Product Manager

Job Title

The Work Unit

The Colorado State Public Health Laboratory (CSPHL) provides accurate, timely, and reliable scientific laboratory testing to support public health surveillance, diagnostic services, and epidemiologic investigations. The laboratory plays a critical role in responding to communicable disease outbreaks, bioterrorism and chemical terrorism threats, and in safeguarding food, water, dairy products, and the environment. CSPHL also conducts newborn screening in strict accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements, ensuring quality, safety, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness across all services.

The Laboratory Data and Informatics Unit delivers end-to-end support for laboratory data systems, providing expertise in data integration, system configuration, custom development, and seamless laboratory instrument connectivity. The unit manages the full system lifecycle, including customer onboarding, data visualization, and ongoing optimization, while serving as the primary bridge between the laboratory and the Office of Information Technology (OIT) through its Business Technology Liaison and Product Owner roles. It leads IT project initiation and oversight, manages software and hardware procurement, and serves as the final authority for reviewing and approving IT deliverables. To sustain reliable and modern operations, the unit proactively reduces technical debt, governs data systems and ensures all systems meet OIT and departmental standards for security, accessibility, and modernization.

What You Will Do:

This position provides strategic, operational, and project leadership for the State Public Health Laboratory's laboratory data systems, ensuring they are reliable, compliant, and aligned with public health priorities. It serves as the central authority for product direction, system performance, and stakeholder alignment—translating complex laboratory and program needs into effective technology solutions while overseeing project delivery, vendor coordination, and ongoing system operations. Through a combination of governance, execution, and continuous improvement, the role ensures laboratory applications consistently support critical public health functions, user needs, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Strategy, Governance & Stakeholder Alignment

Driving the strategic direction and reliability of CDPHE's laboratory data systems, this position translates complex operational needs into user-centered solutions that support the state's public health mission. The position centers heavily on robust data governance , establishing frameworks that enforce compliance with data standards, security expectations, and regulatory obligations to safeguard system integrity. Central to this mission is proactive stakeholder engagement : the role bridges laboratory leadership, program partners, external vendors, and end-users through transparent communication channels and structured feedback mechanisms. By acting as a dedicated advocate for user workflows, this position continuously integrates diverse feedback into actionable, prioritized backlogs and long-term product roadmaps. Ultimately, this role balances immediate operational demands with long-term strategic vision, delivering scalable, defensible data products through strong cross-functional alignment and shared accountability.

Project Management

Leading the end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of laboratory data system initiatives, this position applies project management methodologies to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and aligned with operational priorities. Responsibilities include developing comprehensive project plans, tracking milestones, and coordinating cross-functional internal teams and external vendors to mitigate risks and sequence dependencies. The position maintains transparency through key project documentation—such as charters, decision records, and executive status updates—while actively overseeing the operational stability, testing, and regulatory compliance of active applications. Crucially, the role carries authority for release go/no-go decisions, balancing system enhancements against the need to preserve uninterrupted laboratory operations. By proactively resolving vendor disputes, managing system incidents, and enforcing strict quality standards, this position ensures seamless service continuity, data integrity, and reliable support for core public health functions.