Product Manager, Smarter Balanced

University of California - Santa Cruz; California (MO); On-site; USD 99,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits

Remote work option

Job summary

UC Santa Cruz’s Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium seeks a Product Manager to own lifecycle management, end-to-end product strategy, requirements, and long-term integration roadmap for Tools for Teachers and related applications. This role works remotely under a telecommuting agreement and collaborates with consortium members to deliver impactful educational solutions.

You will partner with content and technology teams to translate needs into practical features, guide cross-functional teams,

Responsibilities

• Leads roadmap planning and backlog refinement discussions for the Tools for Teachers product and other applications with members, various internal stakeholders, and the Director for Tools for Teachers.
• Operationalizes requirements into a roadmap for Tools for Teachers product and other applications in partnership with content and technology teams; sizes and prioritizes enhancements with the technology team; and ensures roadmap alignment to member needs and organizational strategy.
• Leads efforts in evaluating new technologies and industry trends as they emerge based on educational assessment market and competitive analysis; evaluates application to current Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers product.
• Identifies emerging market targets and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across content and technology.
• Monitors product and applications development life cycle in terms of both member satisfaction, technology, and content from initiation through delivery, interfacing on technical matters with SMEs and membership.
• Interacts with executives on matters concerning innovation, product investment, and / or customers for Tools for Teachers and other applications.
• Leads the identification of additional opportunities for value-added innovative product and service features and workflows based on customer / member interaction, market analysis, and feedback.
• Identifies, organizes, and leads technical and educational discussions with key advisory groups and other customers / members

Job description

JOB POSTING

This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.

NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 9-16-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.

Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Manager at Smarter Balanced is responsible for Lifecycle Management, including driving the end-to-end product strategy, requirements, and long-term integration roadmap for Tools for Teachers and assigned applications, while navigating complex variable factors and technical trade-offs.

The incumbent partners closely with consortium members to build deep insights into diverse user personas and needs, translating member requirements into solutions that elevate user satisfaction and deliver measurable educational impact. Internally, the position guides cross-functional and matrixed teams to successfully deliver high-impact products and enhancements on scope, schedule, and budget.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $99,040 - $106,400/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: Remote

Union Representation: TX Union

Job Code Classification: 005475 (PRODUCT DEV PROFL 3 TX)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Product Strategy and Relevancy

• Leads roadmap planning and backlog refinement discussions for the Tools for Teachers product and other applications with members, various internal stakeholders, and the Director for Tools for Teachers.
• Operationalizes requirements into a roadmap for Tools for Teachers product and other applications in partnership with content and technology teams; sizes and prioritizes enhancements with the technology team; and ensures roadmap alignment to member needs and organizational strategy.
• Leads efforts in evaluating new technologies and industry trends as they emerge based on educational assessment market and competitive analysis; evaluates application to current Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers product.
• Identifies emerging market targets and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across content and technology.
• Monitors product and applications development life cycle in terms of both member satisfaction, technology, and content from initiation through delivery, interfacing on technical matters with SMEs and membership.
• Interacts with executives on matters concerning innovation, product investment, and / or customers for Tools for Teachers and other applications.
• Leads the identification of additional opportunities for value-added innovative product and service features and workflows based on customer / member interaction, market analysis, and feedback.
• Identifies, organizes, and leads technical and educational discussions with key advisory groups and other customers / members