Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization

Western Governors University; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 161,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

Healthcare package

HSA/FSA

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Retirement plan

Wellbeing program

Tuition discount

Flexible PTO

Job summary

Western Governors University is seeking a Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization, to own strategy and execution of marketing optimization capabilities across the learner journey from website engagement to application submission.

The role combines deep product management with technical acumen to drive measurable business outcomes within a complex marketing tech ecosystem. Hybrid in-office work in Salt Lake City is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• 8+ years as Software Product Manager or Product Owner.
• Professional Product Certification (CSPO or Pragmatic Marketing).
• Experience in agile environments.
• Deep understanding of Service Oriented Architecture.
• Knowledge of cloud technologies and scalable, secure platforms.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking about product architecture and business goals.
• Experience with marketing optimization platforms and analytics tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage strategic product roadmaps aligning with business objectives and user needs.
• Collaborate with engineers, architects, designers, and stakeholders to define requirements and deliver solutions.
• Lead marketing optimization initiatives to improve funnel performance and conversions.
• Create shared outcomes across teams and influence cross-functional work.
• Define product release strategies and ensure readiness with partners.
• Monitor product performance using analytics and KPI measurements.
• Lead ROI analyses and technology modernization planning to support long-term strategy.

Skills

Product Management

CSPO

Pragmatic Marketing

Agile

SOA

Cloud computing

Architecture design

Technical communications

Leadership

Marketing optimization

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

Education Technology experience

Tools

CSPO certification

REST APIs

Job description

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career. Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is: Grade: Technical 411 Pay Range: $161,000.00 - $249,500.00

Job Description

As a Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization, you will own the strategy and execution of marketing optimization capabilities that support the learner journey from website engagement through application submission. This role combines deep product management expertise with strong technical acumen to drive measurable business outcomes across a complex marketing technology ecosystem. You will partner closely with stakeholders across marketing, security, architecture, engineering, analytics, and product teams to prioritize investments, optimize funnel performance, and deliver scalable platform solutions that support university goals.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and manage strategic product roadmaps that align business objectives, user needs, and technology capabilities.
• Partner with stakeholders, engineers, architects, designers, and end users to identify problems, define requirements, and deliver impactful solutions.
• Lead marketing optimization initiatives focused on improving funnel performance, conversion metrics, and business outcomes.
• Create shared outcomes across multiple teams and influence work beyond direct ownership to drive customer impact.
• Define product release strategies and ensure readiness across business and technical partners.
• Monitor product performance through success metrics, analytics, and data-driven decision making, adjusting priorities when needed.
• Lead research efforts, business case development, ROI analyses, and technology modernization planning to support long-term product strategy.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 8 years of experience as a Software Product Manager or Product Owner.
• Professional Product Certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Pragmatic Marketing).
• Experience working in agile environments.
• Possesses a deep understanding and technical background in Service Oriented Architecture.
• Understands the scope of cloud computing and how to work with software architecture to identify best practices for delivering high-scale, reliable, sustainable, and secure platforms.
• Ability to create design artifacts that provide visual and narrative detail of architectural requirements, decisions, and designs.
• Ability to communicate technical issues, business requirements, and value-based outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices.
• Knowledge of programming languages, databases, cloud technologies, and software development methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions regarding software architecture and development.
• Ability to think strategically about product architecture and align technology investments with long-term business goals.
• Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership instincts with a positive team-building approach.
• Strong passion for exploring and understanding large-scale cloud platform requirements.
• Experience with large enterprise platforms and integrations.
• Experience with marketing optimization platforms and technologies such as marketing automation platforms, analytics tools, customer data platforms, CRM platforms, campaign management tools, or business intelligence solutions.
• Experience using data, analytics, and KPI measurement to prioritize work and drive business outcomes.
• In Lieu of Education Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education, and is at the hiring manager's discretion.
• Bonus Points Master's Degree.
• Experience in Education Technology.
• Experience with enterprise marketing optimization strategies, funnel metrics, and revenue-focused product initiatives.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration. We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, UT office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours):

• eligible for bonuses
• medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare
• health savings account and flexible spending account
• basic and voluntary life insurance
• disability coverage
• accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages
• legal and identity theft coverage
• retirement savings plan
• wellbeing program
• discounted WGU tuition
• and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual
• flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual
• 11 paid holidays
• and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave

The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.

In 1997, a coalition of 19 U.S. governors founded Western Governors University with a singular vision: to make higher education more accessible by offering full degree programs online. Starting small, we quickly expanded. Today, we’re one of the largest accredited online universities in the U.S.