ul><h3>Quality & Risk Management</h3><ul><li>Ensure delivered features meet functional requirements, quality standards, and user expectations.</li><li>Identify risks, blockers, and dependencies early, partnering with cross‑functional teams to mitigate and resolve them efficiently.</li></ul><h3>Cross‑Functional Coordination</h3><ul><li>Lead and influence a cross‑functional delivery team of UX/UI designers, developers, and QA professionals without direct line management responsibility.</li><li>Partner closely with UX/UI teams to review and provide feedback on wireframes, prototypes, and user flows.</li><li>Collaborate with IT and architecture teams to assess technical feasibility, dependencies, and constraints.</li><li>Train and support internal stakeholders on newly released features and functionality.</li></ul><p></p><h2>Job Skills</h2><h3>Product & Business Skills</h3><ul><li>Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and value‑driven product delivery</li><li>Ability to assess value, develop use cases, and prioritize epics, themes, and stories aligned to product strategy</li><li>Expertise in discovery techniques and mapping exercises to identify optimal solutions</li><li>Ability to translate business objectives and user needs into actionable requirements</li><li>Familiarity with KPIs, metrics, and data‑driven decision‑making</li></ul><h3>Agile & Delivery Skills</h3><ul><li>Deep knowledge of Agile and Scrum principles, practices, and ceremonies</li><li>Ability to decompose large initiatives into incremental, value‑driven deliverables</li><li>Proven skills managing scope, dependencies, and iterative delivery</li></ul><h3>Technical & Analytical Skills</h3><ul><li>Foundational understanding of software development concepts (APIs, integrations, data flows, architecture)</li><li>Ability to engage in technical discussions and understand trade‑offs and solution constraints</li></ul><h3>Communication & Collaboration Skills</h3><ul><li>Excellent written and verbal communication skills</li><li>Ability to articulate complex concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences</li><li>Strong facilitation skills for backlog refinement, planning, and review sessions</li><li>Confidence in managing expectations and communicating risks, scope, and trade‑offs</li><li>Proven ability to build strong relationships across IT and business teams</li></ul><h3>Leadership & Ownership</h3><ul><li>Strong sense of ownership and accountability for outcomes</li><li>Ability to work autonomously with a high degree of initiative</li><li>Skilled at driving alignment across cross‑functional teams</li><li>Adept at navigating differing perspectives and resolving conflict constructively</li><li>Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, dynamic, and occasionally ambiguous environment</li></ul><h3>Customer & UX Skills</h3><ul><li>Working knowledge of UX principles and user journey mapping</li><li>Ability to interpret customer feedback and translate insights into action</li></ul><p></p><p><span>Work Experience</span></p><ul><li>5+ years of hands-on experience as a Product Owner or in a similar product‑focused role</li><li>Experience supporting high‑scale or enterprise‑level products preferred</li><li>Extensive experience writing user stories and defining acceptance criteria</li><li>Hands‑on experience grooming product backlogs and managing competing priorities</li><li>Experience collaborating with UX/UI designers on workflows, prototypes, and feature scoping</li></ul><p></p><h2>Education</h2><ul><li>Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required (or equivalent professional experience in IT or related fields)</li></ul><p></p><h2>Certifications (Preferred)</h2><ul><li>CSPO, PSPO, SAFe POPM, PMI‑ACP, or ICP‑APO certifications</li></ul></div><h2>Other:</h2><ul><li><p>Must be able to travel occasionally should a business need arise. For most roles travel would not be common. Travel may involve plane, car or metro. In accordance with ADA policies, reasonable accommodations regarding travel limitations can be provided. Travel will be more common for roles such as Account Executives (25 - 50%), senior leaders (10 – 20%) or Capella Core Faculty (5 – 10%). </p></li><li><p>Ability to work onsite in Corporate or Campus location (in a typical office environment) may be required based on role. If so, this would include being mobile within the office, including movement from floor-to-floor using elevators or stairs.</p></li><li><p>If offsite or hybrid role, must have access to work in setting which enables meeting all requirements of the role (including privacy, reliable internet access, phone, ability to video conference, etc.) at a remote location.</p></li><li><p>This role may require lifting, however reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with our ADA policies.</p></li><li><p>Must be able to meet critical thinking and problem solving aspects aligned to job duties, as well as effectively communicating with co-workers.</p></li><li><p>Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when business needs warrant. Accommodations related to schedule may be considered. </p></li><li><p>Able to access information using a computer.</p></li><li><p>Other essential functions and marginal job functions are subject to modification.</p></li></ul><p>#LI-JD1</p><p><br>SEI offers a comprehensive package of benefits to employees scheduled 30 hours or more per week. In addition to medical, dental, vision, life and disability plans, SEI employees may take advantage of well-being incentives, parental leave, paid time off, certain paid holidays, tax saving accounts (FSA, HSA), 401(k) retirement benefit, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, tuition assistance as well as entertainment and retail discounts. Non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay, if applicable.</p><p><a href="https://sei.strategiceducation.com/about/careers/our-benefits/default.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Careers - Our Benefits, Strategic Education, Inc</a></p><p><br>SEI is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture where individuals can grow their careers and contribute fully. We strive to attract talent with broad experiences, skills and perspectives. We welcome applications from all. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top end of the pay range at SEI, we offer a competitive salary.  The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate may vary depending on multiple factors including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay equity. Our Talent Acquisition Team is ready to discuss your interest in joining SEI. The expected salary range for this position is below.</p>$106,500.00 - $159,800.00 - Salary<p><br><i><span>If you require reasonable accommodations to complete our application process, please contact our Human Resources Department at <a href="mailto:Careers@strategiced.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span><span><span><span><span style="overflow-wrap: break-word; display: inline; text-decoration: inherit; hyphens: auto;">Careers@strategiced.com</span></span></span></span></span></a></span></i>.</p>