Product Manager

Lumos Networks Corp.•Charlotte, NC

44d

About The Position

The Product Manager is responsible for managing the product life cycle of 3 products at various stages of development. This role is essential in shaping the vision, strategy, and execution of Segra's telecommunications products. The ideal candidate should have a collaborative mindset with a technical background. The Product Manager will ensure timely and clear coordination across multiple departments by fostering cooperative and respectful relationships. This role also involves providing pre/post-sale support across more than 20 states, including Enterprise, Carrier, Government, Education, Channel Partners, and Agent verticals. The Product Manager will think strategically and work collaboratively with team members to ensure successful product management and launches. Occasional travel may be required. The Product Manager will demonstrate and/or provide support to the Organization by overseeing the following operational tasks: Business Operations Engage with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback, prioritize projects, and ensure alignment with business goals. Collaborate with relevant organizations to develop market and competitive intelligence. Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive continuous improvement. Maintain an in-depth understanding of product technology, pricing, and market trends for each assigned product. Participate in and occasionally organize Quarterly Department Meetings to proactively share product updates, identify potential challenges, discuss improvement areas, highlight available training, review product strategy, explore new feature ideas or product interests, and ensure alignment. Product Life Cycle Manage all phases of the product development life cycle, which includes concept/research, planning/design, financial modeling, project scope, development/testing, release/launch, analyze/evaluate, maintain/support, enhance/evolve, and end-of-live/sunset. Evangelizes products internally, encouraging greater familiarity and provides detailed training how to position the service, its competitive advantages, and capabilities. Collaborate in a unified cross-departmental manner with Sales Engineering, Network Engineering, Network Operations Center (NOC), Project Management, Procurement, Outside Plant, Carrier Relations, and Legal to properly define product requirements and deliver an innovative solution that will meet customer expectations. Oversee the development of connectivity and communication solutions, including 5G and Packet Core technologies. Ensure all telecommunications products adhere to the highest security standards, including compliance with industry regulations and best practices. Educate sales engineers and sales teams on product-related sales requirements, including communicating the value proposition, competitive positioning, how to demo the service, and the capabilities to incorporate the product into solution designs. Instruct other departments such as the NOC, field services, provisioning, etc. on how to install, deploy, and support the service. Coordinates product launch with Marketing, Sales, Engineering departments and all other relevant segments. Document and prepare items such as workflow, systems requirements, regulatory, taxation, and billing. When required, assist with product retirement or alternate vendor considerations. (SONET, TDM, DSL) Serve as a cross-functional team leader and responsible for all aspects of assigned products. Marketing and Technical Writing Review and edit technical portions of marketing collateral, sales slicks, blogs, and webpage content. Assist with technical responses for strategic sales opportunities and RFP's. Provide direction on special MSA or SLA product requests. · Assume role of verbal and written spokesperson for seminars, conferences, and trade shows. · Create white papers, guides, product definitions, competitive data sheets, training, presentations, videos, etc from scratch.

Requirements

Associates degree in Information Science, Computer Science, Business Administration, Engineering or equivalent combination of industry experience and education. Bachelors degree or advanced technical degree is a plus.
Telecommunications, Project Management or Business certificates are preferred (PMP, Six Sigma, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, MEF, CC, CCSP, CISSP, CompTia A+ and/or Security+, Fortinet NSE 1-3, Etc.)
Minimum of 3 years of prior demonstrated experience working with knowledge of the OSI model and supporting Metro Ethernet, Transport Delivery, IP Based Services, Cyber/Network Security, Data Center, Private/Public Cloud Environments, SDWAN, Wi-Fi or Voice/Collaboration related services (Hosted PBX, SIP Trunking, PRI, UCaaS etc).
Possess an understanding of critical infrastructure and application environments within production networks.
Provent comprehension of Telecommunication business practices, process flows, and operational understanding of order processing, provisioning, and installation steps to activate services.
Experience navigating complex vendor selection, contract language, and negotiations.
Must be proficient with Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, Power Point).
Must have excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to manage large cross-functional teams.
Strong communication skills, including writing and public speaking, are essential.
Ability to maintain multiple schedules and project plans while working independently without daily guidance.
Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Comfortable with in-depth technical discussions and capable of having credible conversations with engineers about design options.
Strong abilities to develop and maintain both internal and external relationships.
Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and acts as a trusted leader.
Ability to successfully navigate ambiguous situations.
Intense focus on executing commitments, meeting deadlines, and being accountable.
Adopts new processes, procedures, and expectations with an optimistic and positive outlook.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors degree or advanced technical degree is a plus.
Telecommunications, Project Management or Business certificates are preferred (PMP, Six Sigma, CCNA, CCDA, CCNP, CCDP, MEF, CC, CCSP, CISSP, CompTia A+ and/or Security+, Fortinet NSE 1-3, Etc.)

Responsibilities

Engage with internal and external stakeholders to gather feedback, prioritize projects, and ensure alignment with business goals.
Collaborate with relevant organizations to develop market and competitive intelligence.
Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive continuous improvement.
Maintain an in-depth understanding of product technology, pricing, and market trends for each assigned product.
Participate in and occasionally organize Quarterly Department Meetings to proactively share product updates, identify potential challenges, discuss improvement areas, highlight available training, review product strategy, explore new feature ideas or product interests, and ensure alignment.
Manage all phases of the product development life cycle, which includes concept/research, planning/design, financial modeling, project scope, development/testing, release/launch, analyze/evaluate, maintain/support, enhance/evolve, and end-of-live/sunset.
Evangelizes products internally, encouraging greater familiarity and provides detailed training how to position the service, its competitive advantages, and capabilities.
Collaborate in a unified cross-departmental manner with Sales Engineering, Network Engineering, Network Operations Center (NOC), Project Management, Procurement, Outside Plant, Carrier Relations, and Legal to properly define product requirements and deliver an innovative solution that will meet customer expectations.
Oversee the development of connectivity and communication solutions, including 5G and Packet Core technologies.
Ensure all telecommunications products adhere to the highest security standards, including compliance with industry regulations and best practices.
Educate sales engineers and sales teams on product-related sales requirements, including communicating the value proposition, competitive positioning, how to demo the service, and the capabilities to incorporate the product into solution designs.
Instruct other departments such as the NOC, field services, provisioning, etc. on how to install, deploy, and support the service.
Coordinates product launch with Marketing, Sales, Engineering departments and all other relevant segments.
Document and prepare items such as workflow, systems requirements, regulatory, taxation, and billing.
When required, assist with product retirement or alternate vendor considerations. (SONET, TDM, DSL)
Serve as a cross-functional team leader and responsible for all aspects of assigned products.
Review and edit technical portions of marketing collateral, sales slicks, blogs, and webpage content.
Assist with technical responses for strategic sales opportunities and RFP's.
Provide direction on special MSA or SLA product requests.
Assume role of verbal and written spokesperson for seminars, conferences, and trade shows.
Create white papers, guides, product definitions, competitive data sheets, training, presentations, videos, etc from scratch.