Early Childhood Administration Product Group Manager / Product Management Director – Children, Youth & Families Department, St. Paul, Minnesota (Telework Eligible).
Role Overview
This senior product and people leader supervises 5‑9 product managers and drives the strategic direction and delivery of a portfolio of digital products within the Early Childhood Administration. The role builds a multidisciplinary digital services organization, aligning product management, UX/UI design, content strategy, instructional design, and change management to deliver modern, human‑centered digital services that improve program integrity, enhance user experience, and advance equitable access for Minnesotans.
Responsibilities
- Supervise, coach, and develop 5‑9 product managers.
- Own end‑to‑end product lifecycle: discovery, design, delivery, adoption, and sustainment.
- Create and maintain product vision, roadmaps, and execution artifacts such as plans and communications.
- Embed human‑centered design and data‑informed decision‑making throughout the product process.
- Ensure cohesive, accessible, and effective digital experiences at scale in a regulated environment.
- Coordinate cross‑functional teams, stakeholders, and change management initiatives.
- Translate policy, operational, and user needs into clear product direction.
- Oversee quality assurance of product deliverables and mitigate product and delivery risks.
- Communicate and tell stories that align teams, executives, and external partners.
- Manage complex stakeholder environments, influencing without authority and managing up.
Minimum Qualifications
- Leadership experience (e.g., supervisor, team lead, project lead, or completed a Minnesota leadership program such as ELI or L4).
- Five years of experience overall, with at least two years of product‑leadership experience leading cross‑functional product management teams.
- Three years of experience performing product‑related work.
- People‑leadership experience that demonstrates the ability to support and coach individuals.
- Ability to translate product strategy into execution artifacts such as roadmaps, plans, and communications.
- Demonstrated linkage of product strategy, user experience design, and adoption/change management.
- Experience overseeing end‑to‑end product lifecycle with complete user experiences, not just technical features.
- Experience managing quality assurance of product deliverables and mitigating product/delivery risks.
- Experience navigating complex stakeholder environments, influencing without authority, and managing up.
- Strong communication and storytelling skills that align internal and external audiences.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience leading design‑forward product organizations.
- Experience integrating UX design, content strategy, and training into product delivery.
- Experience owning product strategy and delivery across multiple products or platforms.
- Experience with service design or end‑to‑end journey mapping.
- Public sector experience or experience supporting public sector clients.
- Experience with legislative processes, including drafting budget and policy proposals, fiscal notes, and talking points.
- Experience supporting diverse populations, including accessibility and language considerations.
- Experience working effectively with diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Experience managing vendors or external partners.
Additional Requirements
- Background investigation (reference check, criminal background check, fingerprinting, driver’s license check, personnel file review). Additional assessments may be required during the interview process.
Benefits
- Paid vacation and sick leave; 12 paid holidays per year.
- Low‑cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans (including fertility, diabetes, and orthodontic care for adults and children).
- Six weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children.
- Retirement pension plan after at least three years of service.
- Employer‑paid life insurance.
- Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
- Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care.
- Various wellness resources and well‑being programs.
Employment Equity
Minnesota state agencies are equal‑opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran‑friendly employers. We encourage persons of color, Indigenous communities, LGBTQIA2S+ community members, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other protected characteristic.
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