Senior Product Manager

About the Role

You will oversee the development and execution of strategy for the Secondary Maths portfolio of brands; series and products and draw on market research and in-depth market knowledge to produce market winning propositions (print and digital) in line with the product strategy for Secondary and to be accountable for the commercial success of products and for driving growth in relevant market segments.

In addition, you will maintain a deep and up-to-date customer and market understanding to anticipate future market trends and needs (short, medium and long term), and drive creativity and innovation to support Secondary Maths product strategy as well as contribute to informing the development of ED-UK growth strategy and support ED-UK initiatives that will increase revenue, market share and profitability and create new revenue streams.

Duties will include:

Strategy and Market

• To maintain an in-depth knowledge of the education landscape, market, practice in schools and competitor activity at all times, to identify opportunities. Lead on shaping the strategy for Secondary Maths series/brands/products, as well as contributing to strategic decisions across the wider STEM portfolio. Spearhead the research and development of new and/or updated products and services that meet customer needs and business objectives, including turnover.

Product Management Skills and Best Practice

• Monitor products for the Secondary Maths brands/series to identify challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed. Manage and develop products through the full product lifecycle in conjunction with sales and marketing. Lead on shaping new product proposals and demonstrate highly effective commissioning, author management and problem-solving skills.
• Work effectively with sales and marketing to develop clear and powerful product positioning and messages to ensure that products have strong customer appeal, to maximise sales, respond to market trends and ensure teacher and learner needs continue to be met.

Project Management

• Work with editorial and product delivery colleagues to determine best resourcing options and workflows on new projects; proactively anticipate issues, demonstrate creative problem-solving and management skills to ensure timely, efficient delivery, on budget, of appropriate quality products to meet the needs of the customer.

Author and Partner Management

• Build strong relationships with high-profile authors, experts and partner organisations to get the best out of them. Build a network of expert and practitioner contacts and strive to identify and nurture new and diverse authors, advisors and contributors.

Financial Management

• Define and agree overhead budgets and lead on project costings for Secondary Maths portfolio, brands and series, maximising financial viability, in order to gain publishing meeting approvals. Work with colleagues to maintain awareness of, and to achieve, financial targets and to devise new ways to drive value and improve profitability across the list.

Communication and Teamwork

• Demonstrate highly effective inter-departmental communication skills; act as the product owner and champion for your series/products so that you are able to inspire and catalyse support from other departments and motivate individuals and teams to deliver the best outcomes for customers and the business.

We operate a hybrid working policy that requires a minimum of 2 days per week in the Oxford office.

About You

• A strategic, creative and innovative mindset.
• A strong background in the development of educational product and strategy.
• A deep understanding of the needs of Secondary Maths teachers and learners.
• A good understanding of the UK’s Maths curriculum, accountability measures and experience of managing authors, experts and/or strategic partnerships in this area.
• A track-record of having successfully implemented complex print and digital products that have driven share and profitable revenue growth.
• Excellent leadership, management, negotiating and influencing skills.
• Understanding of learning trends and pedagogy.
• Experience of teaching or curriculum development at secondary level is desirable.
• An understanding of how AI can be used in the secondary level context to reduce teacher workload and improve teaching and learning is desirable.

Benefits

We care about work/life balance here at OUP. With this in mind we offer 25 days’ holiday that rises with service, plus bank holidays and Christmas closure (3-days) and a 35-hour working week. We are open to discussing flexibility in respect to working patterns, dependent on role. We also have a great variety of active employee networks and societies.

We help make your money go further by contributing to your pension up to 12%, offering loans and savings schemes through our partnership with Salary Finance, in addition to travel to work schemes and access to a wide range of local discounts.

This role comes with the added benefit of a discretionary annual payment.

Please see our Rewards and Recognition page for more information.