Sr. Product Manager

Dean of Research, Stanford, California, United States

Information Technology Services

Post Date Jul 10, 2024

Requisition # 103871

This recruitment is for a one (2) year fixed-term, 100% FTE benefits-eligible position and may be renewable in the future based on funding availability.

SCHOOL/UNIT DESCRIPTION:

Stanford University's Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) organization is a central force in advancing the institution's research endeavors and fostering innovation across diverse disciplines. The organization is dedicated to supporting and promoting cutting-edge research that addresses global challenges, playing a crucial role in shaping the university's research strategy, overseeing interdisciplinary collaborations, and ensuring the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct in research activities. In addition to driving research excellence, the VPDoR organization takes a proactive approach to managing potential conflicts of interest (COI) and conflicts of commitment (COC) among faculty members. The organization oversees the COI and COC reporting process, ensuring transparency and accountability. To streamline this process, Stanford utilizes the Outside Professional Activities Certification System (OPACS), accessible at opacs.stanford.edu. This system serves as a centralized platform for faculty members to disclose potential conflicts, allowing the VPDoR organization to assess and manage these situations effectively, thereby upholding the highest standards of research integrity at Stanford University.

Our VPDoR Diversity Journey:

• We create a hub of innovation through the power of diversity of disciplines and people.

• We provide equitable access and opportunity to all members of the community in order to do their best work, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

• We listen to and value all colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the advancement and development of a respectful community.

• We promote a culture of belonging, equity, and safety.

• We embed these values in excellence of education, research, and operation.

POSITION SUMMARY:

As a key member of Stanford University's Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) organization, your role as a Business Analyst for the OPACS system will be instrumental in expanding and optimizing the platform. In this dynamic position, you will engage in a wide range of product management and business analyst activities aimed at enhancing the capabilities of OPACS. Your responsibilities will span stakeholder management, conducting user interviews, and collaborating with faculty and COI/COC evaluators to understand their needs. Utilizing your expertise, you will lead efforts in user journey mapping, stakeholder requirements gathering, and translating business requirements and user stories into comprehensive engineering requirements.

Working closely with the engineering team and end user stakeholders and subject matter experts, you will play a crucial role in refining requirements and managing the development process from a product manager's perspective. Your responsibilities will extend to overseeing MVP (Minimum Viable Product) testing and engaging in end user pre-release testing to ensure the system meets the highest standards of functionality and user satisfaction. The overarching goal of your role will be to reduce the burden on faculty and COI/COC evaluators, refine the user experience, and execute a strategic roadmap of features aligned with research compliance guidelines. Your contribution will be integral in maintaining the OPACS system as a cutting-edge, user-friendly platform that upholds the university's commitment to research integrity and excellence. This position offers a unique intersection of technology management, stakeholder collaboration, and product innovation within the dynamic landscape of research compliance.

CORE DUTIES:

• Translate business processes into system requirements and/or development of systems solutions.

• Analyze new business requirements, assist with feasibility of enhancement requests, system functionality, current system use and user needs.

• Specify functional analysis and design and work with developers and analysts to recommend solutions and resolve system issues.

• Review, research and evaluate software to determine its usefulness and appropriateness as related to existing or proposed business systems; assist or develop preliminary and detailed system design documentation.\

• Perform testing of new systems, upgrades and patching of existing systems; plan, conduct and document results of testing.

• Develop instructional materials, training and job aids.

• Advise users requiring assistance in solving complex problems or issues regarding management and business systems.

• Analyze data and provide data sets to users for analysis. May include development of operational and analytical reports for end users.

• Liaise with external vendors or partners in support of business systems, which may include system development, implementation and/or operations.

• Coordinate the implementation of new or modified business systems

Your Responsibilities:

• Partner with business stakeholders to understand, synthesize, and analyze business problems and their solutions using a rich variety of methods (e.g., interviews, document analysis, requirements workshops, surveys, data analysis, etc.)

• Design solutions to address complex business problems while balancing business needs, usability, system consistency, simplicity, and maintainability.

• Facilitate & obtain consensus on the solution design between business & technical teams.

• Document detailed functional system requirements with supporting artifacts (e.g., mock-ups, prototypes, workflow diagrams, detailed requirements, etc.)

• Represent business partners while working closely with the IT team to clarify business needs and solutions throughout the implementation process

• Provide demos, facilitate user acceptance testing, and obtain business partner approval of newly developed functionality.

Your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability as a Business or Systems Analyst / product manager with experience working on complex business applications.

• Excellent problem solving and analytical thinking skills with the ability to approach problems logically and systematically.

• Passion for working with end users to understand their needs and improve their end-user experience.

• Strong User Interface design skills and experience crafting effective system solutions

• Self-motivated and takes personal initiative to achieve goals beyond what is required.

• Able to work on multiple initiatives at a time with an ability to manage and prioritize work.

• Organized with a dedication to detail and accuracy.

• Excellent written & verbal communication, active listening, problem-solving, conflict/resolution management, and interpersonal skills.

• Works effectively with others as a team-player with an energetic demeanor

• Experience in delivering solutions for Stanford University’s faculty and researchers a plus.

• A solid grasp of technical problems and solutions especially around database applications

• An appetite to learn.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor's degree and three years relevant experience or a combination of education and relevant experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.

• Occasionally stand/walk, use a telephone.

• Frequently sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.

• Rarely writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.

• Strong visual acuity.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Work extended hours to meet project deadlines

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide,http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

This role is open to candidates anywhere in the United States. Stanford University hasfive Regional Pay Structures. The compensation for this position will be based on the location of the successful candidate.

The expected pay range for this position is $93,000 to $120,000 per annum for a remote position.

The expected pay range for this position is $109,000 to $133,000 per annum for a hybrid or on-site position.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture andunique perksempower you with:

• Freedom to grow . We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a Ted Talk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.

• A caring culture . We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.

• A healthier you . Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.

• Discovery and fun . Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.

• Enviable resources . Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources by submitting acontact form.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time

• Job Code: 4772

• Employee Status: Fixed-Term

• Grade: I

• Requisition ID: 103871

• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible, Remote Eligible, On Site