Vice President, Product Owner

Pennymac is seeking a Vice President, Product Owner to lead complex, high-profile product initiatives within the lending experience. In this onsite role in Cary, NC, you will own end-to-end product outcomes across integrated business systems, bringing an Agile mindset and applying AI and machine learning to improve the mortgage workflow.

Role focus

• Define and advocate for the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for a designated area of the lending experience, aligned with broader business objectives
• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle, covering ideation, requirements definition, prioritization, development, launch, and iteration
• Identify and execute opportunities to use AI, machine learning, and generative AI to optimize the mortgage workflow, including intelligent document processing, automated underwriting support, customer service chatbots, and predictive risk scoring
• Translate business needs and market opportunities into clear goals, user stories, acceptance criteria, and functional requirements using tools such as use cases, process flows, and data analysis
• Maintain and prioritize the product backlog to maximize value delivery within an Agile (Scrum/Kanban) framework

Collaboration and delivery

• Work closely with stakeholders across business units, technology teams, data science teams, and executive leadership to gather insights, align priorities, and drive product success
• Contribute in Agile ceremonies including backlog grooming, sprint planning, and retrospectives, partnering with development teams, Tech Leads, Data Scientists, and UAT
• Lead complex initiatives by coordinating across departments and interfacing with system developers, business subject matter experts, and project managers to support seamless execution

Product leadership and governance

• Act as a domain expert for end-to-end business functions tied to the product; lead analysis to assess current capabilities, identify improvements, and define measurable outcomes
• Drive operational efficiencies and new business processes connected to the product
• Create and maintain product documentation including requirements, process flows, and reports; communicate product strategy, progress, and outcomes to senior management and other stakeholders
• Develop risk mitigation and contingency planning for product development, AI model performance, data governance, and product launch
• Collaborate on planning, oversight, and execution of testing to ensure changes meet finalized requirements and quality standards
• Ensure product decisions align with strategic initiatives, including revenue opportunities or cost-saving measures identified by product and business leadership
• Demonstrate behaviors aligned with the organization’s desired culture and values

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in CS, IS, related field (or equivalent work experience)
• 5+ years of experience applying Agile methodologies
• Proven success owning and delivering complex technology products or programs, preferably in an Agile environment
• Hands-on experience defining requirements for and delivering products powered by AI, Machine Learning, or Natural Language Processing (NLP), preferably in document automation, workflow optimization, or predictive analytics
• Deep understanding of product management best practices, business analysis, process improvement, and AI/ML product lifecycle principles, including model evaluation, training data requirements, and prompt engineering
• Proficiency with Agile/PM tools such as JIRA and Confluence (or similar) and strong G-Suite skills
• Strong data management fundamentals and database technology familiarity; general understanding of software systems architecture
• Experience with BI tools and platforms including Snowflake/SQL Server/.NET, XML/EDI, and GTM/Google Analytics is a plus
• Excellent communication skills across interpersonal, verbal, and written formats, with experience interfacing with stakeholders at all levels, including executive management
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic decision-making abilities
• Exceptional organization, attention to detail, and ability to deliver accurate results in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively within and across teams, influence without authority, and work independently
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking
• Financial Services experience, particularly the mortgage industry, is highly desirable

Compensation and work model

• Salary: USD 110,000 - 170,000 per year
• Work model: OFFICE
• Location: Cary, NC 27513 (onsite)

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Paid Time Off programs including vacation, holidays, illness, and parental leave
• Wellness programs, employee recognition programs, and onsite gyms and cafe-style dining (select locations)
• Retirement benefits, life insurance, 401k match, and tuition reimbursement
• Philanthropy programs including matching gifts, volunteer grants, charitable grants, and corporate sponsorships
• Competitive salary
• Bonus opportunities (positions may offer performance-based compensation and/or stock-based incentives)

Technologies: AI, machine learning, generative AI, intelligent document processing, automated underwriting support, customer service chatbots, predictive risk scoring, NLP, Scrum, Kanban, Agile, JIRA, Confluence, G-Suite, Snowflake, SQL Server, .NET, XML, EDI, Google Analytics, GTM.