Senior Director, Product Management (, CA, United States)

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JOB POSTING
This position works remotely requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if they were working at the regular UCSC worksite.
NO VISA SPONSORSHIP IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS POSITION.
How To Apply
For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our website.

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)
UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.
The IRD for this job is: 3/31/2025
About Uc Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.
Department Overview
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 members (states and territories). Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension.
Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed - regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process.
UCSC Extension provides professional training that reflects the academic rigor of the University of California and the hands-on, roll-up-your-shirtsleeves practicality of Silicon Valley culture. Developed with guidance from key industry leaders and academic experts, our certificate programs match the economic demand of your industry, from engineering to business, education to bioscience. The University of California reviews and approves UCSC Extension courses and programs for academic content, merit and instructor qualifications. Many of our courses may be applied toward degree programs, or may be eligible for professional certificates and licenses.
More information can be found at Summary
The Senior Director of Product Management is responsible for identifying, recommending, developing, and maintaining the portfolio of products within the Smarter Balanced assessment system. Management responsibilities include developing the team's long-term vision and goals, policies, and procedures, as well as managing the daily operations involving staff, budget, resources, and multi-year product roadmaps.
The incumbent provides technical direction to project teams in building requirements, prioritizing roadmap products, conducting market/competitive research, and facilitating product development life cycle for Smarter Balanced summative, interim, and formative assessments (teacher resources).
It is critical and essential that this management position develops relationships and interfaces with Consortium members to establish a deep understanding of member needs and layered user personas to drive customer satisfaction and achieve organizational impact.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Budgeted Salary: $140,000 - $167,940/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.
Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits
Schedule Information

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day
  

Employee Classification: Career appointment
Job End Date: None
Work Location: Remote
Union Representation: Non-Represented
Job Code Classification: 005945 (PRODUCT DEV MGR 1) - Grade 26
Travel: Up to 25% of the time
Job Duties
50% - Product Strategy Relevancy

• In collaboration with executives and key stakeholders, develops, executes, and evaluates a strategic vision and roadmap(s) for Smarter Balanced products to expand membership/customers and usage of Smarter Balanced products across summative, interim, and formative assessment/instructional resources.
• Ensures through subordinates that varied and competing product requirements are met, including layered user/member needs and overall organizational strategy.
• Uses key performance metrics (including impact on teaching and learning) to measure and ensure the success of products; makes recommendations and/or changes to Smarter Balanced product content, features, partnerships, and strategy, accordingly.
• Designs and drives research efforts on users, markets, and competitors to drive product roadmap and improvements.
• Identifies and develops opportunities for improvement on matters concerning innovation, product investment, and/or customers; makes recommendations for review and consideration by Smarter Balanced's executive team.
  

50% - Product Development and Operations

• Manages the design and development of educational measurement products across a complex balanced assessment system, from project initiation and design to product release.
• Leads department staff in employing product management practices in the development of educational measurement products.
• Establishes department practices and systems for product management, including analytical frameworks for analyzing/prioritizing features, business plans, market/competitive analysis, innovation operationalization, creating user personas and stories, and collecting/analyzing user feedback.
• Plans, directs, and controls product management staff and budget, as well as prioritizes product spending and cross-functional resources.
• Develops and maintains liaisons with external membership advisory boards and represents products to the Executive Committee, membership groups, and K-12 educators.
• Manages product management staff in determining roadmap and requirements for reporting, content tools, and teacher resources across technology, content, and psychometrics.
• Establishes membership empathy and understanding that leads to product excellence.
• Leads and delivers membership conference presentations; provides go-to-market plans to promote public awareness of products or services, collaborating with marketing/communications staff.
• Establishes short- and long-term goals for staff; establishes and maintains an inclusive environment for fostering the growth and development of all department staff.
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Experience managing staff in the development, deployment, and servicing of complex products and product lines to meet the needs of educational customers.
• Recent experience working to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.
• Experience in effectively prioritizing and sizing product requirements, developing