Product Manager

About IT Services

IT Services at The University of Manchester is a diverse, fast-moving department that provides the technology that helps the University further its world-leading reputation. We’re currently looking to recruit a new Product Manager for a fixed-term to join us on our journey. Find out more about our organisation and values:

• IT Services: About us
• ITS Practice Charter

The Team

The Teaching, Learning & Students IT Division is an integral part of the University's commitment to enhancing the educational journey. Our team is dedicated to developing and managing IT solutions that streamline and enhance student recruitment, academic progression, and administration, as well as student support services. We manage critical systems such as student records, student and applicant CRM, and the suite of Teaching and Learning delivery tools, ensuring they align with the University's strategic objectives.

The Role

The Product Manager in our Specialist IT Division will lead initiatives to develop and enhance IT solutions that directly impact teaching, learning, and student experiences. The role involves collaborative management and development of IT solutions, focusing on areas such as student recruitment, academic progression, and administration. Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the product lifecycle from conception to release, aligning with the University's strategic goals.
• Ensuring the solutions meet the needs of students and staff, focusing on usability, accessibility, and effectiveness.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including developers, designers, and stakeholders, to deliver high-quality IT solutions.
• Managing stakeholder expectations and prioritising product backlogs to balance innovation with practicality.
• Driving continuous improvement in IT services and processes, fostering a culture of creativity and problem-solving.

The Person
We are seeking a candidate with:

• Proven experience in product management within an IT environment, ideally in the higher education sector.
• Experience in managing ongoing enhancement of IT solutions including student systems of record, Virtual Learning Environments and Case Management.
• Strong understanding of the challenges and opportunities in student recruitment, academic progression, and administration, as well as delivering Teaching and Learning.
• Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to foster a high-performance culture within a team.
• Ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders to understand requirements and communicate progress.
• Experience with agile methodologies and product management tools for effective project prioritisation and management.
• Exceptional organisational and communication skills, with a focus on delivering results and enhancing student experiences.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

If you are interested in being part of our friendly and support Resource Management team, we want to hear from you. Please make sure that when applying for this role you address the criteria set out in the person specification, as well as the specific requirements and experience listed above.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Email: it.resource@manchester.ac.uk

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