Senior Product Owner

At Finastra, we’re a global leader in financial services software, dedicated to expanding access to financial services and shaping what’s next for the industry. Our technology powers mission‑critical solutions across Lending, Payments and Universal Banking, supporting over 7,000 customers, including 80% of the world’s top 50 banks, in more than 110 countries.

What will you contribute?

We are seeking an experienced Product Owner with strong expertise in Mass Payments, specifically across SEPA (SCT/SDD) and South Africa’s Authenticated Collections (AC / DebiCheck). The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of hands-on product ownership experience, deep understanding of payment processing flows, message standards (ISO 20022), mandate management, and clearing/settlement workflows across low‑value and immediate payment schemes.

The role involves driving payment modernization initiatives, managing backlog execution, defining product requirements, and collaborating with global engineering, QA, architecture, and customer-facing teams.

Responsibilities & Deliverables:
Own yearly regulatory updates and scheme-driven changes for Mass Payments, including SEPA rulebook releases and AC/DebiCheck scheme updates.

• Ensure compliance with ISO 20022 standards, SEPA implementation guidelines, and AC mandate requirements.

• Create high-quality product documentation including: Product Requirement Specification Documents (PRSDs) Functional Requirement Specification Documents (FRSDs) Interface Requirement Specification Documents (IRSDs) User stories and acceptance criteria

• Translate business and scheme requirements into clear functional and technical specifications for engineering teams.

• Conduct solution walkthroughs for customers, implementation partners, and internal teams (DEV/QA/Architecture).

• Understand customer change requests, validate impacts, and document detailed change requirement artifacts.

• Support customer onboarding and scheme certification cycles (SEPA test cycles, AC certification).

• Own and prioritize the product backlog for SEPA and Mass Payment features.

• Work closely with engineering to ensure on-time delivery of increments.

• Provide clarifications during sprints, validate delivered functionality, and ensure alignment with intended business outcomes.

• Support defect triage, analysis, and resolution during QA/UAT cycles.

Required Experience:

• [X] years of relevant financial services software experience (business analyst,  support, etc.)

• [X] years of Financial Industry experience.

• Experience working with project management software application analysis, design or implementation (knowledge of project management principles).

• Knowledge of how software is developed and deployed.

• Strong organizational, planning and project management skills with a history of successful execution of plans.

• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills needed.

• Possess strong problem-solving and decision making skills. Ability to work independently, apply judgment, maintain stable performance under stress and flexibility in an evolving work environment.

• Proven presentation skills.

We are proud to offer a range of incentives to our employees worldwide. These benefits are available to everyone, regardless of grade, and reflect the values we uphold:

·       Flexibility: Enjoy unlimited vacation, based on your location and business priorities. Hybrid working arrangements, and inclusive policies such as paid time off for voting, bereavement, and sick leave.

·       Well-being: Access Confidential one-on-one therapy through our Employee Assistance Program, find support from our network of Wellbeing Champions and Gather Groups, and a calendar of monthly events and initiatives designed to help you thrive - Inside and Outside of work.

·       Medical, life & disability insurance, retirement plan, lifestyle and other benefits*

·       Sustainability: Benefit from paid time off for volunteering and donation matching.

·       DEI: Participate in multiple DE&I groups for open involvement (e.g., Count Me In, Culture@Finastra, Proud@Finastra, Disabilities@Finastra, Women@Finastra).

·       Career Development: Access online learning and accredited courses through our Skills & Career Navigator tool.

·       Recognition: Be part of our global recognition program, Finastra Celebrates, and contribute to regular employee surveys to help shape Finastra and foster a culture where everyone is engaged and empowered to perform at their best.

*Specific benefits may vary by location.

At Finastra, each individual is unique, bringing their own ideas, thoughts, cultural beliefs, backgrounds, and experiences together. We learn from one another, embrace and celebrate our differences, and create an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves.

Be unique, be exceptional, and help us make a difference at Finastra!