Manager, Product Owner (IT - Utility Sector)

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (AQN), parent company of Liberty, is a diversified international generation, transmission, and distribution utility. AQN is committed to providing safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy and water solutions through our portfolio of utility investments to over one million customer connections, largely in the United States and Canada.

At Algonquin, our vision is to be the most trusted utility service provider in North America – a premium regulated utility, known for our customer focus, commitment to sustainability, and strong community partnerships. Our employees are at the heart of that vision. We believe that when people are empowered to learn, grow, and contribute their ideas, we can achieve remarkable results together.

We are building a culture that values integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. By joining Algonquin, you’ll be part of a team that is shaping the future of energy and water, while creating long-term value for our customers, communities, employees, and shareholders.

Purpose

The Manager, Product Owner is accountable for defining, prioritizing, and delivering technology products that enable critical utility operations, regulatory compliance, and customer outcomes. This role bridges business and IT, ensuring products deliver measurable business value while adhering to governance, security, and regulatory requirements.

The role combines product ownership, delivery leadership, and stakeholder management, with accountability for roadmap execution, backlog governance, and value realization.

Accountabilities

Product Strategy & Roadmap

• Define and maintain product vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap aligned to corporate priorities (e.g., grid modernization, customer experience, regulatory compliance)
• Translate business objectives into clear product capabilities and outcomes
• Prioritize initiatives based on value, risk, regulatory obligations, and operational impact
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and data strategies

Backlog & Delivery Management

• Own and govern the product backlog, ensuring it is prioritized, refined, and execution-ready
• Define epics, features, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria
• Partner with delivery teams (Agile/Hybrid) to drive timely, high-quality releases
• Monitor delivery performance using KPIs (velocity, cycle time, defect rates, value delivered)

Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as the primary interface between business units (Operations, Customer, Finance, Regulatory) and IT
• Facilitate cross-functional alignment and resolve competing priorities
• Lead product governance forums, including steering committees and executive updates
• Communicate product progress, risks, and outcomes in business terms

Value Realization & Performance

• Define and track business outcomes and success metrics (e.g., cost reduction, reliability improvements, regulatory compliance)
• Ensure benefits are realized and sustained post-implementation
• Support capital vs. O&M tracking and business case validation
• Continuously optimize product performance based on data and feedback

Risk, Compliance & Controls

• Ensure product delivery aligns with SOX/ITGC controls, cybersecurity standards, and regulatory requirements
• Identify and mitigate delivery and operational risks
• Embed controls and audit readiness into product design and delivery processes
• Support regulatory filings, audits, and evidence documentation as required

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a team of product owners/business analysts
• Establish consistent product management practices, standards, and tooling
• Coach teams on Agile, prioritization, and stakeholder management
• Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer focus

Years of Experience

Required

• 8–12+ years in IT, product management, or business systems delivery
• Experience as a Product Owner or Product Manager in complex enterprise environments
• Strong knowledge of utility operations (e.g., billing, asset management, grid systems, customer systems)
• Experience working in regulated environments with compliance requirements (SOX, NERC, etc.)
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and competing priorities
• Experience with Agile, Scrum, or hybrid delivery models

Preferred

• Experience with SAP (IS-U, S/4), outage management, or asset management systems
• Familiarity with data platforms, analytics, or digital customer channels
• Knowledge of capital planning and regulatory business case processes

Our purpose is sustaining energy and water for life, and it is demonstrated in everything we do as a business and as an employee team.

Our Mission

We provide safe, secure, reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy and water solutions. Our mission is how we create value as an organization—it is what drives us every day to fulfill our purpose.

Our Vision

We better the lives of our customers and communities. Our vision is what we see as possible. It's where we aspire to be, what we want to achieve and how we'll make an impact. It guides and keeps us on the right path as we work towards fulfilling our purposes.

Our Guiding Principles

• Customer Centric
• Integrity
• Entrepreneurial
• Teamwork
• Owner mindset
• Outcome focused
• Continuous learning

What we offer

Collaborative environment with a genuine flexible working policy

Share purchase/match plan

Leadership Development Program

Volunteer paid days off

Employee Assistance Program

Achievement fund

Group Benefit Plan

Variety of Health & Wellness programs

Discount and Perks program

We are focused on building a diverse and inclusive workforce. If you are excited about this role and are not confident you meet all the qualification requirements, we encourage you to apply to investigate the opportunity further.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value each person's unique background, diversity, experiences, perspectives and talents.

Full participation of all employees in a safe, healthy and respectful environment is key to individual and company success. We are committed to fully utilizing the abilities of all our employees and expect each of our employees to honour this commitment in their daily responsibilities.