Senior Product Manager

Oxford University Press; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational publisher is seeking a strategic leader for the Secondary Maths portfolio. Responsibilities include overseeing product strategy, managing product lifecycle, and driving financial success. The ideal candidate will possess strong market insights, excel in project management, and demonstrate exceptional communication skills. This hybrid position requires at least two days in the Oxford office, offering a chance to work on innovative educational products.

Qualifications

• Experience in overseeing product development strategies.
• Strong understanding of market trends and competition.
• Ability to build relationships with authors and partners.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategy for Secondary Maths portfolio brands.
• Monitor and manage products throughout their lifecycle.
• Work with teams to ensure timely delivery of projects.

Skills

Market research

Product management

Project management

Communication

Financial management

Job description

About the Role

You will oversee the development and execution of strategy for the Secondary Maths portfolio of brands; series and products and draw on market research and in-depth market knowledge to produce market winning propositions (print and digital) in line with the product strategy for Secondary and to be accountable for the commercial success of products and for driving growth in relevant market segments.

In addition, you will maintain a deep and up-to-date customer and market understanding to anticipate future market trends and needs (short, medium and long term), and drive creativity and innovation to support Secondary Maths product strategy as well as contribute to informing the development of ED-UK growth strategy and support ED-UK initiatives that will increase revenue, market share and profitability and create new revenue streams.

Duties will include:

Strategy and Market

• To maintain an in-depth knowledge of the education landscape, market, practice in schools and competitor activity at all times, to identify opportunities. Lead on shaping the strategy for Secondary Maths series/brands/products, as well as contributing to strategic decisions across the wider STEM portfolio. Spearhead the research and development of new and/or updated products and services that meet customer needs and business objectives, including turnover.
• Support and contribute to the development of strategic initiatives across the Secondary level Sector and ED-UK.

Product Management Skills and Best Practice

• Monitor products for the Secondary Maths brands/series to identify challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed. Manage and develop products through the full product lifecycle in conjunction with sales and marketing. Lead on shaping new product proposals and demonstrate highly effective commissioning, author management and problem-solving skills.
• Work effectively with sales and marketing to develop clear and powerful product positioning and messages to ensure that products have strong customer appeal, to maximise sales, respond to market trends and ensure teacher and learner needs continue to be met.

Project Management

• Work with editorial and product delivery colleagues to determine best resourcing options and workflows on new projects; proactively anticipate issues, demonstrate creative problem-solving and management skills to ensure timely, efficient delivery, on budget, of appropriate quality products to meet the needs of the customer.

Author and Partner Management

• Build strong relationships with high-profile authors, experts and partner organisations to get the best out of them. Build a network of expert and practitioner contacts and strive to identify and nurture new and diverse authors, advisors and contributors.

Financial Management

• Define and agree overhead budgets and lead on project costings for Secondary Maths portfolio, brands and series, maximising financial viability, in order to gain publishing meeting approvals. Work with colleagues to maintain awareness of, and to achieve, financial targets and to devise new ways to drive value and improve profitability across the list.

Communication and Teamwork

• Demonstrate highly effective inter-departmental communication skills; act as the product owner and champion for your series/products so that you are able to inspire and catalise support from other departments and motivate individuals and teams to deliver the best outcomes for customers and the business.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.