Product owner traineeship | Fast track to high-impact job at BNP Paribas Fortis

Do you get energy from turning ideas into real solutions? From figuring out why a product, service or app makes a difference, and not just how it works? Good. Because that’s exactly what a Product Owner does. And in this paid, two-year fast-track traineeship, you’ll become one. At BNP Paribas Fortis nonetheless, Belgium’s number one bank. 

Always thought of yourself as the CEO type? Here’s your chance. Because this isn’t just another traineeship for young professionals. It’s your shortcut to shaping the evolution of key products in one of Europe’s biggest banks. All while being trained and coached by us (Ormit Talent). So, if you’re looking for a job with impact, ownership, responsibility and personal growth opportunities, you just found it.  

What you’ll do 

Whether it’s a new type of bank account, a smart investment app or an internal tool for signing documents, as a Product Owner you're in full control of your product. From start to finish. From insight to execution. You’re the bridge between business needs and IT possibilities. Between people and tech. And you turn strategy slides into real, working next-gen banking tools, platforms and features that make life easier. For customers on the outside and teams on the inside. 

So what does that look like day-to-day? 

• First and foremost: you connect the dots. Business dots. IT dots. Strategy dots. And you keep them aligned. At all times.  

• You set the direction, choose the route and decide what’s worth building. You say no when needed, and explain why with confidence.  

• You work with real stakeholders. And plenty of them. Business leads, risk experts, designers, IT teams... they all count on you to make smart calls, balance priorities and keep everyone moving in the same direction.  

• The actual building? That’s in good hands. You’ll be part of a development team that includes developers, analysts and other experts. While you keep the backlog healthy, guide delivery and make sure the team has all the product direction required to release as planned. 

• And last but not least, you never stop improving. You set and track KPIs, learn from every launch and keep products - and yourself - evolving. 

How you’ll get there. 

Pretty simple. By jumping in head-first. Don’t worry though, we’ll coach and mentor you every step of the way. It’s a set process, actually. Over the course of two years, you follow a three-step journey and evolve from a curious professional into a confident product owner. 

Here’s what will happen:  

• Step 1: start as a business analyst  

You dive deep. Learn how banking works, with a strong focus on transformation. You join a squad from day one and get hands-on experience inside the team. 
  

• Step 2: gain expertise and broaden your impact 

You tackle challenges that span multiple squads and teams within BNP Paribas Fortis. You’ll learn the ins and outs of the bank, how digital products get shaped and gain a broader understanding of the industry and the bank itself. 

• Step 3: evolve into a (Co-)Product Owner 

​​Now it’s your show. This is where you truly learn the Product Owner role. But you won’t have to fly solo. An experienced Product Owner supports you as you grow into it. Together, you manage a product or domain, define KPIs, and lead your squad to deliver measurable impact.  

The pace on the other hand? That’s totally up to you. If you’re new to banking, we give you time to master the basics. Already had a first experience as a Business analyst, Consultant or a similar job? Great. Let’s make that career switch happen. So yes, your fellow trainees might follow a slightly different path, but the outcome remains the same. You. Confident. Skilled. Ready to be a product owner who makes things happen.  

What you’ll get out of it  

• A fast lane to a key role.  Normally it takes years - eight, give or take - to reach this level of responsibility. Commit to this paid traineeship and you’ll get there in two. 

• Impact. And lots of it.  BNP Paribas Fortis is a bank that serves millions of customers and employs thousands of people. And your product just might change how they bank, work or collaborate.  

• Big stage, priceless network.  You’ll figure out how to get things done in a complex organisation alongside mentors, leaders and peers who’ll have your back. The people you meet and the trust you earn? They’ll open doors long after the program ends. 

• Soft skills development track. From Ormit Talent. Expect monthly sessions with a certified coach who’s focused on helping you grow, 20+ days of training in stakeholder management, communication, influencing, … In short, the kind of skills that pay off not just for this role, but anywhere your career path takes you.  

• Room to grow even further. This paid traineeship gets you to Product Owner, that’s the goal. But your career won’t end there. Over time, you can grow into other leadership roles within the bank. Think Cluster Product Owner, Chapter Lead, Tribe Owner or beyond.  

What you bring to the table 

• You have a Bachelor or Master’s degree. In what, you ask? Doesn’t matter. We hire for potential, not titles.  

• You’ve dipped your toes in the business world already. Somewhere between a strong internship and three years of experience sounds just right. As a business analyst, project manager or consultant perhaps. What matters is that you’ve seen how organisations tick. 

• You’re a strategic thinker who also gets hings done. 

• You’re sharp, analytical and just stubborn enough to push through when things get hard. But you communicate in such a clear and confident way that people can’t help but follow your lead. 

• They call you the stakeholder whisperer. You know how to listen, align and keep everyone on the same page. Even when the room gets loud.  

Ready to fast-track your career as BNP Paribas Fortis’ next decision maker?