Product Owner

**Application closing date**: Wednesday, 18 December 2024 - 11:59pm, Canberra time

**Estimated start date**: Monday, 03 February 2025

**Location of work**: VIC

**Working arrangements**:Hybrid Work From Home arrangements available and flexible.

**Length of contract**: 19 months

**Contract extensions**: 3 x 12 months

**Security clearance**: Ability to obtain Baseline clearance

**Rates**: $130 - $160 per hour (inc. super)

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) Payday Super represents a transformative opportunity to modernize the Super Guarantee (SG) system, addressing the estimated $5.1 billion in unpaid SG annually and improving retirement incomes for millions of Australians. It introduces a core requirement for employers to make super contributions to funds within seven calendar days of payday, significantly accelerating current processes.

The implementation of Payday Super involves extensive collaboration across the SG ecosystem, including employers, digital service providers, gateways, clearing houses, super funds, and the ATO. Preparations include adapting systems, workflows, and compliance practices to meet the faster pace required by the new system. Legislative changes are being developed by Treasury, while the ATO and industry stakeholders work proactively to align with upcoming requirements.

Key to this transition is the ATO's enhanced capability to match Single Touch Payroll data with super contribution reports. This allows for proactive compliance monitoring and faster intervention when employers fail to meet obligations, ensuring more timely contributions for workers. Payday Super will drive significant operational and cultural shifts within the superannuation industry, requiring readiness for faster data processing and regulatory responses.

The ATO is seeking a skilled and motivated Product Owner to drive the successful implementation of the Payday Super initiative, a landmark reform modernizing the Super Guarantee (SG) system. As Product Owner, you will play a key role in defining and delivering the product vision, ensuring alignment with the program's goals of improving retirement outcomes for millions of Australians. This role involves working closely with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and leadership to prioritize and deliver solutions that meet the legislative, operational, and technological requirements of Payday Super. You will act as the bridge between stakeholders and the development team, ensuring the effective delivery of high-value features.

Key Responsibilities:

- Define and communicate the product vision, strategy, and roadmap to ensure alignment with Payday Super objectives.
- Act as the primary point of contact for stakeholders to translate business needs into actionable requirements.
- Create, refine, and prioritize the product backlog, ensuring it is well-organized and reflects program goals.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to define acceptance criteria and ensure clarity of user stories.
- Work closely with government agencies, superannuation funds, employers, and digital service providers to gather feedback and align product development with their needs.
- Facilitate stakeholder communication to manage expectations and ensure transparency.
- Collaborate with development teams during sprints, providing guidance and resolving questions to ensure alignment with requirements.
- Accept completed work based on defined acceptance criteria and ensure alignment with the product vision.
- Track product performance and success metrics, identifying areas for improvement and driving continuous value delivery.
- Use data insights to inform decisions and optimize product features.
- Ensure product deliverables meet legislative and compliance requirements related to Payday Super.
- Identify risks and work with stakeholders and teams to mitigate them effectively.

Skills and Experience:

- Proven experience as a Product Owner, Business Analyst, or similar role in large-scale projects.
- Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and product management principles.
- Exceptional ability to prioritize and manage competing stakeholder needs.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams to deliver complex solutions.
- Familiarity with superannuation systems, compliance requirements, or financial services industry.
- Experience in legislative or public-sector initiatives.
- Product Owner certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), SAFe Product Owner/Product Manager).

**HOW TO APPLY**

**NOTE**: You are not required to meet all the Key Responsibilities and Skills and Experience criteria. However, your level of achievement in these areas will determine the APS level and corresponding remuneration you qualify for.