ABOUT US
Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1000 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.
If you are an experienced Senior Product Manager professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Senior Product Manager.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the Product Strategy team, and in coordination with the Senior Director of Product Strategy, the Senior Product Manager will play a leading role in delivering Common App’s programs, products, and services that positively impact students’ ability to access, afford, and attain postsecondary education. This role will leverage market and user research to identify new opportunities to improve student access, and collaborate with internal and external partners in the strategic development, enhancement, and execution of new solutions that move data between partner systems and Common App to facilitate streamlined application, form submission, and other processes.
Mission-driven and passionate about addressing complex problems in college admissions, this person will lead cross-functional teams in identifying, defining, and prioritizing product features that meet the needs of our diverse user base using techniques grounded in an approach to product management and project management. Additionally, this person will determine metrics for success, capture and analyze results, and present findings for additional discovery and consideration.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
This role requires:
- Candidates must live in the United States.
- Bachelor’s degree with at least 5-7 years of product management experience or a combination of experience in product design, agile delivery, business analysis, strategy consulting, or software engineering.
- Demonstrable experience launching successful technology products.
- Familiarity with competitive analysis and development of business cases.
- Experience working in or around the college admissions process with a firm understanding of education technology trends and practices.
- Visionary thinker; the ability to develop and articulate a compelling product vision aligned with organizational goals and mission.
- Strategic mindset; the ability to anticipate industry trends, user needs, and technological advancements to shape a forward-thinking product strategy.
- Analytical acumen; the ability to use data-driven insights to inform decisions and solutions.
- Significant experience working with data and information systems to map, align, and/or transform data
- Agile or other project management methodology experience with the ability to manage initiatives that span several areas of the organization.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate product updates and milestones to key stakeholders and the ability to gain support for strategic initiatives in a collaborative and diverse environment.
- An innovative mindset and the ability to foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement while leading teams through organizational changes and transformations.
- Proficient in using collaboration tools such as Slack, Google Workspace, and Atlassian (e.g., Jira).
The ideal candidate will possess:
- Subject matter expertise in application platforms, student pathways, and/or K12 to higher ed enrollment.
- Understanding of K12 enterprise data systems or similar data platforms
- Understanding of data privacy regulations, particularly as it applies to the K12 sphere including FERPA and state policies
- Experience in an enrollment management-focused technology company or a postsecondary enrollment management role.
- Certifications or coursework relevant to product management, including Agile Certified Product Manager and Product Owner, Human-Centered Design, or Pragmatic Certified Product Manager
- A passion for higher education is a plus.
PAY RANGE
$110,581 - $124,404
Benefits
Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:
- Work-Life balance
- Virtual-first office
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Seven company-wide holidays
- Nine floating holidays*
- Sick leave
- Monthly mental health day
*floating holidays prorated depending on start date
- Virtual-first support
- Choice of PC of MAC laptop
- May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
- One-time office set-up stipend
- Monthly remote work stipend
- Monthly mobile stipend
- Financial security
- Market-based salaries
- Performance-based bonus
- 403(b) retirement plan
- 5% company contribution
- additional 5% company match
- 3-year vesting schedule
- Participation may begin immediately
- Health & wellness
- Choice of two health insurance plans
- Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
- Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
- Company provided life and AD&D insurance
- Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
- Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
- Career development
- Budgeted annual funds for professional development
- Growth opportunities within the company
- Additional perks
- Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
- Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
- Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
- Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
- 1Password family account
We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.
HOW DO I APPLY
To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.
