Director - Product Development

Region 4 Education Service Center; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 123,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

Region 4 Education Service Center in Houston seeks a Director of Product Development to lead commercialization, development, and growth of DevelopWorks and other revenue-generating technology products. You will guide product strategy, oversee engineering coordination, and ensure positive customer outcomes in support of Region 4’s mission and expanding national presence.

The role requires a decade of technology experience and five years in people management, with a focus on end-to-end software

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer-related field or commensurate experience.
• Ten years of experience as a technology professional.
• Five years of people management experience.
• Experience designing, developing, and delivering software products through the full lifecycle.
• Experience in analysis, implementation, and evaluation of IT systems and SaaS platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and coordinate all activities of the Product Development team.
• DevelopWorks — Region 4’s proprietary professional development platform.
• Direct the development, implementation, and commercialization of Region 4 products and systems.
• Develop strategic direction for the Product Development department and maintain the DevelopWorks roadmap.
• Coordinate with Marketing, Communications, and Texas Education Exchange on launches and interoperability.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal

Analytical

Problem Solving

Business Acumen

Project Tools

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Monday.com

Jira

Job description

Director - Product Development

Region 4 Education Service Center REGION 4 ESC - HOUSTON, Texas Open in Google Maps

Job Details

Job ID: 5870457

Application Deadline: Posted until filled

Posted: Aug 05, 2026 5:00 AM (UTC)

Starting Date: Immediately

Job Description

Classification:Administrative/Professional

Exemption Status/Test:Exempt/Computer

Job Grade:8

Department:Information Technology

Reports To: Department Director

Job Goal:

Lead the commercialization, development, and growth of DevelopWorks, Region 4’s proprietary professional development platform and other technology products that generate revenue for the ESC. This role guides product strategy, oversees engineering coordination, and ensures positive customer outcomes in support ofRegion4’s mission and its expanding national presence.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a computer-related field orcommensuratecomputer-related experience.

Experience

• Ten years of experience as a technology professional
• Five years of people management experience
• Experience designing, developing, and delivering software products throughthefull lifecycle — from concept through commercial deployment and support
• Experience in analysis, implementation, and evaluation of IT systems and SaaS platforms

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of current product development technology, application development practices, and services that support the education environment
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain technical problems and offer solutions to those without the technological training
• Strong interpersonal skills andtheability to effectively communicate and build relationships with customers
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Proven experience in strategic planning and execution, combined with strong organizational skills and business acumen
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Monday.com, Jira, or similar platforms

Major Responsibilities

• Lead, supervise, and coordinate all activities of the Product Development team, including direct reports in software engineering, customer success, solution architecture,Dataand product analysis
• Direct the development, implementation, and commercialization of products and systems supported byRegion4, including:
• DevelopWorks — Region 4’s proprietary professional development platform
• escWorks — through end-of-development (September 2026) and end-of-life (September 2027)
• Future products and featuresidentifiedthrough market research and customer engagement
• Develop strategic business direction for the Product Development department, including:
• Maintain and evolve the DevelopWorks product roadmap aligned to commercialization goals and customer needs
• Design go-to-market plans,including pricing strategy, sales enablement materials, and competitive positioning
• Identifystrategic business partners, ESC networks, and distribution channels to expand the platform’s reach
• Determinenew products or features for current systems to develop and bring to market
• Develop business plans for the department and new partnerships
• Cultivate andmaintaincustomer relationships across the active pipeline and existing client base
• Coordinate communications betweenRegion4 and all customers:
• Supervise collaborative efforts between the Product Development team and other Region 4 departments
• Oversee product environment architecture, system monitoring, upgrades, and releases in coordination with the Data Center & Network Solutions department.
• Partner with the Directors of Marketing and Communications on product launches, campaign messaging, customer announcements, and brand positioning
• Partner with Texas Education Exchange (TEE) by coordinating Region 4’s participation in statewide technology initiatives, ensuring alignment between DevelopWorks and TEE, and serving as a point of contact for product and platform interoperability requirements
• Assist the Chief Officer, Technology Strategy & Innovation,in evaluating the effectiveness of communications between the Product Development team and customers
• Lead or co-lead product demonstrations, prospect engagements, and sales presentations; work directly with customers throughout the implementation process
• Advise all team members on recommended solutions based on product knowledge and experience.
• Evaluate current technology use and recommend technical product solutions incorporating the latest technology, including cloud platforms and Agile product development processes.
• Consult with department directors and external customers on technical solutions to reduce administrative paper workflow
• Present sales initiatives and product demonstrations,and work directly with customers throughout the implementation process
• Lead interoperability efforts between DevelopWorks and the Texas Education Exchange, including data standards alignment, API integration planning, and coordination with TEEand partner organizations to ensure seamless data exchange.
• Oversee data engineering functions in support of the department and the broader organization, including the design and maintenance of data pipelines, integration workflows, and data infrastructure that enable reliable reporting and analytics
• Partner with business stakeholders acrossRegion4 to deliver analytics and business intelligence capabilities, including dashboards, performance metrics, and data-driven insights that support decision-making for DevelopWorks and other technology products
• Ensure compliance with statewide initiatives by coordinating programs and initiatives to support departments in working with the Texas Education Agency.
• Maintain documentation of department activities to meet all internal programmatic and fiscal requirements and all requirements imposed by the Texas Education Agency.
• Communicate with customers to ensure that they receive current information on supported programs and services
• Prepare and recommend department budgets for review and approval by the Chief Officer, Technology Strategy & Innovation
• Provide technicalassistanceand services as specified by any applicable federal grant that funds this position.
• Remain current on advances in technology

Supervision/Personnel Management

• In coordination with the department director, establish clear expectations, set goals, and provide regular feedback to promote accountability and performance improvement.
• In coordination with the department director, manage team workloads and project timelines to ensure priorities are met and deliverables are completed with high quality.
• Supervise and support assigned staff, including onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.
• Ensure compliance with Region 4 policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal guidelines.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional lifting and carrying (up to 15 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.

Position Type: Full-Time

Salary: $122,707 to $144,362 Per Year

Job Requirements

• Citizenship, residency or work visa required

Contact Information

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