Senior Director, Product Management

University of California - Santa Cruz; California (MO); Remote; USD 140,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative public university is seeking a Senior Director of Product Management to lead the development of assessment products. This role involves strategic visioning, team management, and ensuring product relevance in educational contexts. The successful candidate will collaborate with stakeholders to enhance user satisfaction and drive organizational impact. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape educational tools that benefit diverse learners while working in a supportive and inclusive environment. Join a team that values creativity and excellence in education!

Benefits

Full benefits

Remote work flexibility

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience managing complex product lines for educational customers.
• Strong knowledge of K-12 education products and product management.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain product roadmaps for assessment systems.
• Manage daily operations including staff and budget oversight.

Skills

Product Management

Staff Management

Market Research

User Personas Development

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related area

Advanced degree in related area

Job description

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Job ID

76799

Location

Remote

Full/Part Time

Full Time

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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.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resourceson our website.

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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: 3/31/2025

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 members (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.

Smarter Balanced staff have a profound commitment to UCSC's Principles of Community including embracing diversity, equity and inclusion.

UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs, or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.

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

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Director of Product Management is responsible for identifying, recommending, developing, and maintaining the portfolio of products within the Smarter Balanced assessment system. Management responsibilities include developing the team's long-term vision and goals, policies, and procedures, as well as managing the daily operations involving staff, budget, resources, and multi-year product roadmaps.

The incumbent provides technical direction to project teams in building requirements, prioritizing roadmap products, conducting market/competitive research, and facilitating product development life cycle for Smarter Balanced summative, interim, and formative assessments (teacher resources).

It is critical and essential that this management position develops relationships and interfaces with Consortium members to establish a deep understanding of member needs and layered user personas to drive customer satisfaction and achieve organizational impact.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $140,000 - $167,940/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: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: 005945 (PRODUCT DEV MGR 1) - Grade 26

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

50% - Product Strategy Relevancy

• In collaboration with executives and key stakeholders, develops, executes, and evaluates a strategic vision and roadmap(s) for Smarter Balanced products to expand membership/customers and usage of Smarter Balanced products across summative, interim, and formative assessment/instructional resources.
• Ensures through subordinates that varied and competing product requirements are met, including layered user/member needs and overall organizational strategy.
• Uses key performance metrics (including impact on teaching and learning) to measure and ensure the success of products; makes recommendations and/or changes to Smarter Balanced product content, features, partnerships, and strategy, accordingly.
• Designs and drives research efforts on users, markets, and competitors to drive product roadmap and improvements.
• Identifies and develops opportunities for improvement on matters concerning innovation, product investment, and/or customers; makes recommendations for review and consideration by Smarter Balanced's executive team.

50% - Product Development and Operations

• Manages the design and development of educational measurement products across a complex balanced assessment system, from project initiation and design to product release.
• Leads department staff in employing product management practices in the development of educational measurement products.
• Establishes department practices and systems for product management, including analytical frameworks for analyzing/prioritizing features, business plans, market/competitive analysis, innovation operationalization, creating user personas and stories, and collecting/analyzing user feedback.
• Plans, directs, and controls product management staff and budget, as well as prioritizes product spending and cross-functional resources.
• Develops and maintains liaisons with external membership advisory boards and represents products to the Executive Committee, membership groups, and K-12 educators.
• Manages product management staff in determining roadmap and requirements for reporting, content tools, and teacher resources across technology, content, and psychometrics.
• Establishes membership empathy and understanding that leads to product excellence.
• Leads and delivers membership conference presentations; provides go-to-market plans to promote public awareness of products or services, collaborating with marketing/communications staff.
• Establishes short- and long-term goals for staff; establishes and maintains an inclusive environment for fostering the growth and development of all department staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience managing staff in the development, deployment, and servicing of complex products and product lines to meet the needs of educational customers.
• Recent experience working to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.
• Experience in effectively prioritizing and sizing product requirements, developing user personas, defining user stores, and benchmarking development against goals.
• Experience ensuring that organizational policies, practices, services, and behaviors support and promote belonging among staff.
• Experience making evidence-based business cases for products, including "build vs. buy" analyses.
• Excellent knowledge of the marketplace for K-12 education products and product management.
• Thorough knowledge in and approach to roadmapping and managing a product development life cycle across multiple simultaneous product lines.
• Working knowledge of the roles and interdependency between content and technology in the field of product development.
• Strong oral communication skills, including presenting technical details to nontechnical audiences.
• Strong written communication skills, including presenting technical details to nontechnical audiences.
• Strong negotiation skills for influencing and / or persuading staff at all organizational levels.
• Skills in organization and customer service necessary to effectively manage multiple important but at times conflicting priorities.
• Demonstrated ability in building collaborations among cross-functional departments of a dynamic and diverse staff.
• Demonstrated ability to support framework necessary for successful product management, such as budget oversight, financial business plans, and establishing product management systems for a group.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to travel nationally.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

a. "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (the Clery Act), the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://compliance.ucsc.edu/campus-safety-compliance/annual-reports/.

This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination