Western Governors University

Staff Product Manager, Marketing Automation

Western Governors University • $161K — $249K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience
  • 8 years as a Software Product Manager/Product Owner
  • Professional Product Certification (e.g., CSPO, Pragmatic Marketing)
  • Experience in agile environments
  • Strong understanding of Service Oriented Architecture
  • Knowledge of cloud computing practices
  • Ability to create design artifacts detailing architectural requirements
  • Strong problem-solving skills and strategic thinking
  • Experience with marketing optimization platforms

Responsibilities

  • Develop and manage strategic product roadmaps aligning business objectives with user needs
  • Collaborate with stakeholders, engineers, and designers to define product requirements
  • Lead initiatives that improve funnel performance and conversion rates
  • Create collaborative outcomes by influencing cross-functional teams
  • Define product release strategies while ensuring readiness with partners
  • Monitor and analyze product performance using metrics and analytics
  • Conduct research, ROI analyses, and planning for technology modernization

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Mental healthcare support and telehealth services
  • Flexible paid time off and sick time
  • Discounted WGU tuition and retirement savings plan
  • Up to 12 weeks of parental leave
  • 11 paid holidays and other paid leaves
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • Legal and identity theft coverage
  • Health savings account and flexible spending account
Full Job Description
Job Description

As a Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization, you will own the strategy and execution of marketing optimization capabilities that support the learner journey from website engagement through application submission. This role combines deep product management expertise with strong technical acumen to drive measurable business outcomes across a complex marketing technology ecosystem. You will partner closely with stakeholders across marketing, security, architecture, engineering, analytics, and product teams to prioritize investments, optimize funnel performance, and deliver scalable platform solutions that support university goals.

What You'll Do
  • Develop and manage strategic product roadmaps that align business objectives, user needs, and technology capabilities.
  • Partner with stakeholders, engineers, architects, designers, and end users to identify problems, define requirements, and deliver impactful solutions.
  • Lead marketing optimization initiatives focused on improving funnel performance, conversion metrics, and business outcomes.
  • Create shared outcomes across multiple teams and influence work beyond direct ownership to drive customer impact.
  • Define product release strategies and ensure readiness across business and technical partners.
  • Monitor product performance through success metrics, analytics, and data-driven decision making, adjusting priorities when needed.
  • Lead research efforts, business case development, ROI analyses, and technology modernization planning to support long-term product strategy.
What You'll Bring
  • Bachelor's Degree.
  • 8 years of experience as a Software Product Manager or Product Owner.
  • Professional Product Certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Pragmatic Marketing).
  • Experience working in agile environments.
  • Possesses a deep understanding and technical background in Service Oriented Architecture.
  • Understands the scope of cloud computing and how to work with software architecture to identify best practices for delivering high-scale, reliable, sustainable, and secure platforms.
  • Ability to create design artifacts that provide visual and narrative detail of architectural requirements, decisions, and designs.
  • Ability to communicate technical issues, business requirements, and value-based outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Deep understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices.
  • Knowledge of programming languages, databases, cloud technologies, and software development methodologies.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions regarding software architecture and development.
  • Ability to think strategically about product architecture and align technology investments with long-term business goals.
  • Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
  • Leadership instincts with a positive team-building approach.
  • Strong passion for exploring and understanding large-scale cloud platform requirements.
  • Experience with large enterprise platforms and integrations.
  • Experience with marketing optimization platforms and technologies such as marketing automation platforms, analytics tools, customer data platforms, CRM platforms, campaign management tools, or business intelligence solutions.
  • Experience using data, analytics, and KPI measurement to prioritize work and drive business outcomes.
In Lieu of Education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education, and is at the hiring manager's discretion.

Bonus Points
  • Master's Degree.
  • Experience in Education Technology.
  • Experience with enterprise marketing optimization strategies, funnel metrics, and revenue-focused product initiatives.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.
  • Hiring manager interview
  • Interview panel

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, UT office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

#LI-SB1

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

About Western Governors University

Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit online university based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The university was founded by 19 U.S. governors in 1997 with a mission to expand access to higher education. WGU offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, and healthcare. The university is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and has been recognized by the White House as an example of excellence in education innovation. WGU has a competency-based learning model, which allows students to progress through their coursework at their own pace based on their mastery of the material.
Learn more about Western Governors University
Size
5,000 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Western Governors University

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

Find similar Staff Product Manager, Marketing Automation jobs: