"Product Manager"

This position is a 2-year fixed-term role.

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact. We invite you to be part of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world.

The Initiative for Financial Decision-Making (IFDM), a collaboration among the Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR), and the Economics Department, is recruiting a Product Manager for its Personal Finance for All efforts based at the GSB in Stanford, CA. IFDM is spearheading the effort to improve people’s financial well-being through financial literacy. IFDM’s mission is to equip people, especially the young and underprivileged, with skills for making informed financial decisions based on sound academic research insights. Despite the growth of personal finance education, challenges remain. IFDM works to support high schools, universities, and employers by providing tools, programs, and research-based evidence to promote financial literacy on a large scale.

Funded through a generous gift, IFDM has ambitious goals and seeks a mission-driven Product Manager to lead the development of new technological platforms to transform IFDM’s financial literacy curriculum into engaging, interactive learning experiences. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a startup-like environment within an academic ecosystem and has experience developing apps. You will lead the full lifecycle of high-impact educational products, such as an app, an online resource library, and a chatbot. Additionally, you will collaborate with Stanford faculty, researchers, engineers, designers, and students to transform the academic curriculum into digital tools that teach core personal finance skills.
Financial literacy is more important than ever. This project presents an opportunity to build something that matters at scale. You will help shape a product that has the potential to transform financial literacy outcomes.

Primary responsibilities of the Product Manager include:

• Lead the design and development of digital applications (web and mobile), ensuring products are user-friendly, scalable, and aligned with IFDM goals.
• Translate financial literacy curriculum into modular, interactive content within a seamless app experience and other digital tools.
• Conduct user research and usability testing to continuously iterate and improve learning outcomes.
• Ensure accessibility and engagement across mobile (iOS/Android) and web platforms.
• Analyze and use user data to inform decision-making and drive product iteration.
• Develop lifecycle strategies to ensure continuity in the face of changes in operating systems and technical advancements.
• Manage planning, timelines, metrics, and stakeholder communications.
• Ensure work completion within schedule, budgetary, and design constraints; make decisions about analysis, design, and testing.
• Solve complex technical problems; provide alternative methods for achieving goals when necessary.
• Provide strategic planning for own work group; may assist higher-level management in broader scope strategic planning for a significant, complex, university-wide function or major initiative.
• Create procedures and guidelines to ensure compliance with university policy and federal and state regulations.
• Develop and manage budgets for projects or work groups.
• Oversee or assist in the preparation and submission of documentation, such as proposals, progress reports, or other contractual requirements.
• Monitor technology trends and evaluate emerging technologies for adoption and implementation.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to leverage the university/school’s investments in information technology.
• Work directly with Stanford faculty, researchers, and instructional designers to ensure educational rigor and engagement.

Additional Responsibilities

• Remain adaptable and willing to take on various tasks as needed to support the IFDM’s goals.
• Provide direction and insights on IFDM technical projects as requested to ensure consistency in the functionality and branding.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree and ten years of relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Proven experience managing the development of web or mobile applications, ideally in the education, fintech, or nonprofit space.
• Detailed understanding of relevant technical knowledge and problem resolution.
• Strong customer relationship skills, consensus-building skills, and ability to establish effective working relationships in a diverse environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop staff.
• A strong grasp of digital user behavior and product design principles.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and cross-functional collaboration.
• Experience working closely with designers, engineers, and subject matter experts.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, engaging digital experiences across multiple platforms and for targeted audiences.
• Familiarity with agile development, product analytics tools, and design tools.
• Passion for financial literacy, education, and making knowledge accessible to myriad users of IFDM apps and materials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequently stand/walk, sit, grasp lightly/fine manipulate, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally, use a telephone, write by hand, and lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
• Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others.
• On-campus mobility.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May work extended hours, evenings, or weekends.
• May travel domestically.
• Occasional overnight travel.

The expected pay range for this position is $152,010-$179,801 per annum.

This position is campus-based with limited hybrid flexibility and requires on-site presence during events and special engagements.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and résumé along with your online application.