Software Product Manager

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

The Software Product Manager position at WGU is the entry level technical product position. The expectation is not that you have mastered the product management experience but that you have the raw materials to become a great product manager. You will work closely with a senior-level product manager to learn how to conduct research and extract the right insights from the data. You will learn about the strategy of the product and the goals of the business. Such collaborative work will help prepare you to contribute to the teams roadmap gain alignment across the organization and become well-versed in the product vision and strategy.
We value the experience being proactive and innovative in past projects as well as a knack for leadership design and strategic problem solving. We look for entrepreneurial individuals with strong technical understanding product sense analytical ability clear communication skills and who are results oriented.
We look for candidates who can demonstrate a history of delivering outcomes through a partnership with design engineering and the business. Someone who as an excellent storyteller can represent the interests of the users they serve and influence teams to generate the outcomes that resolve their most pressing problems. We look for candidates who are collaborative by nature empathetic to users and are most likely to garner the trust of the stakeholders they serve.

Job Duties

• Works in an agile environment fulfilling the role of Product Owner and continuously refines and prioritizes the backlog. Balances stakeholder priorities with product health needs to maximize value and minimize risk.
• Engages a cross-functional team of stakeholders end-users engineers UX designers and Product & Portfolio leaders to understand the problems to solve inform the product vision and define software product requirements.
• Delivers on and supports communication of the software product roadmap based on the strategy problems to solve and stakeholder priorities defined by senior members of the product team.
• Collaborates with the Scrum team to translate the product roadmap into well-defined features and a deep product backlog of sprint-ready user stories with clear acceptance criteria to deliver on the roadmap.
• Participates and presents in planning activities and steering committees as needed.
• Defines and surfaces risks assumptions and trade-offs associated with product features to guide prioritization decisions.
• Maintains knowledge on assigned product(s) including the technology used integrations and dependencies. Understands the latest relevant technologies vendors innovations and forward-thinking trends.
• Participates in RFI and RFP vendor selection process.
• Demos working software and facilitates effective sprint demos to stakeholders.
• Ensures product quality by testing software features to ensure they satisfy the acceptance criteria and works with stakeholders and end users to coordinate user acceptance testing activities.
• Provides support to product release activities including documenting software release notes and coordinating change management to increase product adoption.
• Actively participates in the urgent resolution of any high impact production issues.
• Maintains and builds relationships with business owners stakeholders team members and key vendors.
• Communicates constraints conflicts requirements compatibility issues and items which could affect project outcome final performance level or product efficacy. Offers appropriate alternatives and contingency plans.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KSAs

• Excellent written oral presentation and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable with ambiguity and prepared to act with incomplete information
• Thrives working collaboratively as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to focus on specific tasks/details while not losing sight of the larger goal
• Leadership skills with the ability to effectively influence persuade and negotiate
• Understanding of technical concepts and ability to communicate them to non-technical audiences
• Exhibits excellent judgment
• Ability to maintain high standards. Is never satisfied with the status quo
• Strong attention to detail and a feeling of pride and ownership over the quality of our products
• Ability to redirect conversation to the problems to be solved and outcomes to be accomplished before jumping to solutions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelors Degree
• 3 years of experience as a Software Product Manager or Product Owner
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters Degree
• Experience in Education Technology
• Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) or other equivalent certification (e.g. Pragmatic Marketing)

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.