Information Technology Specialist 4 - IT Product Owner

Full Job Description

The Department of Management (DOM), Division of Information Technology is seeking an IT Product Owner to join our team!

In this role, you will lead the delivery and support of core enterprise IT services, including the statewide digital experience/public website platform.

As the primary point of accountability, you will manage the full product lifecycle—partnering with stakeholders, vendors, and technical teams to ensure solutions meet business needs, align with long-term IT goals, and drive continuous improvement.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact on digital transformation across the enterprise!

What You Will Do

• Oversee the Digital Experience website program, collaborating with the DX Steering Committee to prioritize and manage vendor delivery of enhancements and support.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for assigned IT products and enterprise digital services initiatives, ensuring successful delivery and alignment with business goals.
• Manage the full product lifecycle from planning to deployment and continuous improvement.
• Lead major enterprise-wide initiatives, guiding agency stakeholders through all phases of assigned activities.
• Develop and execute communication plans to keep stakeholders informed on progress, risks, and milestones.
• Coordinate and facilitate stakeholder training, including on-demand resources and live training sessions.
• Create and maintain product roadmaps and backlogs, prioritizing features based on business needs and user feedback.
• Manage product release planning, ensuring technical and business readiness for deployment.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and sprint reviews, to ensure clarity of priorities and deliverables.
• Gather and analyze constituent feedback to simplify systems and processes, ensuring ease of use and understanding.
• Monitor and report product performance metrics, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and IT governance frameworks.
• Manage vendor relationships, including performance monitoring, issue resolution, and adherence to service level agreements.
• Oversee product financials, including budgeting, cost estimates, and regular reporting to leadership.
• Lead cross-functional Fusion Teams, collaborating with IT leadership to allocate resources and ensure alignment across business and technical teams.

What We Are Seeking

• A strong understanding of innovative website management and digital experience solutions.
• Experience in IT product management and full product lifecycle oversight.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication skills for stakeholder engagement and training.
• Expertise in budgeting, vendor management, and compliance with governance standards.
• Strategic mindset focused on continuous improvement and risk management.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement savings options (RIC)
• Flexible Spending Accounts

Why Work with Us?

At the Iowa Department of Management (DOM), we help government agencies across the state perform at their best by managing financial resources, technology, and information.

Our mission is rooted in service—we provide efficient, innovative, and strategic solutions that empower agencies to fulfill their goals.

We’re guided by four core values:

• Integrity – We act with honesty and accountability.
• Teamwork – We collaborate to achieve shared success.
• Service – We are committed to excellence in public service.
• Partnership – We build strong relationships to drive results.

Working Arrangement

This position requires onsite work in Des Moines, IA each week. Employees meeting all expectations of their work responsibilities may request remote work and develop a hybrid/remote schedule collaboratively with their manager.

Please note, candidates for this position must reside in the state of Iowa at the time of starting the role.

Background Check Requirements

• After a conditional offer of employment has been made, and as the final step in the hiring process, candidates for this position will be subject to a background investigation, which may include but may not be limited to a verification of a candidate’s education, previous employment/work history, contact of personal references, motor vehicle records, and a criminal history check (including through Federal, State, or Local criminal justice agencies).
• Information gathered as part of such background investigation will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by Iowa Code section 22.7, 8B.4A, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations; provided that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, such information shall be available to candidates upon request.

E-Verify and Right to Work

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov

Qualifications

**Note: To pass the initial screening, applicants must demonstrate the technical skills listed below:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and experience equal to two years of full-time work: operating a multi-job computer; installing, operating and coordinating computer based networks; installing/maintaining database management systems; developing business application processes; developing/operating system programs; installing/maintaining personal computers, Local Area Networks and/or servers; managing operating systems; developing/ delivering information management training; providing Information Technology (IT) customer service; or designing/administering Internet sites;an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting the completion of an approved curriculum/specialized training program developed and implemented by or in cooperation with state government; or eighteen semester hours of accredited post high school course work in one of the specialty areas listed above; or certification by an authorized educational institution/major computer or software producer in an area directly related to one of the specialty areas listed above, for the required education;an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of the required experience for thirty semester hours of the required education;employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to six months of full-time work as an Information Technology Specialist 3.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.