Portfolio Product Manager, Secondary

Company: Cengage Group
Location: Atlanta
Posted on: May 28, 2023

Job Description:

We believe in the power and joy of learning
At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose - driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.
Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discovery
Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-diversity/ .
What you'll do here:
As the Product Manager for our Secondary Education, National Geographic Learning business, you will define the overall product strategy for a suite of Social Studies products for the K12 market. A Product Manager is the specialist in their market, the problem solver for the learner, and the leader of their product team across Cengage! You are accountable for the entire lifecycle of your products. To achieve these goals, you are an integrator, leading a cross-functional team by encouraging a creative and collaborative environment aligned toward a collective mission. You are consistently problem solving, and actively considering the expertise of all team members! You will work on high priority, high-visibility social studies products for our Secondary/K12 business.
You build your product strategy by developing hypotheses, evaluating data, analyzing market and competitive trends, testing ideas in the market, iterating, and ultimately making product decisions based on evidence and insights. While keeping in alignment with business priorities, you take customer needs from concept to launch, focusing on timely delivery, holistic product quality, and an effective learning experience.
Responsibilities:

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  Develops a clear understanding of the Cengage ethos and embodies these attributes
  
  
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  Credible relationship builder with high integrity who successfully influences partners and team members to creatively develop differentiated products
  
  
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  Structures operational and critical initiatives by developing work plans, collecting and synthesizing relevant data, leading analyses and executing recommendations
  
  
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  Ultimately accountable for overarching holistic product strategy to which all product team members will contribute in specific ways through clear results based on expertise
  
  
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  Develops, implements and iterates product and portfolio strategy based on deep market mastery - trends, customer needs and challenges, and competitive landscape, and aligned with overall corporate strategic direction to deliver desired business metrics
  
  
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  Provides team leadership as an integrator across a functional unit team, bringing the team together toward a unified strategy and a common mission, facilitating effective communication and crafting trust
  
  
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  Applies excellent project management skills, organization, and clear communication to drive decision-making and progress throughout product development lifecycle in coordination with other team members
  
  
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  Balance experience, market knowledge, and insights based on data to make impactful decisions and long-term plans
  
  
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  Sets clear objectives and timelines for achieving landmarks to release a product to market on time and within scope, balancing priorities and urgency as needed
  
  
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  Work in partnership with colleagues from other functions (Content, Production, Technology and Marketing to ensure successful launch, positioning, and delivery of the product line to the marketplace
  
  
  Skills you will need here:
  
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    Bachelor's Degree
    
    
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    Minimum 3 years in product management, marketing, strategic pricing, product development, brand management, consulting, or other relevant management role
    
    
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    Cross-functional team management and leadership experience
    
    
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    Excellent at developing and articulating vision and strategy that meet business goals
    
    
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    Effective communication and collaboration skills with demonstrated writing and verbal skills; honed interpersonal skills
    
    
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    Self-disciplined with a high degree of accountability
    
    
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    Strong financial analysis and modeling skills and an understanding of business metrics
    
    
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    Natural curiosity and willingness to learn paired with a desire for continuous improvement
    
    
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    Demonstrated writing and verbal presentation abilities enabling them to prepare and present information and recommendations to a diverse and often senior audience
    
    
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    Expected travel 25% of time
    
    
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    Proficient with Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
    
    
    Personal Attributes
    
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      High degree of accountability
      
      
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      Highly analytical
      
      
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      Strong drive for results
      
      
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      Comfort with and eagerness to tackle ambiguous problems
      
      
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      Interest and / or previous experience in education and/or software, and/or publishing industries a plus
      
      
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      Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build working relationships with all levels of management and stakeholders
      
      
      Preferred
      
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        Master's Degree
        
        
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        3 years minimum cross-functional team leadership experience
        
        
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        Experience bringing new technology products to market
        
        
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        Experience with agile development processes and recurring release cycles
        
        
        Cengage Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. You may view Cengage's EEO/Affirmative Action Policy signed by CEO Michael Hansen (https://p.widencdn.net/pdvq6j/EEO_Policy_Statement_January_2017) and Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law notice (http://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/cengage/ybs5gt19ik/eeopost-merged.pdf) by visiting their corresponding links.
        Cengage Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at accommodations.ta@cengage.com or you may call us at +1 (617) 289-7917.
        About Cengage Group
        Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.
        Base Pay Range
        The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location. Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.
        $73,400.00 - $117,400.00 USD
        Cengage Group , a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms.
        We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.

Keywords: Cengage Group, Atlanta , Portfolio Product Manager, Secondary, Executive , Atlanta, Georgia