Principal Product Manager

We believe in the power and joy of learning

At Cengage, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose – driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.  

Cengage's portfolio of businesses supports student choice by providing a range of pathways that help learners achieve their goals and lead a choice-filled life.  

Our culture values inclusion, engagement, and discovery

Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-belonging/.  

What you'll do here:

As Principal Product Manager for Cengage, you will lead the development and execution of product strategies, collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, and successfully implement world-class solutions that make learning experiences more connected, efficient, and insightful. The Principal Product Manager is responsible for outcomes delivery in the Product Operating Model, encouraging a high-performing product management team, and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development. If you are passionate about digital transformation and excited to compete in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, this role is made for you!  

Responsibilities:

• Product Operating Model Strategy and Vision: Lead a POM team in conjunction with design and engineering leadership. Drive continuous discovery processes to understand customer needs, identify problems, and find opportunities for innovation. Collaborate with business leaders and customers to align with business goals and customer outcomes.

• Product Prioritization: Shape initiatives based on measurable customer impact, business value, and technical feasibility. Shift from output-focused roadmaps to outcome-driven prioritization, ensuring that each product initiative is tied to business and customer success metrics.

• Product Management Leadership: Serve as a resource and exemplar for the change to the Product Operating Model and build a strong and collaborative culture. Align with the principles of high-performing product organizations.

• Data-Driven Leadership: Define clear metrics to measure team success. Continuously evaluate product performance, identify areas for improvement, and ensure accountability for results and advocate to leadership when investment is needed. Ensure value for Go-To-Market teams, including revenue goals, and develop appropriate metrics and tracking of launch initiatives. 

Skills you will need here:

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a comparable area, or equivalent experience.

• 10+ years of experience in product management

• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful product strategies.

• Experience in working with and motivating a distributed team.

• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Proven experience in successfully launching and scaling innovative products.

• Strong analytical and data-driven approach.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

• K-12 product experience or equivalent EdTech experience is a plus  

Cengage is committed to working with broad talent pools to attract and hire strong and most qualified individuals. Our job applicants are considered regardless of any classification protected by applicable federal, state, provincial or local laws.  

Cengage is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities including during our job application process. If you are an applicant with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in our job application process, please contact us at [email protected].  

About Cengage

Cengage, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education. 

Compensation

At Cengage Group, we take great pride in our commitment to providing a comprehensive and rewarding Total Rewards package designed to support and empower our employees. Click here to learn more about our Total Rewards Philosophy.

The full base pay range has been provided for this position. Individual base pay will vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location.  Sales roles often incorporate a significant incentive compensation program beyond this base pay range.

In this position,  you will be eligible to participate in the company’s discretionary incentive bonus program.  This position's bonus target amount, which is not guaranteed and is dependent on individual performance and overall company results among other factors, is provided below.