Product Manager, Smarter Balanced

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Job ID: 88521

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: 9-16-2026

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 (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.

More information can be found at https://smarterbalanced.org

JOB SUMMARY

The Product Manager at Smarter Balanced is responsible for Lifecycle Management, including driving the end-to-end product strategy, requirements, and long-term integration roadmap for Tools for Teachers and assigned applications, while navigating complex variable factors and technical trade-offs.

The incumbent partners closely with consortium members to build deep insights into diverse user personas and needs, translating member requirements into solutions that elevate user satisfaction and deliver measurable educational impact. Internally, the position guides cross-functional and matrixed teams to successfully deliver high-impact products and enhancements on scope, schedule, and budget.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $99,040 - $106,400/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: TX Union

Job Code Classification: 005475 (PRODUCT DEV PROFL 3 TX)

Travel: Up to 25% of the time

JOB DUTIES

40% - Product Strategy and Relevancy

Leads roadmap planning and backlog refinement discussions for the Tools for Teachers product and other applications with members, various internal stakeholders, and the Director for Tools for Teachers.
Operationalizes requirements into a roadmap for Tools for Teachers product and other applications in partnership with content and technology teams; sizes and prioritizes enhancements with the technology team; and ensures roadmap alignment to member needs and organizational strategy.
Leads efforts in evaluating new technologies and industry trends as they emerge based on educational assessment market and competitive analysis; evaluates application to current Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers product.
Identifies emerging market targets and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across content and technology.
Monitors product and applications development life cycle in terms of both member satisfaction, technology, and content from initiation through delivery, interfacing on technical matters with SMEs and membership.
Interacts with executives on matters concerning innovation, product investment, and / or customers for Tools for Teachers and other applications.
Leads the identification of additional opportunities for value-added innovative product and service features and workflows based on customer / member interaction, market analysis, and feedback.
Identifies, organizes, and leads technical and educational discussions with key advisory groups and other customers / members.
Participates in the development of the organization's long-range strategic product plans for Tools for Teachers and other applications.
Identifies emerging market targets in accordance with the organization's strategic plans and serves as the primary contact and / or lead for discussions and negotiations, with support from technical SMEs across content and technology.
Establishes membership empathy and understanding that leads to product excellence.

40% - Product Development and Operations

Partners with technology team to balance roadmap requirements with ongoing member needs.
Collaborates with Project Management to develop project plans including goals, deliverables, resources, budget and timelines for launches of multiple Smarter Balanced Tools for Teachers products, services, and enhancements of diverse scope, size, impact and budget.
Assembles and leads cross-functional teams for assigned deliverables.
Demonstrates creativity and ingenuity in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions to complex design, financial, marketing, or administrative problems. Provides feedback on content prototype lesson design with Director of Tools for Teachers team for revised or new materials based on member input and market needs.
Creates metrics / key performance indicators and provides corresponding analysis / reporting.
Manages periodic content progress reports outlining key activities, risks / mitigation strategies, and progress toward achieving overall goals for member state educational agencies.
Ensures the preparation and maintenance of documentation including end-user documentation and release notes.

20% - Products Launch and Outreach

Acts as product / service liaison across the organization, external agencies, and members to ensure effective production, delivery and operation of new products, services and / or enhancements.
May conduct product or service training.
May provide educational and technical consultation to customers / members to ensure product reliability and responsiveness to problems, complaints and suggestions.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience and / or training.
Experience in Product Management or as a Product Owner.
Experience in driving a product enhancement roadmap and managing a product development life cycle for a product (content and technology preferred).
Experience ensuring that organizational policies, practices, services, and behaviors support and promote inclusion and collaboration among staff.
Experience in implementing contracts with state education agencies and / or school districts.
In your most recent position, engaged in work necessary to address the terms of a contract either as a direct service provider or part of an organization that provides products and services.
Advanced knowledge of the education market and a track record of understanding the needs of educational customers.
Advanced knowledge of product management and development concepts, practices, standards and processes (requirements gathering, user personas, competitive analysis, road mapping, software development life cycle).
Advanced understanding of how products and programs relate to the overall business strategy.
Advanced organization and project management skills to lead large or multiple cross-functional teams.
Advanced oral communication skills to effectively present, negotiate, convey and explain information.
Advanced written communications skills to draft clear, concise documentation, reports and specifications.
Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and feature/roadmap management software.
Proven ability to identify key issues critical to the organization's long-range success of a desired product or service.
Ability to lead, build consensus and promote the exchange of information among project team, internal and external constituencies. Leadership through influence skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Proven ability to research, collect and analyze information to use in determining product options or alternatives.
Experience creating business plans for products or enhancements.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
Ability to travel nationally.
Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
- UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
- UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
- Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (ASFSR) is available at: https://chancellor.ucsc.edu/annual-security-reports/.This report is published by October 1st of each year and includes current institutional policies and procedures concerning campus safety and security; fire safety and evacuation policies; sexual misconduct and relationship violence reporting and response protocols; and crime and fire statistics for the three previous calendar years. A paper copy of the ASFSR is available upon request by contacting the UCSC Police Department at 114 Carriage House Rd., Santa Cruz, CA 95064, or by calling 831-459-2231 Ext. 1.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS

View full job description and access on-line application:

https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psc/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&JobOpeningId=88521&PostingSeq=1&SiteId=11&languageCd=ENG&FOCUS=Applicant

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

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Product Manager, Smarter Balanced

Visa & sponsorship

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