Principal Product Manager

Cengage Group

About The Position

We believe in the power and joy of learning At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education. Our culture values inclusion, engagement, and discovery Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/. As a Principal Product Manager, you will be a strategic leader driving the digital transformation and long-term product vision for the Cengage Schools K12 platform. You will play a pivotal role in shaping our digital strategy, fostering innovation, and delivering high-impact, customer-centric solutions that empower educators and students. Embracing the Silicon Valley Product Group’s Product Operating Model (POM), you will champion dedicated product development, lead cross-functional squads, and influence senior collaborators across the organization. You will be accountable for deeply understanding our users—educators, administrators, and students—and translating insights into strategic product decisions. Your role involves steering the product team towards continual discovery, prioritization informed by data, and agile delivery, all in alignment with broader business goals and market dynamics. The POM is designed to: Shift from delivering outputs to delivering outcomes. Align teams around enduring product areas with clear accountability. Accelerate delivery through empowered, cross-functional squads. Develop innovation through continuous discovery and learning. Empower teams to solve relevant problems with autonomy and purpose.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience; advanced degree preferred.
10+ years of experience in product management or related roles, with a strong track record of leading digital strategy and delivering successful products.
Deep understanding of modern product discovery and delivery practices.
Demonstrated skill in leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior collaborators.
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to make data-informed decisions in complex environments.
Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to articulate vision and inspire teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience in K12 education technology or adjacent markets is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead the digital strategy for the K12 platform, aligning product vision with business goals, customer needs, and market opportunities.
Partner with executive leadership to define strategic priorities and influence investment decisions across the portfolio.
Drive continuous discovery by synthesizing customer insights, market research, and data analytics to identify unmet needs and emerging trends.
Champion innovation by guiding rapid prototyping, experimentation, and iterative development with design and engineering.
Own the product roadmap, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, technical feasibility, and customer value.
Mentor and influence other product managers, fostering a culture of customer focus, collaboration, and excellence.
Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, design, marketing, sales, and customer success to deliver cohesive and impactful solutions.
Establish success metrics and monitor product performance to inform future enhancements and strategic pivots.
Represent the voice of the customer in strategic forums, ensuring that product decisions are grounded in real-world needs and experiences.
Navigate complex constraints across legal, privacy, finance, and operations to deliver compliant and scalable solutions.