Our client is an established SaaS company serving higher education institutions across North America. Its configurable software helps institutions simplify complex administrative workflows, improve operational efficiency, and better support faculty, staff, and students.The business is entering an important stage of growth, with increased focus in product, technology, and innovation. It combines the stability of an established customer base with the opportunity to meaningfully influence how the product organization evolves.About the RoleOur client is looking for a Senior Product Manager to take ownership of a research administration product area and help shape its next stage of growth.This is a strategic, outcomes-focused role for an experienced product leader with strong customer empathy and an understanding of research administration in higher education. You'll shape product vision and roadmap priorities, lead customer discovery, and partner closely with engineering, design, and go-to-market teams to deliver measurable customer and business outcomes.This is an individual contributor role with significant ownership, visibility, and influence over product direction.What You'll Do Own the product strategy, roadmap, and priorities for a key research administration product area Lead customer discovery to understand institutional workflows, challenges, compliance requirements, and emerging needs Translate customer insights, market trends, competitive intelligence, and data into clear product opportunities Partner with engineering and design from discovery through delivery, defining requirements and measurable success criteria Identify opportunities to improve workflows, configurability, usability, and AI-enabled capabilities Collaborate with sales, marketing, customer success, and other teams to support launches, adoption, and customer outcomes Define and track product health, adoption, engagement, and customer value metrics Communicate product strategy and priorities effectively across internal teams and customer stakeholders Drive continuous improvement through experimentation, customer feedback, and data-driven decision makingRequirements8+ years of product management experience, including significant ownership of complex SaaS productsExperience with research administration, either through a software provider serving this market or within a university or research institutionStrong understanding of research-related workflows such as sponsored programs, grants administration, compliance, research operations, or adjacent areasDemonstrated ability to develop product strategy and translate it into an executable roadmapStrong product discovery skills and experience working directly with customersExperience partnering closely with engineering and design teamsA curious, resourceful, and self-directed approach to solving complex problemsStrong analytical skills and comfort using data to inform decisionsExcellent written and verbal communication skillsAbility to simplify complex problems and influence stakeholders across different functions and levelsExperience working successfully in distributed, cross-functional environmentsNice to HaveExperience in higher education technology or enterprise workflow softwareExperience building highly configurable products or workflow-driven platformsFamiliarity with the regulatory, compliance, security, and accessibility requirements of higher education institutionsExperience introducing AI-enabled functionality into established SaaS productsExperience working with complex enterprise customers and multiple stakeholder groupsProduct management education, certification, or training related to AI and emerging technologiesBenefitsCompetitive base range of $140,000 to $155,000Comprehensive benefits package offered (healthcare and retirement programs)Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visitExecutive Recruiters United States: Leading Executive Search and Headhunting Firm in the USAEqual Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination PolicyEqual Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations. Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.Privacy and Pay Equity:California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.State-Specific Information:Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.Use of Artificial Intelligence in RecruitmentKeller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate. Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Our client is an established SaaS company serving higher education institutions across North America. Its configurable software helps institutions simplify complex administrative workflows, improve operational efficiency, and better support faculty, staff, and students.
The business is entering an important stage of growth, with increased focus in product, technology, and innovation. It combines the stability of an established customer base with the opportunity to meaningfully influence how the product organization evolves.
About the Role
Our client is looking for a Senior Product Manager to take ownership of a research administration product area and help shape its next stage of growth.
This is a strategic, outcomes-focused role for an experienced product leader with strong customer empathy and an understanding of research administration in higher education. You'll shape product vision and roadmap priorities, lead customer discovery, and partner closely with engineering, design, and go-to-market teams to deliver measurable customer and business outcomes.
This is an individual contributor role with significant ownership, visibility, and influence over product direction.
What You'll Do
- Own the product strategy, roadmap, and priorities for a key research administration product area
- Lead customer discovery to understand institutional workflows, challenges, compliance requirements, and emerging needs
- Translate customer insights, market trends, competitive intelligence, and data into clear product opportunities
- Partner with engineering and design from discovery through delivery, defining requirements and measurable success criteria
- Identify opportunities to improve workflows, configurability, usability, and AI-enabled capabilities
- Collaborate with sales, marketing, customer success, and other teams to support launches, adoption, and customer outcomes
- Define and track product health, adoption, engagement, and customer value metrics
- Communicate product strategy and priorities effectively across internal teams and customer stakeholders
- Drive continuous improvement through experimentation, customer feedback, and data-driven decision making
Requirements
- 8+ years of product management experience, including significant ownership of complex SaaS products
- Experience with research administration, either through a software provider serving this market or within a university or research institution
- Strong understanding of research-related workflows such as sponsored programs, grants administration, compliance, research operations, or adjacent areas
- Demonstrated ability to develop product strategy and translate it into an executable roadmap
- Strong product discovery skills and experience working directly with customers
- Experience partnering closely with engineering and design teams
- A curious, resourceful, and self-directed approach to solving complex problems
- Strong analytical skills and comfort using data to inform decisions
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to simplify complex problems and influence stakeholders across different functions and levels
- Experience working successfully in distributed, cross-functional environments
Nice to Have
- Experience in higher education technology or enterprise workflow software
- Experience building highly configurable products or workflow-driven platforms
- Familiarity with the regulatory, compliance, security, and accessibility requirements of higher education institutions
- Experience introducing AI-enabled functionality into established SaaS products
- Experience working with complex enterprise customers and multiple stakeholder groups
- Product management education, certification, or training related to AI and emerging technologies
Benefits
- Competitive base range of $140,000 to $155,000
- Comprehensive benefits package offered (healthcare and retirement programs)
Keller is a recruitment agency that provides services to clients ranging from startups and non profits to multinational corporations. Keller emphasizes ethical search processes, attentive candidate care, and leadership placements that support long-term client outcomes.
To learn more about the firm and about our candidate services - please visit
Executive Recruiters United States: Leading Executive Search and Headhunting Firm in the USA
Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.
Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.
Privacy and Pay Equity:
- California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy at www.kellerexecutivesearch.com.
- Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
- Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.
State-Specific Information:
- Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
- Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
- New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.
Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.
Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.
Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.
Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process. Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
Keller Executive Search International is a global executive search that recruits senior leaders for prominent brands and organizations. We offer full-spectrum services, such as Executive Search, Board Services, CEO Succession Planning, Executive Assessment, Business Culture Review, and Corporate Handover.
