Product Owner

About Certara and the Certara AI Platform

Certara is a leader in harnessing cutting-edge technology to accelerate drug development and innovation in the life sciences industry. Our Certara AI Platform leverages advanced machine learning, predictive analytics, and simulation techniques to deliver actionable insights that drive better decision-making across research, development, and regulatory processes. As we continue to evolve our AI solutions, we are looking for a dedicated Product Owner to guide the platform's strategic direction and ensure it meets the needs of our customers and stakeholders.

Position Overview

The Product Owner for the Certara AI Platform will serve as the key liaison between our cross-functional teams-including developers, testers, management, and customers-to define, prioritize, and deliver product features that drive innovation and customer value. This role requires a deep understanding of both the technical and business aspects of AI-driven platforms, excellent communication skills, attention to detail, and a passion for building products that transform how life sciences companies approach drug development.

Product Vision & Roadmap:

• Develop and maintain a clear product vision and roadmap for the Certara AI Platform in alignment with overall business goals and market trends.
• Collaborate with senior management to define strategic priorities and ensure the roadmap supports long-term innovation and customer success.

Requirements & Backlog Management:

• Work closely with stakeholders (including customers, developers, testers, and business leaders) to gather, refine, and prioritize product requirements.
• Break down high-level requirements into clear user stories and actionable tasks for the development team.
• Maintain and prioritize the product backlog, ensuring that development efforts are focused on delivering maximum value.

Release Management:

• Plan and coordinate software releases, working with cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of high-quality features.
• Monitor and manage the release cycle, including sprint planning, review sessions, and retrospective meetings.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as the primary point of contact for customer feedback and ensure that client needs and insights are reflected in the product roadmap.
• Facilitate communication between technical teams and business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into workable solutions.

Quality & Performance Oversight:

• Collaborate with testing teams to define quality standards, acceptance criteria, and performance metrics.
• Monitor product performance post-release and work on iterative improvements based on user feedback and analytics.

Agile Process Champion:

• Advocate for and implement agile best practices within the team.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and customer-focused environment to drive continuous improvement.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in a Product Owner or Product Management role, preferably in a technology-driven or AI-focused environment.
• Experience working within the life sciences, healthcare, or pharmaceutical industry is a strong plus

Technical & Domain Expertise:

• Solid understanding of software development processes, agile methodologies, and modern product management tools.
• Familiarity with AI, machine learning, and data analytics concepts.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Core Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Customer-centric mindset with a passion for translating feedback into actionable product enhancements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with development teams in an Agile/Scrum environment
• Proven track record of launching successful software products in a regulated or highly technical domains
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities in AI-driven platforms within the life sciences or pharmaceutical industry.