Assignment: Product Manager - ORCA

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead product initiatives for ORCA, the regional transit fare payment system, from inception through completion, ensuring timely, cost-effective delivery within defined scope and budget.
• Develop and manage product roadmaps, clearly aligning product features with user needs, market trends, and strategic objectives.
• Facilitate regular multi-agency meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagements across seven Puget Sound transit agencies.
• Drive the product and business planning processes for cross-functional and intra-agency teams.
• Coordinate agile methodologies, including backlog prioritization, sprint planning, sprint reviews, and retrospectives using the Optimal Product Process as a framework.
• Manage vendor and consultant relationships, specifically overseeing the main fare collection system integrator.
• Conduct market analyses, user research, and competitor evaluations to inform continuous improvement of product offerings.
• Provide comprehensive documentation, training, and ongoing support to stakeholders and operational teams.
• Manages ORCA related projects from scope development through project closeout and handover to operations. Develop and execute detailed project plans to be shared with stakeholders, vendors, and other ROOT staff members, defining clear milestones and deliverables.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues, proactively communicating potential impacts and developing solutions.
• Ensures all projects are delivered on-time, within scope, and within budget while maintaining quality.
• Evaluate and optimize operational processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness of fare collection systems.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, status updates, and reports to leadership, stakeholders, and partner agencies.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards across all project activities.
• Collaborate with technical teams to translate business requirements into technical specifications clearly and effectively.
• Actively identify market trends, assess peer products, and integrate user feedback to continuously improve product offerings. They will play a pivotal role in aligning product strategies with business objectives, translating complex technical information into clear and actionable strategies for stakeholders across the organization.
• This assignment will also encompass traditional project management duties, including detailed project planning, scope management, resource allocation, schedule adherence, and risk management to successfully deliver projects within established timelines and budgets.
• Collaboration with multiple transit agencies across the region, specifically involving regular interaction and coordination with representatives from seven participating partner agencies.
• Oversight of vendor and consultant performance, ensuring effective implementation and delivery of payment solutions across diverse regional stakeholders.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Processes, procedures, and practices of product management, project management and business analysis.
• Strong knowledge of product lifecycle management, including roadmap creation, prioritization, and iterative enhancement.
• Proficiency in agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and associated tools (Jira, Confluence).
• Experience in defining product requirements, conducting user research, and translating user needs into clear product features.
• Expertise in data analysis, user experience (UX) principles, and using analytics to inform product strategy and improvements.
• Proficient in detailed project planning, including defining clear project scope, establishing timelines, and setting milestones.
• Experienced in tracking project deliverables, monitoring progress, and ensuring timely completion of project phases.
• Proficient in identifying project risks, developing mitigation strategies, and proactively resolving issues to ensure successful project delivery.
• Proven ability to effectively manage stakeholder communications and build consensus across multiple agencies and teams.
• Strong vendor management and negotiation skills, particularly involving technology vendors and system integrators.
• MS Office including SharePoint and experience of two years which must have been acquired within the past five years.
• Sound judgment and the ability to escalate issues when necessary.
• Strong experience managing and leading change within an organization.
• Strong facilitation skills including conflict management, issue resolution, brokering agreements, and removing roadblocks.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, and outside agencies.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Independent judgment, personal initiative, and resourcefulness.
• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills for various individuals ranging from Agency employees, consultants, contractors, the public, elected officials, community leaders, and local and state agencies.
• Presentation development and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of various payment systems, methods (credit/debit cards, digital wallets, ACH, etc.), and industry standards.
• Familiarity with public transportation systems, ticketing solutions, fare collection methods, and transportation regulations.
• Familiarity with payment processing technologies, APIs, encryption, and security protocols.
• Ability to analyze data and trends to make informed decisions and optimize payment processes.
• Familiarity in market and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and inform strategic product decisions.
• Familiarity developing prototypes or mock-ups to visualize and validate solutions.
• Knowledge of testing methodologies, test planning, and quality assurance practices.
• Knowledge of deployment processes to ensure smooth software release cycles.

Desired Certifications or Licenses:

• Product Manager Certification
• Project Manager Certification

Location: Downtown Seattle - Hybrid ( two days a week in the office)
Duration: Up to 11 months
Pay: $48.35 per hour