Product Owner, Investments

At Equity Residential, we're dedicated to creating thriving communities, and we invite you to be part of our team. Embracing values like Diversity, Sustainability, and Total Wellbeing, we foster a workplace culture of authenticity and collaboration.

How We Deliver a Winning Performance:  

• Question Authority 
• Walk the Talk
• Share Knowledge
• Listen, not just Hear
• See the Glass Half Full
• Take Educated Risks
• Enjoy the Ride
• Share the Spotlight
• Do the Right Thing
• Test Your Limits 

We Care About Your Total Wellbeing:

• Physical Wellbeing: Medical, dental, and vision care 
• Social Wellbeing: 9 paid holidays, annual vacation time, paid sick leave, new parent benefits
• Financial Wellbeing: 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Rent Discounts, Competitive Compensation
• Community Wellbeing: Paid Community Service Hours
• Career Wellbeing: Leadership Development
• Learn more about our Total Wellbeing program here.

What You'll Be Doing:

The Product Owner, Investments,  are responsible for applications and end-to-end technology platforms for their assigned organization department. This includes the overall strategy, architecture, operations and management of applications and technology platforms for the assigned business area. The Product Owner acts as a bridge between the technical team and the assigned business area and is responsible for driving execution, growth and transformation of technology, inclusive of the ongoing continuous improvement and digital evolution. The Product Owners are Agile practitioners, possess strong problem-solving skills, collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, and are dedicated to establishing a culture of innovation and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Collaborates, influences and partners with leadership across Investments to align business strategy, technology priorities and roadmap, both near and long-term.   
• Serves as hybrid team member, effectively positioned in both IT and with their assigned team(s) as a key technical and business domain team member.  
• Leads the planning and execution of key technology projects across all domains of Investments; including Transactions, Development, Strategy and Research, Portfolio and Asset Management, Sustainability, and Capital Planning. 
• Serves as the ultimate single-point-of-contact and/or escalation point to major technology related priorities for Investments.  Helps to navigate questions or concerns for assigned business area(s) across IT domains (infrastructure, hardware, etc.).
• Delivers on the technology roadmap.  Executes on projects.  Accountable for project charter, deliverables, and overall project delivery and success.
• Drives an innovation mindset.  Stays current on what's new for the landscape of the assigned business area(s).    
• Research, evaluate and pilot new technologies.
• Owns the application suite for the assigned business area(s), along with key business and vendor relationships.
• Develops RFPs and negotiates contracts, in partnership with legal and procurement.
• Has budget accountability for technology operating costs and projects (capital and operating) within assigned business area(s). 
• Manages (either directly or indirectly) the team responsible for delivery of technology capabilities, including project team members and development resources. 
• Partners with internal technical experts to ensure sound architectural and integration principles in place and data models in place for proposed solutions. 
• Adheres to corporate IT standards for projects, governance, architecture, security and infrastructure.
• Defines, tracks, and communicates Program KPIs to measure performance and other key metrics.
• Influences vendor features and roadmap.  External influencer.  Advocate for our needs and build strong relationships with our software partners and vendors to improve performance and generate maximum value
• Establishes and implements continuous improvements for the applications and end-to-end technology platforms for Investments.
• Represents the Company in a professional manner at all times. Consistently maintains a professional courteous attitude when dealing with residents, coworkers and the general public.
• Performs other duties as necessary.

The Company may revise this job description from time to time as business needs require.  It is not intended to be an exhaustive listing of all the functions of the job, nor limit the Company's right to assign other functions to an employee in this position.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

JOB QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience required. 
• 8+ years of experience in technology project management or similar IT management roles.
• 5+ years of experience in Program or Product Management with experience working across cross-functional teams and managing project timelines and deliverables to successful completion.  
• Expert knowledge across the Real Estate investment lifecycle from acquisition through disposition, market research, and investment tooling. 
• Knowledge and experience building a centralized data model and reporting ecosystem to monitor and measure operational KPIs and make strategic investment decisions.
• Proven work experience with Agile methodologies and tools, with a demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities in large, complex organizations.
• Experience with industry leading tools and concepts.
• Capable people manager with a track record of successfully hiring and leading high performing teams and growing individuals.
• Influential change agent that can influence across all levels of organization to achieve needed outcomes.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to create clear and concise documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and abilities with experience developing innovative solutions and making data-driven decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with projects for assigned business area(s) to ensure they remain on track and within scope.

Machines, Tools and Equipment, Software: Computer w/Internet and work within a Google platform, has strong skills with MS Office software (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google applications

Other Requirements: Must be available for overnight travel to EQR markets, industry or technology related events, etc. (up to 10% annually). 

SALARY:  $135,000 - $170,000  per year; in addition to base salary, a discretionary annual % bonus is provided.

The successful candidate's starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, and qualifications.

PHYSICAL AND VISUAL ACTIVITIES: 

Ability to hear and speak well enough to converse verbally over the phone and in-person (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken or written word). Ability to interpret, evaluate and communicate detailed written or verbal instructions to others accurately and easily.   Able to see well enough to use the computer effectively and read written communications.  Ability to lift, push, pull or carry up to 15 pounds for the dissemination of documents, supplies, materials, etc. to various locations throughout the office/facility. 

The above describes the physical and visual activities that are commonly associated with the performance of the essential functions of this job.  "Commonly associated" is not intended to mean always or only.  Reasonable accommodation will be provided as required by law to enable otherwise qualified employees with a known disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Hybrid working environment: In-office (at 2 N. Riverside Plaza, Chicago, IL) and remote, in alignment with the company's corporate attendance policy.