Product Owner- API

**NO 3rd Parties or Sponsorship! Must be w2 hrly only!

Role Title: Product Owner

Duration: 1.5 years+

Preferred Location: Look at local to Buffalo,NY first before opening it up to remote

Role Description:

We are seeking an experienced Open Banking Product Owner / API Product Manager to lead the development, enhancement, and delivery of API-driven banking products and digital capabilities.

This individual will work closely with customers, business stakeholders, technology teams, and third-party partners to understand business needs, define product requirements, prioritize features, and drive solutions from concept through implementation.

The ideal candidate combines strong banking/product knowledge with API and integration experience and is comfortable serving as the bridge between business users, customers, and technical development teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage the roadmap for Open Banking and API-driven products.
• Gather requirements directly from customers, business stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Translate customer and business needs into clear product requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
• Partner closely with engineering and architecture teams on API development and integration initiatives.
• Manage and prioritize product backlogs based on customer demand, business value, and technical feasibility.
• Support the development of new digital banking and Open Banking capabilities.
• Coordinate integrations with third-party providers, fintech partners, and external customers.
• Evaluate existing APIs and identify opportunities for enhancements, new functionality, and improved customer experience.
• Drive products through the full lifecycle, including requirements, development, testing, implementation, launch, and ongoing enhancements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between business, customers, engineering, architecture, and external partners.
• Ensure API capabilities align with broader digital banking and product strategies.
• Participate in product demonstrations, customer discussions, and solution-design sessions.

Requirements:

• 6+ years of professional experience in product management, product ownership, banking technology, digital banking, APIs, or related areas.
• Experience working within banking or financial services.
• Strong experience with API-based products, integrations, or digital platforms.
• Experience gathering customer requirements and translating them into actionable technical and product requirements.
• Understanding of Open Banking concepts, APIs, and third-party financial integrations.
• Experience working with technical teams throughout the software and product development lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of Agile product development, backlog management, user stories, and prioritization.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience specifically supporting Open Banking initiatives.
• Experience with banking APIs involving payments, account information, customer data, or financial data connectivity.
• Experience working with third-party fintech or technology providers.
• Familiarity with API security, authentication, authorization, and data-sharing concepts.
• Previous experience in a Product Owner, Technical Product Manager, Digital Product Manager, or API Product Manager role