Product Manager

Summary

Join Study Group as a Product Manager to lead the development and management of innovative products for the University Segment. This critical role involves overseeing the product lifecycle from ideation to launch, ensuring products meet market needs and drive business growth. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, conduct market analysis, and develop compelling business cases. The ideal candidate is passionate about international education and possesses a proven track record in product management within the education sector. Responsibilities include identifying customer needs, driving strategic product development, and ensuring academic and regulatory compliance. Success in this role requires strong analytical and communication skills, along with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Significant experience in a Product Management role, ideally within the education sector (higher education, or international education highly desirable)
• Demonstrable experience in managing a product through its entire lifecycle, from concept to launch and optimisation
• Demonstrable experience of designing products which meet the needs of multiple customer segments with potentially competing requirements
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, complex, and international environment
• Bachelor's degree or professional qualifications in a relevant field
• Experience with curriculum development or academic programme design
• Knowledge of international qualifications and entry requirements for UK universities
• A good understanding of the UK higher education landscape and international student pathways
• Experience working with B2B and B2C product models
• Location: Brighton Head Office, remote

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, execution, and management of innovative new products that align with Study Group’s strategic objectives
• Oversee the product development process from ideation through to launch
• Ensure that new products meet market needs, deliver value, and drive business growth during the Introduction phase of the product lifecycle
• Shape and deliver new offerings to market
• Contribute to broader product initiatives across Study Group as required
• Lead the product innovation process by collaborating with cross-functional teams to: Understand sector pain points and opportunities
• Drive idea generation and concept development
• Design and test product concepts
• Build robust business cases
• Support mobilisation and delivery to ensure successful product launches
• Identify Customer Needs and Market Opportunities: Develop a deep understanding of the key pain points experienced by Study Group’s primary customers—university partners, sponsors, and international students—as well as emerging needs in untapped or underserved market segments, to identify new product opportunities and areas for growth
• Conduct Market and Competitor Analysis: Analyse global competitors to ensure Study Group’s product positioning and value propositions remain competitive and compelling
• Drive Strategic Product Development: Design and implement product development initiatives that align with Study Group’s overarching business objectives and strategic direction
• Develop and Maintain Product Roadmaps: Create and manage comprehensive product roadmaps and detailed product definition documents to guide development and ensure stakeholder alignment
• Collaborate Cross-Functionally to Design Solutions: Work with cross-functional teams to design innovative, student-centred solutions that address identified needs and opportunities
• Lead Product Design and Development: Oversee the end-to-end design and development of new products, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and market expectations
• Ensure Academic and Regulatory Compliance: Partner with key stakeholders and cross-functional teams to ensure all products meet academic quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Lead Business Case Development: In collaboration with the Product Operations Manager, lead cross-functional teams to develop and present compelling business cases for new product initiatives, clearly articulating market opportunities, strategic alignment, and organisational capabilities
• Engage Key Partners for Approval: Work closely with the Partnerships Team to ensure all product initiatives are clearly communicated and approved by key partners essential for a successful market launch
• Manage Delivery Post-Business Case: Partner with the PMO to manage project timelines, budgets, and resources following business case approval. Ensure all stakeholders understand the product’s key selling points (KSPs) and are equipped to support its success
• Coordinate Product Launches: Collaborate with marketing, sales, and other departments to lead product launches and support ongoing product management activities
• Monitor Product Performance: Maintain oversight of the P&L for the allocated product portfolio, identifying risks, making recommendations, and highlighting opportunities for growth
• Transition to BAU: Ensure a smooth and timely handover of new product initiatives to the BAU product management team once the Executive Committee has approved the transition
• Analyse Market Trends and Customer Feedback: Monitor industry trends, gather customer insights, and evaluate competitor offerings to inform product strategy and innovation
• Translate Insights into Action: Use data-driven insights to shape product ideas, guide development, and refine positioning to meet evolving market needs
• Conduct Customer Feedback: Lead customer feedback initiatives and gather feedback to continuously improve and inform product enhancement and development