Product Owner (Freelance)

Location: Brussels, Belgium (Hybrid: 2-3 days remote / week)

Contract Type: Freelance (Independent Contractor)

Seniority Levels Available: Junior (1+ year exp.) | Medior (3+ years exp.) | Senior (10+ years exp.)

About Smile

Passionate about tech, digital, and innovation? Join the 1,800 employees at Smile, the European leader in open-source integration, spread across 20 agencies in 9 countries. Collaborative spirit and knowledge sharing are at the heart of our DNA. Our experts push the boundaries of open source every day to build a smarter, more efficient, and more responsible digital world. Here, we don't just follow trends, we create them! 🌟 Join Smile in Brussels and take part in projects that truly matter! 🏆

On behalf of one of our major premium clients based in Brussels, we are looking for talented Product Owners across multiple seniority levels to drive the vision and delivery of high-impact digital initiatives.

Mission & Responsibilities

As a Product Owner, you will manage complex Agile and Scrum projects from conception to completion. You will serve as the central point of contact between business stakeholders and technical execution teams, ensuring deliverables align with corporate strategy, budgets, and timelines.

Your daily responsibilities will include:

• Product Backlog Management: Defining, prioritizing, and maintaining user stories and product backlogs within Jira/Confluence.

• Project Governance: Elaboration of structured project documentation, including Work Packages (WP), Project Management Plans (PMP), RACI matrices, and Gantt charts.

• Agile Leadership: Operating effectively within scaling frameworks (SAFe) and Agile project delivery models (DSDM).

• Monitoring & Reporting: Tracking project velocity, budget consumption, and timelines using MS Project Online to build clear executive dashboards.

• Service Alignment: Ensuring project delivery complies with structured ITIL processes for smooth operational transition and change management.

Your Profile

Core Technical & Methodological Skills:

• Agile Governance: Strong mastery of complex SCRUM environments and familiarity with scaling frameworks (SAFe, DSDM).

• Project Tooling: Advanced proficiency with MS Project Online, Jira, and Confluence.

• Framework Knowledge: Solid understanding of ITIL processes for service and lifecycle management.

• Analytical Structure: Proven ability to create clean KPIs, dashboards, and standard project documentation (RACI, PMP, Gantt charts).

Experience & Seniority Levels:

• Junior: 1+ year of experience managing backlogs and operating in Agile setups.

• Medior: 3+ years of experience leading multi-stakeholder projects and budgeting.

• Senior: 10+ years of experience steering complex enterprise projects, managing heavy budgets, and leading cross-functional teams.

Language Requirements:

• English: Professional proficiency (Minimum 3/4) AND

• Dutch OR French: Professional proficiency (Minimum 3/4)

Why Smile? 😊

• Peer Management: Our proximity management by peers fosters dialogue and the implementation of a tailored career path.

• Continuous Learning: Because the digital sector is in constant motion, Smile is committed to making you an expert in your field, thanks to a comprehensive training offer: access to an e-learning platform, financing of certifications, knowledge-sharing tools...

• Vibrant Community: Your year will be animated by group and agency events: annual convention, participation in trade fairs, summer party, formal & informal afterworks.

The Next Steps 🚀

1. First contact: A phone call to discuss your aspirations and what we can offer you.

2. Meeting: An opportunity to get to know each other and explore your professional background.

3. Business interview: A discussion with one of our experts to assess your skills and define your goals.

Are you a results-driven Product Owner ready to spearhead critical digital transformations? Apply today!