Ascend Learning

VP Technical Product Management

Ascend Learning$150K — $180K *
Enterprise Technology
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field; Master's preferred.
  • 12+ years in technology product management; 7+ years in senior leadership roles.
  • Strong technical understanding of system architectures and product tradeoffs.
  • Proven ability to manage complex product portfolios through their lifecycle.
  • Experience leading large, cross-functional teams in dynamic environments.
  • Knowledge of modern software development practices, including Agile and Scrum methodologies.
  • Strategic thinker with a data-driven decision-making approach.
  • Strong communication and executive presence.

Responsibilities

  • Define the long-term technology product vision and strategy in alignment with company goals.
  • Translate product and business needs into technology-focused outcomes and success metrics.
  • Manage technology product roadmaps for shared platforms supporting multiple product lines.
  • Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Architecture leaders to drive product innovation.
  • Oversee execution of the technology product portfolio from concept to delivery and optimization.
  • Influence enterprise platform and architecture investment decisions as a senior advisor.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts to a diverse audience.
  • Establish governance models for technology investments to ensure value realization.
  • Implement best practices for product discovery and lifecycle management.
  • Build and lead a high-performing Technical Product Management organization.

Benefits

  • Flexible and generous paid time off
  • Competitive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
  • 401(k) employer matching program
  • Parental leave
  • Wellness resources
  • Charitable matching program
  • On-site workout facilities
  • Community outreach groups
  • Tuition reimbursement
Full Job Description
WHAT YOU'LL DO

This senior leadership role is responsible for defining and driving the technology product vision, strategy, and execution across Ascend's shared platforms and capabilities. This leader ensures clarity, coherence, and prioritization of cross-functional technology capabilities that support Ascend's product strategy and business objectives. The VP, TPM serves as a critical bridge between product, technology, and business leadership, translating strategic product direction and customer needs into scalable, high-impact technology platforms.

WHERE YOU'LL WORK

This position offers the flexibility of remote work within the United States and requires working Eastern or Central time zone hours to support business needs.

HOW YOU'LL SPEND YOUR TIME

  • Own and define the long-term technology product vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with the SVP of Product and Ascend's overall product strategy.
  • Translate product and business needs into clear technology-focused outcomes, KPIs, and success metrics for platform initiatives.
  • Own technology product roadmaps spanning shared platforms and core capabilities that support multiple product lines. Balance long-term platform evolution with near-term product delivery commitments.
  • Partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Architecture leaders to ensure technology platforms effectively enable product innovation and scale.
  • Drive execution of the technology product portfolio from concept through delivery, adoption, and ongoing optimization.
  • Play a critical role in shaping enterprise-wide platform, architecture, and technology investment decisions. Act as a senior advisor to the SVP of Product on platform strategy, sequencing, and investment tradeoffs.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to executive, technical, and non-technical audiences.
  • Establish and oversee governance models for technology investments, ensuring disciplined prioritization, transparency, and value realization.
  • Establish best practices for product discovery, delivery, and lifecycle management across platform teams.
  • Build, lead, and develop a high-performing Technical Product Management organization.


WHAT YOU'LL NEED

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field required. Master's degree preferred.
  • 12+ years of experience in technology product management, including at least 7 years in senior leadership roles.
  • Demonstrated strong technical fluency and curiosity to understand system architectures, data flows and product tradeoffs for close collaboration with engineering.
  • Proven experience managing complex platform or infrastructure product portfolios across the full product lifecycle.
  • Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional teams in fast-paced, matrixed environments.
  • Strong understanding of modern software development practices, including Agile, Scrum, and scaled Agile frameworks.
  • Strategic, systems-level thinker with a data-driven approach to prioritization and decision-making.
  • Exceptional communication, influence, and executive presence.
  • Customer- and product-centric mindset with a passion for building scalable, reusable technology platforms.


BENEFITS

  • Flexible and generous paid time off
  • Competitive medical, dental, vision and life insurance
  • 401(k) employer matching program
  • Parental leave
  • Wellness resources
  • Charitable matching program
  • On-site workout facilities (Leawood, Gilbert, Burlington)
  • Community outreach groups
  • Tuition reimbursement

About Ascend Learning

Ascend Learning is a leading provider of educational content, software and analytics solutions for healthcare and other vocational industries. The company's products and services are designed to help students and professionals improve their knowledge and skills, and to help employers improve their workforce performance. Ascend Learning's portfolio includes more than 1,000 digital and print-based products, including textbooks, online courses, simulation tools, and certification and licensure exam preparation materials. The company serves a wide range of customers, including colleges and universities, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. Ascend Learning was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts.
Learn more about Ascend Learning
Size
1,500 employees
Industry
Founded
2010

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