Director Technical Product Management-Finance

We Impact Lives Through Purpose-Driven Work in A People First Culture

Ascend Learning, a leading healthcare and learning technology company, is the connection between a powerful portfolio of brands serving students, educators, and employers with outcomes-based, data-driven solutions across the lifecycle of learning. From testing to certification, Ascend Learning products are used by physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, allied health professionals, certified personal trainers, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers.

Headquartered in Burlington, MA, with additional office locations and hybrid and remote workers in cities across the U.S., Ascend Learning was recognized by Newsweek and Plant-A Insights Group as one of America’s 2025 Greatest Workplaces as well as America’s Best Places to work for Mental Well-Being for 2025.

We're always looking for talented, passionate professionals to join us in our mission to help change lives. If this sounds like an environment where you'd thrive, read on to learn more.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

The Director, Technical Product Management will lead the long-term strategy and evolution of critical finance technology capabilities, driving the transformation of legacy financial processes into scalable, future-ready platforms that fuel business value, customer outcomes, and operational excellence.

In this highly visible leadership role, you'll partner closely with product, engineering, and executive leaders to define strategic roadmaps, guide investment decisions on high-stakes financial systems initiatives, and lead a high-performing Technical Product Management team. The ideal candidate brings a unique blend of financial acumen, technical expertise, product strategy, market insight, and people leadership, with a passion for turning complex financial and operational challenges into scalable solutions that accelerate growth and innovation across the enterprise.

WHERE YOU’LL WORK

This position will work a hybrid schedule from our office location in either Leawood, KS or Burlington, MA strongly preferred. Remote work within the United States may be considered.

HOW YOU’LL SPEND YOUR TIME

• Guide the execution of long-term strategic capability roadmap across multiple capability areas in alignment with overall Ascend strategy and objectives and market trends. Ensure roadmap is inclusive of and enables clear implementation.
• Own execution and risk management for a high-visibility, critical-path ERP transformation spanning finance and cross-functional operations.
• Translate complex revenue recognition and financial consolidation requirements into sound system design decisions.
• Carry financial systems initiatives from build and testing through go-live and into long-term operational governance.
• Challenge legacy finance processes and design for future-state scale, rather than replicating existing system limitations in the new platform.
• Serve as the credible finance voice translating business requirements into a sequenced, executable technology roadmap, reducing rework and timeline risk.
• Bring deep expertise in capability to the enterprise. Act as SME for Ascend. Leverage market data trends and customer feedback to improve overall capability maturity and effectiveness as part of long-term roadmap, making data-driven trade-offs between product and core capability enhancements. Support efforts to ensure accurate and deeply connected integrated roadmaps.
• Own, oversee, and provide regular updates to relevant stakeholders on capability development. Present and communicate regularly with PDT leaders, category leaders and participate as an active leader in annual planning processes.
• Support TPMs in providing guidance to development teams responsible for capabilities build and maintenance. Plan, manage and prioritize features and PIs for agile development, as needed. Guide. Educate and support Product Delivery Teams as needed to ensure alignment to customer and strategic value/priorities.
• Retain and attract top talent to grow the TPM function and support the needs across capability areas. Mentor, coach and nurture the growth of a high performing team.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• High school diploma or GED required. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.
• 7+ years of combined finance and technical product management experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading high performing teams.
• Deep understanding of and hands-on experience working with enterprise ERP platforms required; experience with Workday strongly preferred.
• Background in Sales Operations, Finance, or Accounting, with public accounting experience and CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• Proven track record leading financial business process transformation and enterprise system implementation.
• Experience working in an agile environment is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with data analysis, market research related to SaaS/technology trends, and customer feedback methodologies to inform capability decisions.
• Proven ability in managing a complex strategic roadmap with multiple dependencies.
• Proven communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively collaborate with product teams, engineers, content teams, and other stakeholders.
• Proven expertise in capability area for which responsible (e.g., Assessment, Instructional Content)
• Ability to combine strong technical acumen with deep understanding of the customer/markets being served.
• Strong understanding of software development principles, technologies and agile methodologies.
• Proven expertise in making critical technology-related decisions and trade-offs to drive overall business value and capability effectiveness.
• Ability to align capability roadmap with product requirements and overall business objectives.
• Ability to derive insights from technical trends/capabilities to champion improvements to the capability.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong project management skills to oversee development of capability requirements.
• Ability to travel up to 15%.

HIRING RANGE

The current full-time, annualized base pay hiring range for this role is $162,300.00-$232,100.00. In accordance with applicable state laws, we are providing the expected pay range for this position. Individual compensation will be determined by various factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, current business needs and local market factors. Most regular, full-time employees are eligible to participate in an Ascend incentive bonus or sales plan.

BENEFITS

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Company paid life Insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Employee assistance program
• Other wellness programs such as Headspace and Airvet
• Charitable matching program

Fostering A Sense of Belonging

Our values-driven culture unifies our teams and inspires a mindset of action, innovation, and collaboration, with a relentless focus on customers. We seek out and celebrate all people and perspectives and cultivate an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive, feel valued, and be authentic. Our culture is firmly rooted in the belief that by embracing our differences and drawing on diverse perspectives, we are a stronger, more innovative, and more successful organization where employees experience a sense of belonging.

Ascend Learning, LLC is proud to be an equal opportunity employer (M/F/Vets/Disabled). No agency or search firm submissions will be accepted. Applications for U.S.-based positions with Ascend Learning, LLC must be legally authorized to work in the United States, and verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.