Sarah Hockett
Winterset
Summary
Professional Product Manager with substantial experience in guiding product development and driving market success. Adept at leveraging data-driven insights, leading cross-functional teams, and aligning projects with business goals. Strong focus on collaboration, flexibility, and delivering impactful results. Skilled in strategic planning, user experience optimization, and agile methodologies.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Manager 1
Principal Financial Group, Elevate by Principal
07.2023 - Current
- Coordinated design meetings and decisions with internal departments and teams.
- Streamlined internal communication, implementing agile methodologies to enhance team productivity and project transparency.
- Collaborated with sales, marketing, and support teams to launch products on time and within budget.
- Documented user stories, specifications, and product features into detailed work order to communicate across teams and build mandatory requirements.
- Managed full product lifecycle, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.
- Managed stakeholder expectations effectively throughout the entire product development process.
- Prioritized roadmap in order to achieve product goals and metrics.
- Thrived in fast-paced, highly-adept team to develop and prioritize product features and build product roadmap.
- Continuously monitored customer feedback channels after launch to gather insightful data for future iterations or updates.
Product Owner II
Principal Financial Group, Workplace Benefits and Solutions
01.2020 - 07.2023
- Developed key automation for New Case Installation, resulting in a 24 hour turn around time.
- Collaborated with developers and other SME (Subject Matter Experts) to establish a new external facing ‘Group Onboarding Center’ on Salesforce Experience Cloud.
- Encouraged more open communications between executive stakeholders, engineering and marketing to deliver the ‘Group Onboarding Center’.
- Owned the Features, User Stories, Roadmaps and outcomes for Group Onboarding.
- Facilitated communication between development teams and stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding of requirements and expectations.
- Mentored junior team members in Agile methodologies and best practices for effective Product Owner role execution.
- Led journey mapping, discovery sessions, user story mapping and contributed to value stream mapping sessions.
- Managed and prioritized the production support board and served as a liaison to the business and information technology teams to determine solutions.
- Managed backlog prioritization, ensuring alignment with business goals and stakeholder expectations.
- Collaborated with engineering teams on technical feasibility assessments, resulting in realistic scope definition for projects.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders by maintaining open lines of communication and addressing concerns promptly.
Scrum Master / Business Analyst II
Principal Financial Group, IDI Department
02.2016 - 01.2020
- Improved team efficiency by implementing Agile and Scrum methodologies for project management.
- Facilitated Scrum framework – sprint planning, backlog grooming, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and sprint retrospectives.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to refine requirements and ensure alignment with business goals.
- Collaborated with product owners, team members, technologists, and other scrum masters to define solutions and drive progress.
- Conducted daily stand-up meetings, sprint planning sessions, and sprint reviews, ensuring effective communication among team members.
- Managed product backlog effectively, prioritizing high-value items for faster completion.
- Coached cross-functional teams on Agile principles, leading to an increase in successful project deliveries.
- Led sprint reviews and planning meetings to promote full team engagement.
- Managed product backlog and supported Scrum framework for monthly sprint releases.
- Implemented continuous improvement initiatives through regular retrospective meetings with the team.
- Coached teams in Agile practices and provided necessary training to create positive mindset to Agile methodologies.
Quality Assurance Analyst I
Principal Financial Group
04.2014 - 02.2016
- Mentored and coached team members on QA topics and strategies.
- Participated in regular meetings with cross-functional teams to discuss progress updates, communicate concerns or challenges, and ensure alignment of project goals.
- Reported progress, test metrics and results to project stakeholders.
- Acted as a liaison between the QA team and other departments such as Development, Customer Support, and Product Management, ensuring effective communication throughout all stages of the project lifecycle.
- Reduced defect rates through meticulous attention to detail during code reviews, working closely with developers to address any identified issues quickly.
- Championed quality assurance initiatives within the organization by promoting a culture of continuous improvement and striving for excellence in all aspects of product development.
Senior Case Coordinator
Principal Financial Group
01.2006 - 04.2014
- Served as a relationship manager: was the single point of contact for agents, internal wholesalers, sales center and client services regarding requirements gathering for IDI new business applications through contract issuance.
- Streamlined communication between interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless care transitions for patients.
- Maintained detailed records of patient progress, facilitating accurate reporting and efficient information sharing within the team.
- Researched, analyzed, and helped coordinate issue resolution for management, client services, internal sales contacts and agencies/brokers regarding the status of new business applications and various other issues.
- Developed and maintained positive relationships with internal and external customers.
- Obtained a working knowledge of products and services offered.
- Trained co-workers on case management responsibilities upon request.
- Prior Positions:
- Customer Service Life Administration October 2004 – January 2006
- Customer Service Technician December 2002 – September 2004
- Accounting Associate June 2002 – December 2002
Education
Winterset High School
Winterset, IA01.1998
Skills
- Product mindset
- Relationship Building
- Problem Solving Skills
- Agile Coaching & Mentoring
- KPI tracking
- Product strategy
- Product lifecycle management
- Data-driven decision making
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Product vision and strategy
- Product development
- Stakeholder communications
- Product backlog management
- Prioritization and execution
Training
Attended the Des Moines Agile Conference for 2016 and 2017
Timeline
Product Manager 1
Principal Financial Group, Elevate by Principal
07.2023 - Current
Product Owner II
Principal Financial Group, Workplace Benefits and Solutions
01.2020 - 07.2023
Scrum Master / Business Analyst II
Principal Financial Group, IDI Department
02.2016 - 01.2020
Quality Assurance Analyst I
Principal Financial Group
04.2014 - 02.2016
Senior Case Coordinator
Principal Financial Group
01.2006 - 04.2014
Winterset High School
Similar Profiles
Kimberly J. BridgesKimberly J. Bridges
Assistant Director - Benefits at Principal Financial GroupAssistant Director - Benefits at Principal Financial Group
Missy MiklusMissy Miklus
Customer Experience Specialist at Principal Financial Group IncCustomer Experience Specialist at Principal Financial Group Inc
Ruby A. QuijanoRuby A. Quijano
Administrative Assistant to Financial Advisor at Principal Financial GroupAdministrative Assistant to Financial Advisor at Principal Financial Group
Patrick PipenhagenPatrick Pipenhagen
District Manager: Sales, Service, and Install at Precision Garage DoorDistrict Manager: Sales, Service, and Install at Precision Garage Door
Kari BroekemeierKari Broekemeier
School Bus Driver at Winterset Community SchoolsSchool Bus Driver at Winterset Community Schools