Lead, Product Manager

Purpose of Position

The Lead, Product Manager leads the strategy, discovery, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of products that advance EdReports' mission. This role owns products throughout the product lifecycle—from identifying opportunities and shaping new product concepts to optimizing and evolving existing products based on user needs, organizational priorities, research, and data.

Working closely with cross-functional partners, including design, engineering, research, content, operations, marketing, and organizational leadership, the Lead, Product Manager translates complex problems into clear product strategies, priorities, and measurable outcomes. Depending on organizational priorities, this role may focus on creating new products, enhancing existing products, or balancing both responsibilities across a portfolio of products. This role specifically leads a portfolio of Research & Development (R&D) products that expand EdReports’ impact and strengthen how the field evaluates instructional quality. Initial priorities include leading the development of new products focused on instructional coherence and evidence of product efficacy.

Through user-centered design, evidence-based decision-making, and collaborative leadership, the Lead, Product Manager ensures EdReports delivers high-quality, impactful products that support educators and improve student outcomes.

Key Responsibilities & Outcomes

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end product lifecycle for one or more products or product portfolios, including discovery, strategy, roadmap development, delivery, launch, evaluation, iteration, and retirement, as appropriate.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities for new products, product enhancements, and continuous improvement based on research, user needs, organizational strategy, and data.
• Lead product discovery efforts by engaging internal stakeholders, educators, partners, and other users to understand needs, validate assumptions, and inform product direction.
• Translate research, user insights, organizational priorities, and business objectives into product vision, requirements, success metrics, and prioritized roadmaps and backlogs.
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams—including engineering, design, research, content, operations, marketing, and leadership—to deliver high-quality products that balance user value, feasibility, and organizational priorities.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate product performance, identify opportunities, measure outcomes, and inform future investment decisions.
• Navigate ambiguity by framing complex problems, evaluating tradeoffs, and recommending product strategies that align with organizational priorities and long-term impact.
• Communicate product vision, priorities, decisions, progress, risks, and outcomes to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Serve as a trusted product thought partner by influencing decision-making, strengthening product management practices, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.
• Embed Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity principles throughout product discovery, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Other relevant duties as assigned to support the organization's strategic goals, with the expectation that all EdReports employees remain flexible and adaptable to evolving responsibilities.

Outcomes:

First 30 days

• Build a strong understanding of EdReports’ mission, values, product portfolio, and strategic priorities, including the current product roadmap and backlog.
• Establish initial relationships with cross-functional partners and stakeholders (e.g., content leaders, subject matter experts, operations, technology, and leadership) to understand key dependencies, pain points, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Develop a working understanding of EdReports review tools, review processes, and reports.
• Stand up the Research & Design (R&D) team by developing a team charter, defining roles and responsibilities, and establishing collaboration norms, shared rhythms, and ceremonies.

First 60 days

• Synthesize research, stakeholder perspectives, and organizational priorities into an initial product vision, strategy, and roadmap for the efficacy and coherence initiatives.
• Develop a clear understanding of how the EdReports governance model interfaces with the R&D team’s work and decision-making processes.

First 90 days

• Build organizational alignment around product strategy by presenting clear recommendations, tradeoffs, and phased roadmaps for products emerging from the R&D portfolio.
• Communicate a clear product vision and early strategy recommendations that align with organizational goals and resource realities.
• Be recognized as a trusted, strategic, and collaborative partner across the organization, modeling EdReports’ core values and commitment to DBIE.

Qualifications

Required:

• Passion for EdReports’ mission and vision, our core values, and our commitment to Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion, and Equity.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible product management experience leading complex, cross-functional products or initiatives.
• Demonstrated success leading products through multiple phases of the product lifecycle, including product discovery, development, launch, evaluation, and continuous improvement. 
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous environments while balancing strategic thinking with execution. 
• Experience using product performance data, analytics, user research, and stakeholder feedback to prioritize work and measure success. 
• Experience identifying user needs, evaluating emerging opportunities, and defining product direction in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and build alignment among diverse stakeholders without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong background in research-driven and user-centered design, with a demonstrated ability to translate stakeholder and end-user insights into actionable product decisions.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., Product Management, Business, User-Centered Design or Education) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Residency in and authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred:

• Experience creating new products from concept through launch and/or managing mature products through ongoing optimization and enhancement.
• Experience in the education sector, nonprofit space, or an adjacent field involving curriculum development, reviews, evaluation systems, or research-driven product work strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies, Scrum, or other iterative product development frameworks and the ability to adapt these frameworks to a collaborative, equity-centered, and evidence-based environment.
• Experience collaborating closely with engineering teams to operationalize designs.

Salary

The salary for this position is $102,824 - $139,114 annually. At EdReports, we determine final salaries based on the role's requirements and the candidate's experience and skills, while maintaining equity within our compensation bands. To support fairness and provide opportunities for growth, we typically offer salaries at or below the midpoint of the range. All salary offers are non-negotiable to ensure consistency and equity across the organization.

Travel

National travel will occur related to organizational needs and for professional learning, as needed. The amount of travel will be monitored to ensure it is appropriate for both the organization and the Lead, Product Manager.

Benefits

We know the importance of living a fulfilling, healthy life–both professionally and personally. That’s why some of the benefits we offer include:

• Unlimited Discretionary Time Off (DTO) and Sick Time,
• 21 days of paid holidays and office closure days in 2026,
• Monthly Communications Reimbursement,
• Initial home office and technology setup stipend,
• EdReports pays for 90% of health care for both the employee and their immediate family, and
• 401k that new hires become eligible for after six months of employment (includes safe harbor, employer match, etc.).

Work Authorization Requirements

All EdReports employees must reside in and be authorized to work in the United States. EdReports does not sponsor employment visas, and we are unable to consider candidates residing outside the U.S.

Physical Requirements

Work is normally performed in a remote office environment including, but not limited to standing and sitting for long periods of time; and fine-finger and hand manipulation to operate a computer and keyboard. Employee is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing electronic information, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading. This person will travel by car, air, or other transportation (as indicated in the Travel section) and should be able to physically withstand the demands of such travel. Employee may be required to walk for long distances at retreat venues or other relevant sites.

Core Competencies

• COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, BELONGING, INCLUSION, AND EQUITY: Actively welcome diverse perspectives, center equity in decision-making, foster authentic and inclusive relationships that promote a sense of belonging, confront biases to build understanding, and continuously build knowledge of systemic inequities to inform behaviors that lead to an inclusive organizational culture.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Proficiently organize projects aligned with overarching objectives while proactively addressing challenges; ensure timely and high-quality fulfillment of responsibilities.
• COMMUNICATION: Effectively engage stakeholders, actively listen to others, convey information for desired results, and adapt style to foster relationships and trust.
• CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: Consistently reflect, seek feedback, and apply new insights; identify and implement solutions that enhance individual, team, and overall performance.
• CORE EXPERTISE: Possess skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform essential duties; keeps knowledge current; utilize multiple points of view to achieve goals and is a subject matter resource for others.
• ORGANIZATIONAL STEWARDSHIP: Cultivate external relationships, uphold policies, leverage historical insights, actively participate in organizational improvement, and adapt to align with the needs of the organization.