Product Manager

About Us:

Join the team at OpenDrives, a data services company that is dedicated to solving complex technology problems with innovative yet practical solutions. Our customers range from Hollywood blockbusters, to medical imaging specialists, to academia, and everything in between. Our company's core values are summed up in the word OPEN, which stands for open-mindedness, persistence, effectiveness, and nimbleness. We are looking for empathetic, self-starting professionals who are passionate about exceeding customer expectations and who thrive in a collaborative, supportive environment. If you're a curious listener, with a commitment to excellence, and want to be part of an organization that is dedicated to solving real-world data management challenges, we invite you to apply to join our team today.

About the Role:

The Product Manager role focuses on the tactical implementation of long-term corporate and product strategy. A Product Manager works with the Manager, Product Management to develop strategic vision into distinct products, software development initiatives, and technical solutions. The Product Manager is responsible for developing business cases into granular requirements defining the features and functions which engineering then develops.The role also helps to manage roadmaps, assist with associated project planning, and iteratively communicate these tactical efforts to key stakeholders including the Sales team, CX support team, Marketing, and especially Engineering through product ownership activities. The Product Manager must be able to serve as a Product Owner who works with the Engineering teams daily to develop all initiatives through Agile story development and Scrum-based interactions with software development teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following satisfactorily; other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Build out comprehensive requirements from approved business cases in conjunction with the Manager, Product Management.
• Engage with market and user research to inform Product development priorities
• Devise product and solution roadmaps in conjunction with ongoing engineering efforts and roadmaps to ensure complete synchronization across Product and Engineering.
• Provide hands-on support in all product ownership efforts in creating implementation plans and Agile stories with software development teams.
• Provide ongoing assurances internally and externally that Product is hearing, considering, prioritizing, and implementing requirements so that high-value software capabilities support ongoing sales and the corporate business plan.
• Work closely with the entire Product team to assist Sales with prospective customers' requirements and then to feed those requirements into all Product processes and workstreams.
• Keep apprised of all engineering development efforts and support issues and serve as a communications hub for all key stakeholders on escalated issues.
• Assist in the further development and evolution of Product Management processes

Competencies and Skills:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following.

• Mid-level familiarity with some or all product disciplines, including product strategy, product marketing, and product management/product ownership.
• Familiarity with other core stakeholder groups, including Sales, Solutions Architecture, Engineering, and/or CX support.
• Familiarity with Kubernetes is highly desirable
• Experience in working with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Effective communications and interpersonal skills with both technical and business-oriented personnel.
• Ability to convert technical concepts into non-technical business-focused concepts, and vice versa.
• Empathetic and supportive interpersonal style that puts the focus on empowering employees, eliminating obstacles to their success, and always ensuring that efforts and initiatives support the corporation's goals and well-being.
• Strong ability to serve as an advocate of the customer as well as Sales, Product, and Engineering.
• Ability to serve as a brand representative for both internal and external audiences, evangelizing the company's products and service offers through marketing and outreach efforts.

Education and Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years in software or technology-related companies with 2 or more years of hands-on Product experience (product strategy, product marketing, and/or product management) is desirable.
• A four-year degree in a technical, business, or communications field is highly desirable except in cases where extensive work experience provides these necessary skills.
• Experience managing technical initiatives is highly desirable.
• Desire to work with and support upper management/senior leadership level is a plus
• Hands-on field experience in customer support, solutions architecture, or sales is also a plus

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear; stand and walk. The employee must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.

Benefits

We have some awesome perks if you want to work with us.

• Incredible vacation policy and flexible schedule
• Great health, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer and Employee Paid Life Insurance & AD&D Options
• Voluntary Short & Long Term Disability Options
• Flexible Spending Account/Health Savings Account Options
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(k)
• Cell Phone and Internet Allowance
• Options for hybrid remote/office work, or full remote
• A culture of empathy and empowerment

Pay Scale Disclaimer

The hiring salary range for this role is $110, $115,000.00 USD annually.

Please note that the compensation information provided is a good faith estimate for this position only and is provided pursuant to the California Salary Transparency in Job Advertisements Law. OpenDrives takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the California Law, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

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