Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
AdministrativeAssistant
John Safar

John Safar

Melissa ,TX

Summary

Product Management Leader with 15+ years of experience delivering enterprise-scale initiatives across developer productivity, DevOps, security, and regulatory platforms. Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams, define product strategies, vision, and execute roadmaps that deliver measurable results. Known for building high-performance teams and championing innovation in fast-paced environments.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Product Management Leader – Developer Productivity

PAYPAL INC
05.2023 - Current
  • Led customer-centric strategies significantly enhancing developer efficiency and productivity across PayPal's global developer community.
  • Successfully delivered and integrated advanced AI developer tools including Google Gemini (Codey) and AWS CodeWhisperer, improving coding efficiency.
  • Managed strategic overhaul of PayPal’s CI/CD environment, consolidating seven disparate tools into a unified platform, resulting in a 30% improvement in build times and a 36% reduction in LTTC (Lead Time to Change).
  • Built and mentored a high-performing product management team, driving innovation and operational excellence.
  • Actively collaborated with senior executives to align product vision and strategic business objectives.

Cyber Security Product Management Lead -Global Portfolio

PAYPAL INC
07.2022 - 05.2023
  • Developed Product Strategy, Vision and executed detailed product roadmaps for critical global security domains including IAM, configuration management, and network security.
  • Authored and maintained comprehensive Product Requirement Documents (PRDs) and Engineering Requirement Documents (ERDs).
  • Provided strategic leadership in risk management and implementation of secure technology solutions across our complex SDLC enterprise environment.
  • Delivered advanced cybersecurity solutions, such as Code Signing/Supply Chain Security, and reduced our scanning tools from 3 to 1 to address enterprise security challenges.
  • Provided thought leadership in identifying, assessing, and managing risks and controls within the SDLC ensuring compliance and secure implementation.
  • Successfully influenced diverse groups and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, timely deliverables, fostering collaboration across organizational silos.


VP-Product Management – Network Security/Data Protection

JPMorgan Chase
07.2021 - 07.2022
  • Defined and managed the product strategy for multiple initiatives within the Data Protection and Network Security portfolio, aligning product strategy with organizational priorities.
  • Led a dedicated product management team focused on developing cloud-native Web Application Firewall (WAF), proxy, and data protection solutions for the firm.
  • Owned and strategically managed the Hera Key Management System (KMS), driving product lifecycle, adoption, and governance across multiple Lines of Business (LOBs).
  • Provided strategic direction on business use cases and requirements for Data Protection and Cloud Security solutions.
  • Facilitated clear communication with business channels and led monthly technical meetings to ensure transparency and organizational alignment.
  • Enhanced visibility through strategic operational reporting, directly impacting product performance and compliance.
  • Collaborated closely with leadership to align product strategies with business needs and market demands.

VP- Product Owner

Bank of America
06.2019 - 07.2021
  • Oversaw a heavily regulated platform supporting 65,000 users, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence.
  • Operated effectively within a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), coordinating strategic alignment and operational execution across 32 Scrum teams.
  • Refined and prioritized product backlogs, coordinated closely with agile teams, and delivered impactful platform enhancements.
  • Facilitated strategic communications between technology teams, product management, and business stakeholders, ensuring alignment and effective implementation.
  • Led cross-functional collaboration with Product Managers, application managers, and architects to define Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) and feature specifications, ensuring alignment on deliverables.
  • Guided development teams to align on a vision for reducing technical debt and enabling future feature functionality, ensuring solutions met the long-term needs of the platform.

VP- Operations

Safe Haven Holding Corp
03.2016 - 05.2019
  • Entrepreneurially founded, owned, and led all aspects of a niche automotive dealership from concept to successful operation.
  • Scaled the business to achieve annual revenues of $4.3 million within three years, demonstrating robust growth and strategic management.
  • Directed strategic business planning, operational management, financial oversight, sales strategies, and business development.
  • Successfully negotiated contracts and strategic partnerships with suppliers and industry partners, streamlining operations and enhancing profitability.
  • Managed and mentored a team, cultivating a high-performance culture and consistently surpassing business objectives.

AVP- Project Manager

Bank of America
08.2010 - 03.2016
  • Led multiple enterprise wide concurrent projects while managing senior-level stakeholder relationships within a highly regulated enterprise control function.
  • Developed and executed project plans, budgets, and schedules; ensured alignment with scope and regulatory standards.
  • Drove Agile delivery by translating business requirements into user stories for PI planning and grooming sessions.
  • Conducted cost-benefit and ROI analyses to guide implementation strategies.
  • Managed communication plans and tracked project milestones and deliverables.
  • Partnered with business units on change management and success metrics for new initiatives.
  • Led procedural audits for compliance with OCC/CFPB regulations.
  • Created and maintained technical documentation and customer communications through full governance lifecycle.

Education

Some College - No Degree - Business Administration And Management -

Foothill College
Los Altos, CA

Skills

  • Recognized Thought Leader in enterprise product strategy, developer experience, and DevOps transformation
  • Proven Change Management and Risk Management leader in large-scale enterprise transformations
  • Experienced in People Leadership, coaching cross-functional teams and mentoring emerging product managers
  • Strategic Influencer who aligns stakeholders and drives adoption across complex organizations
  • Adept at Train Planning and Program Increment (PI) Planning within the SAFe Framework for scaled delivery
  • Architect of strategic roadmaps and execution plans aligned with business outcomes and developer satisfaction
  • Practitioner of SDLC optimization, driving measurable outcomes through instrumentation, metrics, and automation
  • Champion of continuous improvement, fostering innovation and reducing delivery friction
  • Expert in DORA and SPACE frameworks to measure and enhance software delivery performance and developer experience
  • Deep experience in end-to-end Developer Productivity strategy, telemetry instrumentation, and workflow optimization
  • Advanced understanding of Cybersecurity best practices with hands-on experience driving secure SDLC initiatives
  • Owner of enterprise Key Management Systems (KMS) ensuring encryption key lifecycle governance and compliance
  • Skilled in implementing Asymmetric and Symmetric Encryption standards for secure communication and data protection
  • Strong knowledge of Asset and Configuration Management, enabling traceability, compliance, and operational efficiency
  • Proficient in Identity and Access Management (IAM), including policy-driven access and role-based authorization
  • Solid foundation in Network Security, encompassing firewall configuration, segmentation, and incident response protocols
  • Deep knowledge of Proxies, Ingress/Egress controls, and Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to safeguard applications and APIs
  • Practitioner of Lean Agile and Six Sigma Lean methodologies for continuous process improvement
  • Experienced with both Agile (Scrum, SAFe) and Waterfall delivery models for hybrid and traditional enterprise environments
  • Hands-on with Jira and Rally for agile planning, backlog refinement, and delivery tracking
  • Deep experience leveraging Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams) in leadership and executive communication
  • Skilled in designing and operating CI/CD pipelines to accelerate software delivery and improve reliability

Certification

  • Certified Scrum Master, 000879511, Scrum Alliance
  • Certified SAFe 4 Product Owner/Product Manager, 65895888-7344, Scaled Agile
  • PEGA Certified Business Architect 8.4

Timeline

Product Management Leader – Developer Productivity

PAYPAL INC
05.2023 - Current

Cyber Security Product Management Lead -Global Portfolio

PAYPAL INC
07.2022 - 05.2023

VP-Product Management – Network Security/Data Protection

JPMorgan Chase
07.2021 - 07.2022

VP- Product Owner

Bank of America
06.2019 - 07.2021

VP- Operations

Safe Haven Holding Corp
03.2016 - 05.2019

AVP- Project Manager

Bank of America
08.2010 - 03.2016

Some College - No Degree - Business Administration And Management -

Foothill College
John Safar