Manager, Product Discovery Strategy (WGU Academy)

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Informing Product Research & Discovery

• Ensure that our product discovery processes include a strong "outside-in" view - i.e., sufficient market validation to support certificate/product scoping, pilot, launch, and/or enhancements. Where gaps exist, plan for appropriate research and/or data gathering to further the work of product discovery and scoping.
• Inform and influence the combined B2B and B2C research agenda (including scope of research needs, specific key questions of interest, and prioritization/timeline of research needs).
• Partner closely with other leaders across Academy and the WGU ecosystem to identify points of experimentation, learning, and future co-development.
• Push and develop the team's understanding of certificate product strategy, our competition, and the needs of our B2B target markets (and existing partners).
• Establish recurring, direct feedback loops through which we capture B-B input for potential future offerings (pre-concept).
• Stay abreast of industry, market, and competitive trends. Support efforts to keep the senior management team informed of key industry, competitive, and product trends.
• Provide guidance on product positioning and messaging, in close partnership with Marketing.

Lead and Mentor Team

• Lead a product discovery team; foster an inclusive, collaborative team culture. Hire, manage, and support the development of program managers to help enhance their skills and grow their careers.
• Coach the team of program managers who collaborate across WGU's ecosystem to design early-stage product concepts; influence prioritization, exchange ideas and learnings.
• Create clarity out of ambiguous problem spaces; quickly focus the team's effort in the most valuable direction.
• Develop a deep understanding of our target learners, and use that knowledge to identify areas of improvement, recommend, and implement data-backed improvements to in-market certificates.

Influencing Product Strategy & Prioritization across WGU Ecosystem

• Influence senior leadership team decision-making by crafting a compelling storyline for product innovations with actionable recommendations, backed by accurate and impactful data.
• Maintain and drive a strong product culture, road mapping, and prioritization process, proposing annual product roadmaps for WGU Certificates in partnership with WGU Schools.
• Partner with university deans and surrounding university leaders to represent the Academy product team on strategic product discussions and decisions.
• Balance fast-paced iteration and execution with a diligent and lasting focus on long-term impact. This means close partnership with design, engineering, and research teams to deliver well-crafted products in a highly iterative delivery approach.
• Determine optimal timing and sequencing for new product launches.
• Engage broadly across teams and functions such as Finance, College Leadership, Design, and Marketing to understand drivers of performance and collaborate on improving results.

Executive Communications & Special Projects

• Deliver compelling and inspiring presentations that effectively communicate research findings, strategic vision, and actionable recommendations, aligned with current organizational realities.
• Contribute to ad hoc partnership RFPs and commercial activities by providing strategic input and support for partner pitches and RFP responses.
• Strategically assess new product opportunities and evaluate their alignment with the overall product portfolio.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Possess a comprehensive understanding of the higher education market and WGU's target customers.
• Demonstrated proficiency in conducting market research and analyzing industry trends.
• Expertise in cross-functional collaboration and effectively communicating product vision, strategy, requirements, and timelines to ensure stakeholder alignment and shared understanding.
• Exceptional analytical skills to identify issues and propose solutions that balance customer needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.
• Advanced research and writing skills with the ability to clearly articulate complex concepts, ideas, and processes.
• Proven experience in managing stakeholders, including executive-level stakeholders.
• Thrives in dynamic environments, adept at handling shifting priorities and meeting aggressive deadlines while maintaining a commitment to excellence.
• Ability to elevate performance standards and inspire team members to achieve their highest potential.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or experience in lieu of education. (Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.)
• Five (5) or more years of professional experience focused on product strategy, product management, business strategy, or product development and innovation.
• 3+ years of experience in direct and/or indirect management of employees, contractors, or vendors, including leading and managing dynamic teams and interfacing with cross-functional business owners within a matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree preferred

• Five (5) or more years of experience interfacing with cross-functional business owners within a matrixed environment
• Experience working in workforce development, higher education, or educational technology are highly desirable.

Experience in lieu of education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Travel Requirements: Able to travel up to 20%.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are 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 or protected veteran status. #DEI