FLM/Product Owner: Systems Control

Who are we?

Sanlam Life and Savings (SLS) is focused on serving our retail and corporate clients in South Africa and further developing our strategic advantages in the South African market. Sanlam Life and Savings consists of three clusters - Sanlam Corporate, Sanlam Retail Mass and Sanlam Retail Affluent. The Sanlam Life and Savings Office provides strategic direction, coordination and support to the three clusters, as well as performing governance oversight that includes assurance provided by second line of defense functions in SLS, to enable us to meet our business objectives.

Business Description

The Product Owner (PO)/ First Line Manager (FLM) is a member of the Squad, responsible for prioritizing the Backlog to streamline the execution of program priorities while maintaining the conceptual and technical integrity of the Features or components for the team. The PO has a significant role in maximizing the value produced by the team and ensuring stories meet the user’s needs and comply with the Definition of Done.
The PO/FLM works with business owners, insurance product actuaries, release train engineers, squad members, business consultants, users, project managers, architects, and other team members to define non-functional requirements.

What will you do?

Preparation and participation in PI planning

• As a member of the extended product management team, the PO is heavily involved in backlog refinement, preparation for PI planning and plays a significant role in the planning event itself along with the squad.
• Prior to PI planning the PO has primary responsibility for building, editing, and maintaining the squad’s backlog. Backlog items are prioritised based on user value, time and other team dependencies determined in the PI planning meeting.
• Together with product management and the squad, the PO enables continuous flow of value through the delivery of small valuable features.

Iteration Execution

• The PO participates in iteration planning ceremonies and assists the squad with sequencing delivery.
• Supported by the squad, the PO identifies dependencies and coordinates the addressing of dependencies with other product owners as input to the final iteration plan.
• The PO also participates in cadences like discovery & elaboration, PO sync and mid-iteration check points.

Management of Quality Engineers

• Ensure Goal setting is done for each member.
• Assist each member with career planning and a development plan.
• Ability to manage and develop the quality engineers.
• Have at least 2 formal performance review discussion with each member, 1 mid-year and 1 end-year.
• Evaluate performance in an objective and fair way and where required address poor performance in accordance with the HR processes and procedures.
• Provide input into Talent Management and Retention grid.
• Motivate team members to set and reach their own daily targets to increase morale.
• Have regular one-on ones with team members.
• Empower team members to initiate new or improve existing work methods.
• Encourage staff to take extra responsibility by providing a coaching role from senior team members.
• Managing performance by guidance, training, and regular feedback session.
• Acknowledge excellent performance.
• Ensure that team is informed and up to date with any HR policies and procedures.

What will make you successful in this role?

Qualifications:

• Mathematics HG up to Grade 12 (C-symbol or higher)
• B-Degree with a Mathematical or Computational major will be advantageous.
• Experience in programming will be advantageous
• Solid understanding of JIRA and Confluence

Experience & Knowledge:

• At least 4 years' relevant experience within Actuarial
• Knowledge of Sanlam Risk products
• Knowledge and understanding of calculators, Epsilon system, Quotation Systems and DWH.
• Exposure to analysis methodologies, process disciplines and SDLC (waterfall & agile) methodologies
  

Personal attributes and Competencies:

• assertive
• engaged in the entire delivery process
• available to the team, but within reason
• embrace empowerment to make executive decisions within their mandate
• taking ownership
• natural communicators
• agile and flexible
• willing to share success and celebrate wins
• ability to manage and develop the quality engineers
• ability to work in a team
• show and act on initiative, innovative and creative
• analytical and numerical skills
• ability to work under pressure
  

Knowledge and Skills

General administrative practicesBudgeting and risk administrationLogistical and events/meeting co-ordinationGeneral CommunicationManagement of employees

Personal Attributes

Communicates effectively - Contributing independentlyPlans and aligns - Contributing independentlyDirects work - Contributing independentlyDecision quality - Contributing independently

Build a successful career with us

We’re all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future – your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office – the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.

Core Competencies

Cultivates innovation - Contributing independentlyCustomer focus - Contributing independentlyDrives results - Contributing independentlyCollaborates - Contributing independentlyBeing resilient - Contributing independently

Turnaround time

The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.

Closing Date: 2 August 2024

Our commitment to transformation

The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.