Job Description

NAXCON GmbH, located in the heart of Freiburg, is at the forefront of the German IT and engineering industry.

Our experts have extensive knowledge in software and hardware development, state-of-the-art electronics, and future-oriented technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality.

We are not only dedicated to project work for our customers, but also intensively pursue in-house innovation projects as well as research & development. Renowned companies from a wide range of German industries place their trust in us - demonstrating the outstanding expertise and commitment of our engineers.

Position Senior Project Manager / Product Owner

Location Bonn, Germany

Field Defence

Type Full-time/40% Remote

Project / Department Overview

The role is intended for an experienced sub-project lead who will take responsibility for project management and Product Owner activities within a team developing monitoring solutions as part of the setup of an IT Service Management platform.

The position combines project management, agile product ownership, stakeholder coordination, cost controlling, reporting, and risk/change management. The Senior Project Manager / Product Owner will steer a development team, manage the backlog, coordinate dependencies with other subprojects, and ensure that the assigned project scope is delivered on time, within budget, and according to quality expectations.

Responsibilities

The Senior Project Manager / Product Owner will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Lead and steer a development team in the role of Product Owner.
• Manage Scrum events and the product backlog.
• Capture, clarify, structure, and write epics and user stories.
• Define and document acceptance criteria for epics and user stories.
• Ensure achievement of schedule, cost, and quality targets for the assigned project or subproject.
• Support the overall project manager with reporting and overall project planning.
• Coordinate dependencies, risks, and changes across multiple subprojects.
• Manage stakeholder communication and stakeholder expectations.
• Perform cost controlling for the assigned project scope.
• Create project reports, status updates, and management documentation.
• Drive continuous improvement within the development team to increase collaboration efficiency.
• Support the setup and further development of IT Service Management platform capabilities.
• Contribute to monitoring and event management topics within the ITSM environment.
• Ensure transparency, traceability, and structured documentation of project progress, decisions, risks, and changes.

Required Qualifications

• Completed degree in business administration, business informatics, computer science, or a comparable IT-related field.
• Alternatively, completed commercial vocational training or recognized IT vocational training combined with relevant professional experience.
• Candidates without a university degree should have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Knowledge of common project management standards.
• Project management certification, such as IPMA Level D or equivalent.
• Advanced ITIL knowledge, especially in the context of IT Service Management.
• Knowledge of agile methods, especially Scrum Product Owner practices.
• Product Owner II certification or comparable qualification is required or strongly preferred.

Required Professional Experience

The candidate should have:

• At least 4 years of experience as a project team member in IT Service Management projects, especially platform setup or platform migration projects.
• Preferably experience in projects for public sector or regulated environments.
• At least 3 years of IT Service Management experience in the area of monitoring and event management.
• At least 6 years of relevant experience in a Product Owner role
• Experience steering development teams using Scrum.
• Experience writing epics, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Experience coordinating dependencies, risks, and changes across subprojects.
• Experience in stakeholder management, cost controlling, and project reporting.
• Experience using project management tools such as Jira or comparable tools.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Practical knowledge of MS Project.

Language Requirements

• German: C1 level according to CEFR.
• English: B1 level according to CEFR.

Proof of language skills may be provided through a certificate, reference, self-declaration, or equivalent evidence. Native speakers are exempt from providing separate proof for the respective language.

Project Reference Requirements

If project references are required, they should include:

• Industry
• Project title
• Short project description
• Performance period in month and year format
• FTE allocation
• Detailed description of the candidate's responsibilities and activities in the project

Only project references with a duration of at least 6 months and an allocation of at least 0.6 FTE should be considered.

Required Soft Skills

The candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong teamwork skills and servant leadership mindset.
• Assertiveness and consistent decision-making.
• Ability to structure complex topics and communicate them clearly to different target groups.
• Independent working style and strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong stakeholder management capability.
• Ability to work effectively with development teams, project managers, and technical stakeholders.
• Structured, proactive, and quality-oriented working style.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in complex IT project environments.

Special Requirements

• Willingness to travel and work on site when required.
• Willingness to undergo applicable security-related checks if required.
• Candidate profiles must include nationality information.
• Applicable security-related country list requirements must be observed where relevant.

Additional Information

The expected remote work share is approximately 40%
on average. Business travel and on-site work may be required and can account for up to 60% of working time depending on project requirements.

What we offer:

• Join a cosmopolitan and internationally mixed team: We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and cultures to contribute their unique perspectives and talents to our team.
• Polish your German language skills: If you are looking to improve your German language skills, we offer a supportive environment where you can practice and develop your language abilities: whether you are a beginner or an advanced speaker.
• Benefit from a fixed contact person from the company: We understand the importance of having a reliable point of contact within the company. That's why we assign a dedicated contact person who will provide guidance and support throughout your employment with us.
• Professional growth and development: With us, our engineers can immerse themselves in new industries or projects after just 1-2 years and actively transfer knowledge.
• Enjoy regular team events with the company: We believe in the power of team building and fostering positive relationships within the workplace. That's why we organize regular team events to promote collaboration and strengthen our team bonds.
• Competitive compensation package: At NAXCON, we believe that our engineers are our greatest asset. That's why we offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation package that includes a salary commensurate with experience and expertise.