Group PM / Director of Product, Core Services

About Us 

Academia.edu is the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share their work, discover research and connect with fellow academics globally. Our bold vision: to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers hundreds of millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives and the world, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

We're excited to have a packed and lively office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Twice a week those of us in the Bay Area come to our office located in the Financial District for All Hands, intense collaboration, brainstorming activities, and fun events. There are small rooms for 1-1 mentoring sessions or heads down work, and larger rooms for team activities. We continue to support a flexible work environment for all of life’s surprises and needs with generous time off and flexible daily work schedules.

The Role

We are seeking a high-performing Product Leader to lead our ‘Core Services’ Products group. This group of product teams is responsible for key technologies and platforms leveraged across the company (including recommendations, payments, profile/identity management, and more). In this role, you will power the product teams responsible for providing our key technologies across the site. The area of responsibility spikes on platform services, including experiences that serve customers directly and that power experiences that support other teams internally. You will be responsible for 2 product teams to start, both with PMs in seats and the need to develop (and hire) the area further, with an initial goal of building out the team upwards of 4 product teams by early 2025.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the roadmap for our ranking / recommendation efforts, driving alignment with exec stakeholders
• Own the payment platform globally; help us identify merchants, banks, vendors, methods that drive more subscription (and reduce cancellations) on Academia
• Hire and support a high-performing product team; both with current roles and with expected future roles soon to emerge
• IC a product team in the early stages of your time with us, in order to show execution excellence and model performance to your reports
• Advocate for and provide best practices for product as a function, in both your area and across the company

Requirements

• 7-12 years of product experience, with a focus on B2C products
• Previous experience in one of recommendations/ranking/relevance work, the payments tech stack, or user identity / data management work
• Previous experience hiring and leveling-up PMs
• Strong IC product skills; you know how to “lead from the front” and teach best practices
• Demonstrated ability to make a significant business impact, autonomously
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Customer-centric approach with a knack for data-driven validation
• Extensive experience with A/B testing and user research (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (ENG, UXR, Data, Design) and exec leaders
• Startup experience is essential; bonus for a history of successful product pivots
• Technical understanding and ability to engage in high-level technical discussions
• Proven expertise in launching and scaling systems that support millions of users

Nice to Haves

• Experience in Edtech or academia
• A stint in growth-stage tech companies during a ‘high-growth’ period

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.