Senior Product Manager

SANS Institute

$155K — $175K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of product management experience, especially with complex technical products
  • Experience leading product strategy for cloud-based SaaS or infrastructure solutions
  • Strong understanding of the software development lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Proven track record in managing cross-functional initiatives
  • Ability to define product roadmaps and prioritize demands
  • Strong analytical skills to drive decision-making with KPIs
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Provide leadership on product vision and customer requirements
  • Define and manage the product strategy and roadmap for lab delivery
  • Establish a scalable lab platform strategy for diverse training needs
  • Collaborate with engineering to plan and deliver enhancements
  • Define key performance indicators for lab quality and scalability
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives for learner outcomes
  • Partner with stakeholders to optimize lab delivery processes

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and bonus opportunities
  • 401(k) plan with company match
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Generous paid time off, including for volunteer work
  • Access to professional development and SANS training opportunities
  • Fitness and wellness programs, and an employee assistance program
Full Job Description
What You'll Achieve at SANS

We are seeking a Senior Product Manager to join our Product Development team. This role sits at the center of training, assessment, and lab delivery. You will own and drive the lab strategy and delivery across the full SANS training portfolio of products, while advancing the capabilities, scalability, and innovation of the ranges.io platform. You will ensure that our training solutions and learning experiences remain tightly aligned to real-world job roles, emerging threats, and employer requirements. You will define the vision, roadmap, and operating model for delivering high-quality, scalable, and innovative lab experiences to students across in-person, virtual, and online modalities. Working cross-functionally with course authors, engineering, and business stakeholders, the Senior Product Manager will ensure SANS labs remain industry-leading, reliable, and aligned with the evolving needs of cybersecurity professionals.

As a Senior Product Manager, you will:
  • Provide product thought leadership by identifying critical customer requirements and defining business goals to expand and enhance range and lab platform capabilities.
  • Define and own the product vision, strategy, and roadmap for SANS lab delivery across all training programs
  • Establish a scalable lab platform strategy that supports diverse course requirements and future innovation.
  • Work closely with engineering and development teams to plan, prioritize, and deliver lab platform enhancements and new capabilities.
  • Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for lab quality, reliability, scalability, cost efficiency, and student experience.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance performance, availability, and learner outcomes.
  • Partner with operations and support teams to optimize lab provisioning, delivery, and troubleshooting processes.
  • Partner with enterprise customers, government agencies, and cyber leaders to define range-based exercise requirements.
  • Own the product vision and roadmap for lab delivery, with a focus on improving
  • Learner experience and usability
  • Instructor tools and orchestration capabilities
  • Automation of lab provisioning
  • Integration with LMS, certification systems, and reporting tools
  • Own the product vision and roadmap for the ranges.io platform, driving development to globally support:
    • Hands-on training
    • Enterprise and government simulations
    • Performance-based assessments
  • Evaluate emerging technologies (cloud infrastructure, containerization, virtualization, AI-driven simulation) to advance range and lab automation.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.


What We're Looking For

Every SANS employee brings something unique. For this role, we're looking for candidates with:
  • 10+ years of product management experience, including ownership of complex technical products or platforms
  • Demonstrated experience leading product strategy for cloud-based, SaaS, or infrastructure-driven solutions
  • Strong understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC) and experience working closely with engineering teams
  • Experience managing cross-functional initiatives involving technical, operational, and business stakeholders
  • Proven ability to define product roadmaps, prioritize competing demands, and deliver measurable outcomes
  • Strong analytical skills with experience defining and using KPIs to drive decision-making
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Experience managing platform products that serve multiple product lines with an emphasis on lab environments, cyber ranges, cloud-based training platforms, or simulation systems.
  • Comfortable evaluating and managing third-party technology vendors and partnerships
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Unrestricted authorization to work in the USA; visa sponsorship is not available.


Preferred qualifications include:
  • Experience with virtual lab environments, cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, GCP), or hands-on technical training platforms
  • Background in cybersecurity, IT, or technical education
  • Direct experience working with cyber ranges, capture-the-flag environments, or live-fire simulations.
  • Familiarity with NICE, NIST, DoD 8140, and related workforce frameworks.
  • Background in cybersecurity operations (blue team, red team, DFIR, cloud, etc.).


Benefits and Perks of Working at SANS

We're committed to fair and equitable compensation. The expected salary range for this position is $155,000 - $175,000, plus bonus eligible, depending on geographic location, skills, and experience. At SANS, pay equity and transparency are priorities.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports your total well-being so you can be and deliver your best. This means caring for you and your loved ones' physical, financial, and mental health, as well as providing the flexibility you need to thrive personally and professionally:
  • Financial Benefits: Competitive base salary, bonus opportunities, and a 401(k) plan with company match.
  • Health & Wellness: Robust medical, dental, and vision plans; company-provided short-term disability; optional long-term disability, supplemental life and AD&D insurance for employees and dependents; voluntary benefits including accident insurance and identity theft protection; fitness and wellness programs; and a company paid employee assistance program (EAP).
  • Time Off & Flexibility: Generous paid time off, including volunteer time.
  • Learning & Development: Access to professional development and SANS training opportunities.


Flexibility and Balance at SANS

We support our colleagues with the tools and flexibility they need to thrive, both professionally and personally. As a primarily remote work environment, we are committed to maintaining strong connections, collaboration, and a vibrant culture across virtual teams. While most roles operate remotely, some positions may require occasional in-person presence depending on role-specific or business needs.

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