Group VP, Product Development & Innovation

Our client provides innovative and proprietary products, programs, and services that help PreK-12 educators engage and inspire students to learn with research-based, innovative curriculum, supplemental learning resources, and classroom basics. An increased focus on curriculum-oriented blended learning solutions and the educational market transition to technology-oriented products creates the need for a central and cross-functional Vice President of Product Development & Innovation to lead the evolution of product offerings across multiple business units. We are seeking a product visionary and strategist to join the executive team as our client continues to differentiate itself in each of its family of brands.

The Group VP, Product Development & Innovation will be responsible for innovative and timely product development that will drive revenue growth throughout the organization. He/she will set corporate-wide strategy and transform the product development process throughout all areas of the business. This individual will partner with Marketing, Sales, Educational Technology, Sourcing, and other functional departments to develop product plans that are viable and within the scope of each group’s strategic vision. This position will provide leadership and direction to direct reports including VPs of Product Development in order to meet agreed-upon category/market revenue growth goals through creation and launch of new products.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and implement a detailed and efficient multi-functional company-wide product development process.
• Set strategy and provide “vision” across all areas of the business for both new and revised programs, supporting business growth initiatives for specific subject area programs as well as targeted supplementary program development.
• Develop and manage the product development budget, overseeing both capital expenditures and operating expenses.
• Direct responsibility and management of product development and design teams which currently operate in multiple business unit locations.
• Manage structured review of product concepts with teams and align those concepts with the objectives as defined by the strategic and annual plans.
• Integrate knowledge of and experience with previous educational technology applications into newly created and revised product development to facilitate positive learning outcomes.
• Remain current with K-12 market trends, customer needs, and industry regulations to ensure that new/updated products meet the needs in the marketplace.

Qualifications:

• At least 15 years of increasingly responsible business experience including several years in a leadership position responsible for the K-12 product planning and product development function. 
• Must have experience setting strategy and leading product development within supplemental educational materials market.  Product development in educational software, games, toys, etc. is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree required; M.A. in Education/educational subject area desirable, or equivalent work experience in curriculum-focused product development including the integration of technology components.
• Knowledge and understanding of the K-12 educational markets, instructional trends, and sound teaching approaches, as well as professional development content creation.
• Experience in developing comprehensive strategic plans encompassing a wide variety of product categories/offerings.
• Strong leadership experience across multifunctional teams.
• An ability to function effectively within a highly matrixed environment in order to lead new product teams, cross-functional teams, and external resources.
• Ability to critically evaluate marketplace intelligence related to customer needs and determine the viability of product development requests.
• Ability to travel more than 20%, depending on project requirements.

Interested candidates should send their resumes and cover letters to Lauren Aaron, laaron@bertdavis.com, or Debbie Blinder, dblinder@bertdavis.com.