Product Manager (IT)

Information Technology is responsible for the planning, implementation, operation and stewardship of Library technology systems and services. These include staff and public computers, networking and telecommunications services, enterprise applications, administrative systems, servers, cloud platforms and related technology infrastructure. The Department of IT Strategy, Policy & Insights partners with the Director of Infrastructure & Operations to transform IT to a business-oriented, product-managed and value-driven organization by providing vision and direction for IT products; developing policies and governance for how IT should be functioning; and measuring IT’s performance to ensure the continued delivery of value to the Library. The Product Manager conceives, defines, tests, delivers, monitors, refines and withdraws IT products to maximize business results. They have a unique mix of skills including strong time management and prioritization, excellent communication both verbal and written, and the ability to lead through collaboration with effective stakeholder management. They are able to work effectively with a wide range of teams - from business leaders to IT I&O technology teams - to drive product success. The Product Manager is able to code-switch effectively, fitting in with different groups, and have enough technical knowledge to engage effectively with IT I&O tech teams. They understand technical issues well enough to prioritize correctly between getting a new feature versus when to reduce technical debt or improve resiliency., * Collaborate with stakeholders to be able to build high-quality products for our patrons and library staff

• Operate between the business and product delivery team to conceive and deliver technology products.
• Work closely with I&O technology teams to convey the product vision, continuously verify that the product fulfills that vision as measured by customer value and business outcomes analytics and KPIs and help the team ensure it is building the right product.
• Research and define the customer segments served by IT products by developing a deep understanding of customer goals, the value customers derive from the product according to the Library’s business capabilities and technology strategies of the business domain.
• Analyze market trends and conduct “top down” competitive analysis to understand the current landscape, as well as “bottom up” understanding of our user needs.
• Maintain a full product life cycle perspective, and work to balance short-term achievements with long-term goals such as minimizing technical debt while maximizing resiliency.
• Define high-quality tests and products to determine valuable new features and products.
• Facilitate conversations with stakeholders to keep them informed on product progress, or define new business needs
• Identify and remove roadblocks to keep a project running smoothly
• Contribute to the product roadmap to define scope and future work
• Grow your skills by working with Senior Product Management staff to learn multiple methodologies and techniques to grow further your professional development

• Bachelor’s degree in technology, business, retail, psychology or related field, * Demonstrable ability to work on a deadline and be decisive about product scope, goals, user needs and resources, in order to meet product releases
• Data driven with strong analytical capability, able to define measurements of success and impact of a product
• Organized, focused, extremely detailed oriented and adept at prioritization
• Thoughtful problem solver, and a demonstrable ability to negotiate many stakeholder needs
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple technical and non-technical teams to develop goals and then aggressively pursue them with minimal supervision
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and users
• Mature, empathetic, enthusiastic, and adaptable in large collaborative environments
• Accountability and Professionalism - Demonstrates enthusiasm for and commitment to the position and accepts responsibility for personal actions
• Customer Service - Commits to meeting the expectations of internal and external customers. Listens and responds effectively to customer questions; resolves customer problems to the customer’s satisfaction; respects all internal and external customers.
• Collaboration and Teamwork - Supports a positive team environment in which members participate, respect and cooperate with each other to receive desired results.
• Job-Specific Knowledge and Skills - Plans, prioritizes, and organizes work effectively to produce measurable results; keeps current with and effectively applies new work

Preferred Qualifications

• Vendor management
• Project management
• methods, skills and technologies to complete work.
• Demonstrable leadership
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills, including the ability to work effectively with all levels of staff and users