Product Manager

Role Description

We're seeking an experienced Product Manager to lead Vajrayana Online (VOL), our Buddhist online subscription program. VOL serves practitioners who are deepening their engagement with the Path of Liberation and exploring traditional Buddhist teachings through courses, live events, and a vibrant learning community.

As Product Manager for VOL, you'll be responsible for driving the product vision, strategy, and execution for a subscription offering that serves students across the entire journey from those exploring Buddhism for the first time to advanced practitioners completing the five levels of the Path of Liberation and beyond. You'll work within a cross-functional team and report directly to the Chief Product Officer.

This role requires balancing mission impact with financial sustainability, making data-informed decisions while honoring the spiritual nature of the teachings, and navigating the unique tensions of offering paid dharma education in the modern world.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Strategy & Vision
  • Own the VOL OKRs, product roadmap, and backlog, ensuring alignment with Tergar's 2026-2029 strategic priorities and the broader Tergar Flywheel.
  • Define and track north star metrics and KPIs across the full user lifecycle: acquisition, activation, retention, referral, and revenue.
  • Translate organizational objectives and student needs into prioritized product initiatives with clear success criteria.
  • Balance competing priorities: dharma purity vs. commercial sustainability, growth vs. deepening engagement, innovation vs. operational stability.
  • Support leadership in creating and managing the budget.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
  • Lead the VOL product team in a collaborative, product-led culture, working closely with Marketing, Design, Engineering, Program Development, Student Outreach & Support, Translation, and Events.
  • Facilitate prioritization discussions and build consensus across stakeholders with diverse perspectives and constraints.
  • Champion user-centered thinking and data-informed decision-making throughout the organization.
  • Communicate product strategy, progress, and impact to the leadership team (Executive Director, COO, CTO, CPO).
• Execution & Delivery
  • Work with the project manager to manage and prioritize the product backlog using established frameworks and tools (Asana, PostHog, HubSpot, Learnworlds).
  • Work with the product team to scope, specify, and ship high-quality features and improvements.
  • Conduct user research, interviews, and feedback analysis to understand student pain points and opportunities.
  • Run experiments and A/B tests to validate hypotheses and optimize key conversion points.
  • Monitor product health through analytics dashboards and user feedback channels.
  • Assess and approve expenses and own team budget-related decisions.
  • Keep the team informed and in sync with organizational direction and changes.
• Growth & Optimization
  • Optimize onboarding flows, pricing strategies, and content discovery to reduce friction and increase engagement.
  • Support the 2026 strategic focus on strengthening pricing and revenue stability while maintaining accessibility.
  • Collaborate with Marketing on acquisition campaigns, partnerships, and positioning strategies.
• Student Journey Integration
  • Ensure VOL serves as a coherent offering within the complete Tergar student journey.
  • Design experiences that honor where students are coming from (JOL graduates, practitioners from other sanghas, spiritual seekers) and where they're heading.
  • Work with Events and Community teams to create seamless transitions between digital courses, live retreats, and in-person gatherings.
  • Support pathways for long-term engagement, including transmission teachings and opportunities for service (teaching, volunteering, donating).

Qualifications

• 3+ years of product management experience with demonstrated ability to own and drive product strategy, roadmap, and execution.
• Proven track record of using data and user research to inform product decisions and measure impact.
• Strong cross-functional leadership skills with experience building alignment across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication abilities: You can translate complex concepts for different audiences (technical teams, leadership, external partners) and tailor your approach based on who you're presenting to.
• Self-sufficient in remote work environments: You thrive with autonomy, manage your time effectively, and proactively communicate progress and blockers.
• Systems thinking: You understand how individual features and initiatives fit into larger user journeys and organizational goals.

Requirements

• Experience with online learning platforms, subscription products, or membership communities.
• Background in nonprofit organizations and understanding of the unique constraints and values of mission-driven work.
• Familiarity with product analytics tools (PostHog, Mixpanel, Amplitude) and marketing platforms (HubSpot).
• Experience working in resource-constrained environments where prioritization and ruthless focus are essential.

Bonus

• Personal connection to Tergar: Familiarity with the teachings of Mingyur Rinpoche or experience as a student in Tergar programs.
• Buddhist background: Working knowledge of Buddhist philosophy, practices, or traditions (any lineage).
• Knowledge of meditation instruction, contemplative education, or spiritual development programs.
• Experience with Learnworlds, ChargeBee, or similar learning/subscription platforms.

Location & Schedule

• Remote position - Candidates may be based anywhere in the Americas (USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, etc.).
• Time zone requirement: Must work in US-based CT or EST business hours for team coordination.
• Part-time: 20 hours per week, Contract role.
• Requirements: Reliable internet access and dedicated workspace.