VP, Product Management for Higher Ed (Remote)

Cengage Group

3d • Remote

About The Position

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 the Vice President of Product Management for our Higher Ed business, you will have a key role in leading our organization's product strategy and driving customer and business outcomes. You will be responsible for leading a team of product managers and fostering a culture of customer-centricity, innovation, and collaboration. Your expertise in the Product Operating Model will be crucial in driving product development and enhancing the value of our offerings. What you'll do here:

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a comparable area, or equivalent experience.
• 12 years of experience in product management in a technology organization.
• In-depth knowledge and experience with the Product Operating Model, including leading empowered product teams and driving outcomes.
• 10 years of experience in product management leadership roles, with a track record of building and leading empowered teams.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proven experience in successfully launching and scaling innovative products.
• Strong analytical and data-driven approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree, such as an MBA, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Product Strategy and Vision: Collaborate with business leaders and customers to define a clear product vision that aligns with business goals and customer outcomes. Conduct continuous discovery processes to understand customer needs, identify problems, and find opportunities for innovation.
• Product Prioritization: Prioritize initiatives based on measurable customer impact, business value, and technical feasibility. Shift from output-focused roadmaps to outcome-driven prioritization, ensuring that each product initiative is tied to business and customer success metrics.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, design, marketing, and other teams to foster collaboration and empower product teams. Create an environment where cross-functional teams are aligned around customer outcomes and empowered to make autonomous decisions.
• Product Development Excellence: Establish robust discovery and delivery processes to validate product opportunities and iterate based on customer feedback and data. Implement scalable processes to continuously improve products post-launch.
• Data-Driven Leadership: Define clear metrics to measure product and team success. Continuously evaluate product performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure accountability for results and advocate to leadership when investment is needed.
• Product Management Leadership: Develop a team of skilled product managers who act as mini-CEOs for their products. Champion deep customer insight, business acumen, and technical proficiency within the team. Lead the team through the change to the Product Operating Model and build a strong and collaborative culture. Assess team performance, invest in professional growth, and align with the principles of high-performing product organizations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees