Platform Product Manager

Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K–12, professional and library markets worldwide. The company provides superior content, personalized services and course-driven digital solutions that accelerate student engagement and transform the learning experience.

Cengage Learning is looking for an experienced Product Manager who is passionate about building products that customers love. The Platform Product Manager, K12 School will join a dynamic, fast-paced environment and work with cross-functional teams to design, build and roll-out platform updates and features that deliver the company's vision and strategy for the K12 market. The Platform Product Manager will ensure that new or enhanced platform functionality meets wide-ranging K12 market needs while also being extensible to accommodate individual product needs. The role includes requirements aggregation, synthesis and prioritization across product teams that leverage the learning platforms to deliver their products. Therefore, strong collaboration and constituent management skills are vital.

The Platform Product Manager will be responsible for validating product ideas by conducting market research supported by iterative reviews of plans and work-in-progress with customers and product teams. This individual will develop or already have acquired expertise in the assigned functional area by staying abreast of industry trends, competitor capabilities and new entrants in the educational technology space. * Manage, prioritize and execute the learning platforms’ roadmap in close coordination with K12 product teams designing, building and enhancing products delivered on these learning and courseware systems. * Develop story maps, detailed user stories, and other requirements artifacts to support the development process. * Responsible for the successful delivery of software development projects and accountable to others for maintaining scope and meeting established timelines. * Serve as an internal and external Cengage platform product evangelist, occasionally working with sales and key customers. * Ensures that all go-to-market activities are executed according to plan including sales-enablement training, release communications, and product documentation. * Fulfill the role of Product Owner in regular standup meetings, iteration planning and iteration reviews. * Provides the Product, Technology, Sales and Marketing organizations with visibility into the backlog of platform projects and incremental enhancements. * Develop effective relationships with Product Teams and Engineering Managers to understand, influence and coordinate on projects related to the assigned functional area.

* Bachelor’s degree; concentration in Education, Computer Science, Engineering or equivalent preferred * Minimum 3 years’ experience as Product Manager of a software application * Demonstrable record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle * Solid technical background with understanding and/or hands-on experience in software development and web technologies * Ability to present ideas and plans clearly, and confidently to all levels of management and customers * Strong collaboration and constituent management skills * Experience and expertise in K12 digital learning products or comparable as well as a strong understanding of the K12 education market. * Technical background with experience in the use of (OER) Open Education Resources, content rights management, and instructional design * In-depth familiarity with Agile software design, development and release practices * Excellent customer service attitude, communication skills (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills * Proven ability to participate effectively and influence cross-functional teams without formal authority * Ability to manage multiple projects during the same time period effectively * Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills * Ability to make timely and sound decisions * Detail oriented * Must be able to travel 20% of the time * Passion for education and specifically for digital learning products.