The Product Manager is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, development, and quality assurance of the institutions primary / core systems, including the Student Information System (SIS), Student Portal, Timetable System, Microsoft 365 and other key student and staff facing platforms. This role ensures that these systems meet institutional needs, adhere to high-quality standards, and are delivered efficiently. The Product Manager will work closely with team leads across Business Analysis, Development, Support, and BI/Database teams. This position is ideal for a strategic thinker with a strong background in product management and software development, looking to drive impactful improvements in an academic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Product Strategy & Planning:

• Develop and maintain a strategic roadmap for core systems aligned with institutional objectives.
• Define clear product goals, success metrics, and performance indicators.
• Prioritize feature development and system enhancements based on stakeholder feedback and institutional priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Requirements Management:

• Gather and analyze requirements from students, faculty, administrators, and other stakeholders.
• Translate business needs into functional specifications in collaboration with the Business Analyst Team Lead.
• Communicate system updates, roadmaps, and expected outcomes to key stakeholders.

Cross-Team Coordination & Delivery Oversight:

• Work closely with the Development Team Lead, Support Team Lead, and BI/Database Team Lead to align product development with institutional goals.
• Facilitate coordination between teams to ensure seamless product releases and system upgrades.
• Oversee the product development lifecycle, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.

Quality Assurance & Performance Monitoring:

• Establish and monitor KPIs related to system performance, usability, and adoption.
• Identify and mitigate risks that may affect system quality or delivery timelines.
• Ensure best practices in usability, security, and compliance are followed in system development and deployment.

Process Improvement & Innovation:

• Continuously assess and refine product management methodologies and workflows.
• Research emerging technologies and trends that could enhance core systems.
• Recommend system improvements to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in product management, software development, or IT project management, preferably within an academic or enterprise environment.
• Strong understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and managing multiple stakeholders.
• Sufficient development and technical knowledge in Oracle Forms and Reports, Oracle Database, SharePoint Online, Java, and PHP.
• Extensive experience working within a higher education institution, with a deep understanding of institutional processes and internal customer needs.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.

Preferred Skills & Competencies:

• Experience with academic or ERP systems.
• Knowledge of UX/UI best practices for web and mobile applications.
• Familiarity with data analytics, reporting tools, and business intelligence frameworks.
• Ability to balance technical and business priorities effectively.