VP, Product Management

NWEA™ is a research-based, not-for-profit organization that supports students and educators worldwide by creating assessment solutions that precisely measure growth and proficiency—and provide insights to help tailor instruction. For 40 years, NWEA has developed innovative Pre‑K–12 assessments, including our flagship interim assessment, MAP® Growth™, our progress monitoring and skills mastery tool, MAP® Skills™, and the OECD Test for Schools (based on PISA). Educators trust our professional learning offerings to accelerate student learning and our research to support assessment validity and data interpretation. Our tools are trusted by educators in 140 countries and more than half the schools in the U.S. Job Description Position Summary Reporting to the Sr. Vice President, Product Management and Publishing, the Vice President of Product Management is a key senior‑level leader. The position provides strategic leadership for Product Management, creating multi‑year, integrated, enterprise‑level product and solution vision and strategies for NWEA’s product portfolio. It requires a deep understanding of the educational ecosystem and related markets, and the ability to translate organizational strategies into tangible product and business planning requirements, artifacts and initiatives used by the enterprise to execute and deliver compelling products and services in a complex marketplace. The role ensures product vision and results align with the organizational mission and meet internal and external goals for revenue generation, profitability and partner satisfaction. Responsibilities Product Strategy Lead the creation of product portfolio vision and strategy to support NWEA’s vision. Drive and facilitate the planning process to provide focus and alignment on critical strategies and resultant products and services that delight partners. Identify opportunities for improvement and incorporate new business and product features on an ongoing basis. Evangelize product or services strategy, vision and value proposition with internal and external stakeholders. Collaborate with alliance partners to ensure joint service and offering alignment and uninterrupted market delivery. Business and Planning Provide leadership, mentoring and management to assigned directors and staff, nurturing growth in product management processes and performance metrics. Engage partners (customers) and prospects to assess needs, identify opportunities and build dynamic product enhancement relationships. Interact with product user groups, industry leaders and learning communities to stay abreast of industry changes and influence policy. Optimize product line profitability through value‑based pricing, production efficiency recommendations and competitive market intelligence to improve partner retention and satisfaction. Review and report on P&L at product, bundle and portfolio levels for all products and services. Build cross‑functional team collaboration experiences on a real‑time and strategic basis. Attend key industry conferences, capture strategic takeaways and socialize information within the Product Management team. Execution Develop and direct a high‑performance product management team of directors and their staff charged with optimizing the organization’s portfolio of products and services. Drive clarity of purpose and role for all functions and activities. Qualifications Skills and Abilities Lead and drive toward NWEA’s vision and mission by developing world‑class products and refinements without being confined to traditional market‑driven analysis. Effectively lead high‑performing teams and nurture talent. Lead in a dynamic, fast‑changing environment, demonstrating strong drive for results and execution. Partner with clients and staff, maintain long‑term supportive and collaborative relationships. Establish priorities and results within the team and cross‑functional teams, managing multiple complex technical requirements on time. Make timely decisions and deliver results through effective implementation of scalable processes. Establish a business case for products, processes, metrics and margins that justify resource requirements. Strong written and oral communication, creativity, flexibility and comfort leading through ambiguity. Consistent, proactive, healthy cross‑functional communication that motivates team and business relationships. Drive results and work effectively across multiple groups. Influence, persuade and negotiate to support product roadmap and organizational initiatives. Identify, maximize and leverage internal and external resources to meet objectives. Sound business judgment and financial knowledge, including reading financial statements, managing P&L and delivering margin forecasts. Solid understanding of technology, including Business Intelligence and analytics. Travel up to 25% as required. Perform physical and intellectual requirements of the role, with or without accommodation. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in education, technical, or business discipline or equivalent experience; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Ph.D.) preferred. Minimum ten years’ experience in product management, development, marketing or related discipline within the education industry, with at least five years in progressive product leadership. Solid knowledge of product lifecycle management processes, including requirements definition, business plan development, new product introduction, etc. Domain knowledge of the assessment and related services marketplace and the broader educational marketplace. Experience with all aspects of go‑to‑market planning and launch. Demonstrated success in developing and launching complex technology products and software offered in a SaaS model. Certified and proficient with Pragmatic or 280 group Product Management frameworks or similar. Investment and budget optimization and P&L management for new and existing products and professional staff. Additional Information NWEA’s benefits package includes employer‑paid medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums; company‑paid public transportation, indoor bicycle racks, and free on‑site parking; and a 15% annual employer contribution toward our 403(b) retirement plan. Employees receive 4 weeks PTO in the first year, 5 weeks after the first‑year anniversary, and 6 weeks after the second‑year anniversary, with flexible work schedules. EEO Statement NWEA is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. For more information on your EEO rights under the law, please visit the EEOC website. #J-18808-Ljbffr NWEA