Lead Product Manager, Reporting

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 Resources on our Talent Acquisition website. 

• How to Apply
• Troubleshooting
• Tips for Applicants
• FAQ’s

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD.  Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant’s behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link .

The IRD for this job is: 03/18/2024

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 13 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.

Smarter Balanced’s 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. SBAC involves 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 demands of 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 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 Lead Product Manager, Reporting uses advanced knowledge of product and service development practices to resolve a wide range of complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors. They oversee the roadmap and development of multiple or large products and enhancements of diverse scope, size, impact, and budget within the Smarter Balanced Reporting suite, customized reporting tools for states. Demonstrates creativity and ingenuity in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to complex design, financial, marketing, or administrative problems. Builds requirements, prioritizes roadmap enhancements, creates long-term development plans (e.g., API), and facilitates the product development life cycle of aspects of the reporting product. The incumbent interfaces with membership to establish a deep understanding of member needs and layered user personas to drive customer satisfaction and achieve business impact. Manages product development work through matrixed staffing resources.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $101,100 – $142,500/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: 000620 (PRODUCT DEV PROFL 4)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% – Product Strategy and Relevancy

• Leads efforts in evaluating new technologies and industry trends as they emerge based on educational assessment market and competitive analysis. Evaluates application to current Smarter Balanced Reporting suite.
• Identifies new member state targets and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across content and technology.
• Leads vision discussions for State Reporting products with executives and Senior Product Manager, Reporting.
• Operationalizes vision into the roadmap for State Reporting products across user experience and technology. Sizes and prioritizes enhancements; and ensures roadmap alignment to organizational strategy.
• Identifies additional opportunities for value-added innovative product features based on customer / member interaction, market analysis, and feedback.
• Monitors products’ development life cycle in both technology and content from initiation through delivery, interfacing on technical matters with SMEs and membership.
• Interacts with executives on matters concerning innovation, product investment and / or customers for reporting products.
• Leads the identification of additional opportunities for value-added innovative product and service features and workflows based on customer / member interaction, market analysis, and feedback.
• Participates in the development of the organization’s long-range strategic product plans for the Reporting suite, including the potential integration of new technology partners.
• Identifies emerging technology partners in accordance with the organizations strategic plans and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across user experience and technology.
• Establishes membership empathy and understanding that leads to product excellence.

40% – Product Development and Operations

• Collaborates with Project Management to develop project plans including goals, deliverables, resources, budget, and timelines for launches of multiple Smarter Balanced state reporting products, services, and enhancements of diverse scope, size, impact, and budget.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to design, financial, marketing, or administrative problems.
• Assembles and leads cross-functional teams for assigned deliverables.
• Demonstrates creativity and ingenuity in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to complex design, financial, marketing, or administrative problems.
• Creates metrics / key performance indicators and provides corresponding analysis / reporting.
• Manages periodic content progress reports outlining key activities, risks / mitigation strategies, and progress toward achieving overall goals for member state educational agencies.
• Ensures the preparation and maintenance of documentation including end-user documentation and release notes.

20% – Product Launch and Outreach

• Develops go-to-market plan and participates in marketing and professional outreach activities and informational campaigns to raise awareness of reporting products.
• Provides educational and technical consultation to customers / members to ensure product reliability and responsiveness to problems, complaints, and suggestions.
• Acts as product / service liaison across the organization, external agencies, and members to ensure effective production, delivery, and operation of new products, services and / or enhancements.
• Conducts product trainings as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Product Management, Product Owner, or Program Manager experience.
• Education market expertise and track record in understanding the needs of educational customers.
• Advanced knowledge of product management and development concepts, practices, standards, and processes (requirements gathering, user personas, competitive analysis, road mapping, software development life cycle).
• Demonstrated ability to identify key issues critical to the organization’s need and the success of a desired product, service, and enhancement.
• Proven ability to identify key issues critical to the organization’s long-range success of a desired product or service.
• Proven ability to research, collect and analyze information to use in determining product options or alternatives.
• Advanced understanding of how products and programs relate to the overall business strategy.
• Experience in driving a product enhancement roadmap and managing a product development life cycle for a product (content and technology preferred).
• Advanced organization and project management skills to lead multiple cross-functional teams.
• Advanced oral communication skills to effectively present, negotiate, convey and explain information.
• Advanced written communications skills to draft clear, concise documentation, reports and specifications.
• Ability to lead, build consensus, and promote the exchange of information among project team, and internal and external constituencies. Leadership through influence skills.
• Experience in communicating outcomes and technical details to executives and nontechnical audiences.
• Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and feature/roadmap management software.
• In your most recent position, engaged in work necessary to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience ensuring that organizational policies, practices, services, and behaviors support and promote diversity among staff.
• Experience in implementing contracts with state education agencies and/or school districts.
• Experience creating business plans for products or enhancements.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• 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 overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.