Junior Product Manager

Full-Time Anywhere
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Character Lab is looking for a Junior Product Manager with experience in user research. Reporting to the Director of User Experience, the Junior Product Manager will support the development and maintenance of Character Lab Research Network’s digital platform. This is an exciting opportunity for a user-oriented, innovative professional to have a tremendous impact by ensuring we develop and maintain the systems to advance the science and practice of character development.

Our digital platform is hosted by Qualtrics, and is a combination of standard Qualtrics products as well as custom products designed in collaboration with and developed by Qualtrics’ engineering services teams. This unique combination of technology allows Character Lab Research Network to facilitate character development research activities at our partner schools in a convenient and secure online format.

The Junior Product Manager will use lean UX research methods to inform input into the strategic development of our digital platform including the development of the product roadmap, fostering and maintaining relationships with key external partners such as Qualtrics, and collaborating with key stakeholders to design and advance the development of new digital products. In close collaboration with the Director of User Experience, they will be encouraged to make recommendations for process improvements as necessary.

About Character Lab

Character Lab is a nonprofit devoted to advancing the science and practice of character development. We were founded in 2012 by two educators (Dave Levin and Dominic Randolph) and one scientist (Angela Duckworth) who see character development as essential to helping all children thrive.

Our research has shown that success and well-being depend on a multitude of strengths that are organized into three dimensions: interpersonal, intrapersonal, and intellectual. Interpersonal strengths like gratitude and empathy enable caring relationships with other people; intrapersonal strengths like grit and growth mindset enable achievement; and intellectual strengths like curiosity and humor enable a fertile life of the mind.

To advance the science of character development, Character Lab connects leading psychologists with middle and high schools across the country. To advance the practice of character development, Character Lab translates research findings into Playbooks, instructional materials co-created with scientists, educators, and designers. To learn more, see our most recent Annual Letter.

Our culture is both challenging (we’re never done improving) and supportive (one of our core values is excessive generosity). We are a small team of full-time designers, educators, and scientists (and one dog) under one roof. To learn more, read our Culture Book.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree and at least 2 years of professional experience in research, product management, UI/UX, or a related field/discipline

  • A strong scientific background is preferred

  • Detailed understanding of product roadmaps and the product development cycle

  • Experience planning, moderating, executing and analyze a range of user research methods (interviews, usability tests, surveys, analytics, etc.)

  • Ability to think strategically and identify system improvements

  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills

  • Strong attention to detail

  • Comfort working with diverse team to rapidly iterate, build, test, and launch features

  • Required skills: User research and testing, wireframing, development of a minimum viable product, engaging stakeholders and establishing product buy-in, product roadmap development and navigation

  • Fierce work ethic and sense of purpose, with the ability to work well as part of a dynamic start-up

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead full cycles of user research, including open-ended discovery and concept testing

  • Managing Character Lab Research Network short-term roadmap

  • Working collaboratively with external vendors’ engineering and development teams to communicate product specifications, clarify design and development needs, and manage those teams’ adherence to timelines and outputs

  • Working with the UX Researcher/Director of Research Infrastructure to move the long-term roadmap forward

  • Collaborating with users and user proxies to write requirements and wireframe new feature ideas

  • Making data-driven recommendations for changes based on user testing, research, and feedback

  • User testing features with customers and other stakeholders

  • Additional responsibilities as assigned

 

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors

  • Frequent, prolonged, and irregular hours of duty

  • Occasional travel for work-related responsibilities and needs

Compensation

Competitive salary is commensurate with experience and skills. All full-time employees receive a comprehensive benefits package.