eCornell Associate Product Manager (Hybrid)

at  Cornell University

DEPARTMENT SUMMARY

As Cornell University’s online learning unit, eCornell delivers online professional certificate courses to individuals and organizations around the world. Courses are personally developed by Cornell faculty with expertise in a wide range of topics, including data analytics, management, marketing, human resources, leadership, and STEM. Students learn in an interactive, small cohort format to gain skills they can immediately apply in their organizations, while earning a professional certificate from Cornell University. eCornell has offered online learning courses and certificate programs for 15 years to over 130,000 students at more than 2,000 companies.

THE OPPORTUNITY

If you are highly motivated, possess a growth mindset, and are driven to succeed, we want to hear from you! The ideal Associate Product Manager possesses excellent communication (both written and oral) and time-management experience, is highly organized, and has technical curiosity. We are seeking a candidate for this position who has a drive for results and can work in a high-stakes and innovative environment. This person has an outstanding aptitude to find solutions to intricate problems, identify opportunities, and translate qualitative and quantitative feedback into product requirements and actionable insights. A deep knowledge of the value of a product for the consumer is highly desired. Preferred candidates have professional experience in project management including creating project plans, reporting on project status and providing succinct updates to stakeholders.
The Associate Product Manager will aid the maintenance, development, and deployment of eCornell product offerings. This person is comfortable with the many facets of technology, and while not an expert in any one domain, can research, digest, and develop insights to inform our product roadmap. They will provide assistance in creating programs that assist Cornell University to help ensure we are delivering cutting-edge products. The Associate Product Manager will collect and incorporate customer feedback into our products to keep them current to meet our market needs.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Coordinate the execution of new product development through launching the product, including project and program management.
• Conduct market research, focus groups, and surveys to help determine the viability of new content and to keep current content up-to-date.
• Independently collect and analyze data from user testing and customer feedback to recommend new features and products.
• Oversee multiple previously established projects at once while also supporting and coordinating new project and initiative activities with internal cross-functional teams.
• Coordinate and act as a liaison between multiple internal teams during the course of product development, deployment and ongoing maintenance.
• Support conversations with faculty members and assist in informing direction for eCornell and Cornell hybrid professional masters programs.
• Create stakeholder reporting decks and communications to provide routine information and updates relative to project activity, general project management, and financial status.
• Draft and review standard contracts and agreements for content development that protect faculty IP and outline resource and financial implications for the department and University
• Assist in the coordination of specifications, resourcing, and project timelines for various content development and special projects.
• Participate in product presentations for the cross-functional teams on new products and features.
• Work with the creative services group to ensure the ongoing integrity and brand standards in all products.
• Coordinate as needed with relevant Marketing and Sales resources to ensure successful product launches.
• Identify and conceptualize improved user experiences; including graphical user interface, page layout design, interactivity, and flow.
• Provide technical assistance by responding to inquiries regarding errors, problems, or questions with online learning products as needed.
• Actively engage with learning products created by competitors for benchmarking purposes.Stay apprised of broader developments in the online learning marketplace - via competitive analysis and student engagement
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• and leverage this intelligence in product strategies.

• Communicate effectively, with purpose to support positive cross-team collaborations
• Effectively and independently represent eCornell in interactions with Cornell faculty and staff.

What you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Outstanding presentation and interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate persuasively and concisely in speech and in writing.
• Must be a decisive, action-orientated, and highly-motivated individual.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated analytical skills.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment is crucial.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and staff to create a results-driven, team-oriented environment with proven ability to communicate cross-functionally and work effectively on teams.
• Tech savvy and demonstrated willingness to learn about new technologies.
• Understanding of product development processes and agile work environment.
• Based in Ithaca or surrounding area with ability to work in office on a semi-regular basis
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Google suite

IF YOU HAVE ALL THOSE THINGS, GREAT! WE HAVE A FEW MORE THINGS THAT WE WOULD PREFER YOU TO HAVE, BUT IT’S OK IF YOU DON’T.

• 1-4 years’ experience preferably in education or online learning
• Experience conducting sound market research and student feedback
• Exposure to Salesforce, LMSs, Student Information Systems and Marketing Automation tools is a plus.
• Experience with or exposure to Product Management.
• 2+ years’ experience in managing complex projects.
• Experience evaluating and recommending improvements to interactive and user experience design concepts.
• Experience with agile development practice.