Senior Automation Agile Product Owner

Who we are

VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions) is a strategic arm of Vodafone Group Plc, creating value for customers by delivering intelligent solutions through talent, technology & transformation.

As the largest shared services organisation in the global telco industry with 30,000 FTE, our portfolio of next-generation solutions and services are designed in partnership with customers across Vodafone Group, local markets, and partner markets to simplify and drive growth. With our strategic partner Accenture, we work alongside our Vodafone customers, other telco and tech companies to drive transformation, meet the challenges of our industry and ensure we stay relevant and resilient. This partnership is a unique, industry-first model which brings together the best of in-house and third party capability.

We work with customers across 28 countries from 10 VOIS locations: Albania, Egypt, Hungary, India, Romania, Spain, Turkey, UK, Germany, Ireland, and with a network of teams in Czech Republic, Italy, Greece, and Portugal.

About this role

We are seeking an experienced automation agile product owner to lead the optical automation roadmap within Vodafone’s global transport and transmission networks. This role sits at the intersection of network engineering, software development, and agile delivery, owning end-to-end product definition and value maximisation. The role requires close collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into scalable automation solutions that enhance network programmability and efficiency.

What you’ll do

• Own the end-to-end requirements management process, ensuring business, user, and technical needs are clearly captured and translated into actionable backlog items.
• Define and evolve the product vision, features, capabilities, epics, and roadmap for optical automation use cases.
• Manage and continuously refine the product backlog, including prioritisation based on value, demand, and strategic alignment.
• Work collaboratively with development teams, Scrum Masters, and stakeholders to ensure shared understanding of objectives and delivery expectations.
• Define, track, and communicate key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and value delivery.
• Collect, analyse, and prioritise feedback from users and stakeholders, promoting a strong feedback culture.
• Oversee the full product lifecycle, from concept through delivery and ongoing optimisation.
• Communicate progress transparently at each development stage to senior management and wider stakeholder groups.

Who you are

• An experienced agile product owner with at least three years’ experience across agile frameworks, software development, and Scrum ways of working.
• A confident decision-maker with strong analytical, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Knowledgeable in network technologies, with deep understanding of software defined networking (SDN).
• Experienced with SDN protocols and interfaces such as REST, RESTCONF, NETCONF, YANG data models, and APIs.
• Familiar with transport optical protocols and data models in a multi-vendor environment (for example Huawei, Ciena).
• A collaborative team contributor with strong storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and cultural awareness skills.
• Adaptable, curious, and comfortable working in a highly skilled, international environment.

Nice to have:

• Optical certifications (vendor related or relevant association)
• Knowledge of DWDM, OTN, and broader transmission technologies
• Exposure to cloud architectures

Not a perfect fit?

Concerned you may not meet every requirement? Vodafone is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align exactly with every aspect of the job description, you are encouraged to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or another opportunity, and the recruitment team will support you in exploring where your skills fit best.

What's in it for you

• The opportunity to influence global network automation strategy across Vodafone’s international and operating company networks.
• Exposure to cutting-edge automation, SDN, and optical network technologies in a multi-vendor, large-scale environment.
• Collaboration with diverse, high-performing teams across multiple countries and functions.
• A role that balances strategic product ownership with hands-on collaboration and continuous improvement.

What skills you will learn

• Advanced product ownership and value-driven backlog management in complex network environments.
• Deepened expertise in optical network automation and SDN-based solutions.
• Enhanced stakeholder influencing and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strategic thinking applied to large-scale telecom network evolution.

VOIS equal opportunity employer commitment

Vodafone recognises and celebrates the value of diversity in building a workforce that reflects the customers and communities it serves. No form of discrimination is tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, discrimination based on race, colour, age, veteran status, gender, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, ethnicity, disability, religion or belief, political affiliation, trade union membership, nationality, citizenship, indigenous status, medical condition, HIV status, neurodiversity, social origin, cultural background, marital or civil partnership status, or socio-economic background.

Join us

At Vodafone, we’re working hard to build a better future. A more connected, inclusive and sustainable world. As a dynamic global community, it's our human spirit, together with technology, that empowers us to achieve this.

We challenge and innovate in order to connect people, businesses, and communities across the world. Delighting our customers and earning their loyalty drive us, and we experiment, learn fast and get it done, together.

With us, you can truly be yourself and belong, share inspiration, embrace new opportunities, thrive, and make a real difference.

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