Director, Product Development

Director of Product Development
APEI 

The Director, Product Development (PDM) is a key operational leader responsible for owning the delivery of a product line within a specified domain and capability (e.g., CRM, LMS, Student Portal). The manager translates the product strategy into a tangible and executable roadmap and leads cross-functional agile teams to deliver technology solutions that achieve defined business goals. This role is the primary delivery owner, accountable for the quality, timeliness, and satisfaction of stakeholders for all product releases and enhancements. Translates domain strategy into executable roadmaps. Leads cross-functional teams to deliver technology solutions that achieve business goals.

The Director, Product Development will manage a team of technical product managers, analysts, engineers, and specialists, acting as the central point of accountability for both the delivery of projects and the strategic direction of the product/technology domain. 

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Product Roadmap Ownership: Define, own, and champion the product roadmap for a specific set of systems or services within the assigned domain.
• Stakeholder Partnership: Act as the primary liaison between the development teams and business stakeholders, translating stakeholder needs into a prioritized backlog of initiatives and features.
• Prioritization and Resource Management: Effectively balance and manage competing objectives, resources, and dependencies to maximize value delivery and business impact.
• Data-Informed Decision-Making: Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and data-informed decision-making to guide roadmap and prioritization efforts.
• Competitive and Market Analysis: Stay informed on market trends, competitor products, and customer needs to identify opportunities for innovation and product enhancements. 
• Tactical / Delivery Responsibilities
  • Agile Team Leadership: Manage and lead multiple cross-functional agile teams, including engineers, business analysts, quality assurance specialists, and designers.
  • Agile Process Management: Lead key agile ceremonies, including backlog refinement, sprint planning, and release management.
  • Execution Oversight: Monitor and oversee the health of product execution using relevant metrics such as velocity, capacity, quality, and risk.
  • Team Supervision and Coaching: Supervise and provide coaching and mentorship to Technical Project Managers and Scrum Masters to ensure consistent, high-quality output.
  • Delivery Accountability: Serve as the ultimate delivery owner for initiatives within a domain, holding accountability for the quality, timeliness, and overall satisfaction of stakeholders with each release

Requirements:

• 7+ years of experience in product development, product management, or a related role, with a strong track record of successful product delivery.
• Deep knowledge and hands-on experience with agile development methodologies, such as Scrum.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide cross-functional teams towards a common goal.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage diverse stakeholder relationships.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions.

Education:

Preferred but not required, bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, or related field.

Competencies:

• Communicates Effectively: Delivers clear, concise, and tailored communications through various modes (e.g., written, verbal, and visual) to meet the unique needs of diverse audiences.
• Customer Focus: Cultivates strong relationships with internal and external customers by actively listening to their needs and providing timely, customer-centric solutions.
• Demonstrates Self-Awareness: Regularly seeks and incorporates feedback from peers, leaders, and stakeholders to understand and address personal strengths and areas for growth.
• Ensures Accountability: Consistently meets deadlines and delivers on commitments, ensuring work quality and aligning with organizational standards.
• Team Leadership: Provides direction, support, and inspiration to team members, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and fostering a culture of accountability.
• Performance Management: Sets clear performance expectations, conducts regular check-ins, provides constructive feedback, and guides employees in achieving their individual and team goals.
• Talent Development: Identifies and supports the development needs of team members, offering coaching, mentoring, and opportunities for growth and career advancement.
• Workforce Planning: Manages team workloads, assigns responsibilities effectively, and ensures adequate resources to meet business objectives.
• Conflict Resolution: Addresses and resolves team conflicts constructively, fostering collaboration and mutual respect among team members.
• Compliance and Policy: Enforces company policies and procedures within the team, ensuring understanding and adherence to organizational standards and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic Alignment: Translates organizational strategies into actionable team objectives, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
• Managing Change: Guides teams through change and ambiguity by fostering adaptability, maintaining clear communication, and providing stability in shifting environments.
• Decision Making & Risk: Assesses and manages risks effectively while making informed, ethical, and timely decisions that align with business objectives.
• Collaboration & Impact: Builds strong relationships beyond the immediate team, working across departments and aligning efforts to broader organizational priorities.
• Innovation & Improvement: Encourages forward-thinking solutions, process improvements, and a culture of learning to enhance efficiency and team effectiveness.

About Us:

Online, on campus and in the workplace, we provide higher education and training to our country’s heroes – military service members, veterans, nurses, government employees, and motivated professionals that want to make a difference. American Public Education, Inc. educates service-minded students, ranging from the military, public service, federal agencies, and nursing communities, through American Public University System (APUS), Hondros College of Nursing (HCON), and Rasmussen University.

It is the policy of American Public Education, Inc. (APEI) to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons.  We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. American Public Education, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request.  Please send an email to recruiting@apei.com.