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AstrumU seeks VP of Product Management
First, let’s get the pronunciation out of the way. AstrumU is not “Astroo-MOO.” It’s more like the opening of an introduction: “Astrum, you.”
So why don’t the two of you shake hands. We think you guys may have a lot to talk about. Especially if you’re a product-minded tech type with a fascination for innovative market niches and a head (and heart) for team management.
Now that we have the opening niceties out of the way, let’s get down to business. AstrumU is a 50-person Kirkland company with a very distinctive market proposition.
“We are on a mission to quantify the return on education investment for learners, education providers, and employers,” it writes. “We help institutions measure the value created for incoming and returning students, while assisting them in securing industry partnerships that lead students seamlessly into high-demand career pathways. Institutions partner with AstrumU to drive enrollment and increase alumni and corporate engagement, while extending economic mobility opportunities inclusively to all learners.”
To advance this mission, AstrumU is seeking a new Vice President of Product Management. This VP is responsible for defining long-term product strategy; expanding market presence; driving innovation; and developing product roadmaps in support of growth targets. The Vice President of Product will also have the panache to blend their communication skills with the marketing and technical teams to articulate the value of our products to customers.
As the company puts it, “You must possess a unique blend of business and technical savvy; a big-picture vision; and the drive to make that vision a reality.” They accomplish this reality by living their cultural values where they place “employee’s first,” and develop “circles of trust” through their actions and look to their team to develop a sense of “entrepreneurial ownership.” A “bias for action”, learning from your mistakes, so the whole can succeed faster, is a staple at this innovative company.
AstrumU is looking for a candidate who can apply these qualities across a range of functions, including the direct management of the product team. In addition, this VP will have a scrapper mindset to punch above their weight as they drive product innovation throughout the organization. That includes developing new ideas based on your own industry experience and network contacts – as well as your own ongoing awareness of advancing trends in technology, especially EdTech and HRTech.
For this role, a Bachelor’s degree is required, and a Master’s is a definite plus. The company seeks at least a half-dozen years of experience in education or EdTech, (preferable) and similar levels of experience in product management. Knowledge of the software-development process is a must, and a background in SaaS, cloud, AI, and Agile/XP frameworks is preferred.
All right – now that you’ve been introduced, are you ready to take the next step? Just let us know!
PS From PSP: Very interesting Washington Post piece just came out on the “great remote work mismatch” increasingly besetting the economy. It’s still a hot job market, but not quite as hot as it used to be – and employers are increasingly insisting that workers return to the office. The “mismatch” results from the gap between the number of people looking for remote, do-anywhere jobs and the number of such jobs still available to be had.
What do you guys think? Is this a gap that you’re seeing in your experience, either as an employer or a job-seeker? It’s certainly a development we’ll be watching here at PSP, as the reverberations of the COVID pandemic continue to reshape an incredibly dynamic and complex labor market. ###
