Head of Product Development

Head of Product Development

ABOUT 4MATIV TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

4MATIV Technologies is transforming student transportation through technology, ensuring every child has access to the learning opportunities that maximize their potential. We manage multi-modal mobility for school systems nationwide, streamlining operations and expanding service options.

We currently support 50+ school districts in major cities such as Houston, Indianapolis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Phoenix, overseeing 22,000+ student trips daily across 1,000+ routes. Our flagship SaaS product, TOMS (Transportation Operations Management System), is central to our mission—empowering schools to efficiently manage transportation, improve service reliability, and expand transportation options for families.

At 4MATIV, we are committed to:

• Building user-centered products that create lasting impact for students and districts
• Working shoulder-to-shoulder with clients as a mission-aligned, trusted partner
• Valuing diverse perspectives and experiences
• Caring deeply about outcomes and continuous improvement

POSITION OVERVIEW

4MATIV is seeking a Head of Product Development to lead the evolution of TOMS, our SaaS-based transportation management platform. This leader will be responsible for shaping and executing the product roadmap, driving innovation, and ensuring that development efforts align with customer needs, business strategy, and market demands.

As Head of Product Development, you will work closely with the founding CEO, leadership team, and key stakeholders to define priorities and bring our vision to life. You will oversee a highly skilled, integrated development team, balancing UX, UI, software engineering, and software delivery expertise to deliver a world-class product.

Leadership Scope

This role will also serve as the strategic and operational leader for engineering and data operations/analytics, unifying the product vision across departments. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic management of the development teams and contracted resources / partners, to ensure seamless collaboration and delivery.
• Driving cross-functional product alignment, ensuring data-driven innovation and a seamless integration of analytics, engineering, 4MATIV’s consulting group, internal operational user needs, and client & partner needs.
• Developing a structured pipeline for prototypes and operational tools created by the Data Ops/Analytics team, ensuring they contribute to client services and operational success.

This role requires a strategic mindset, strong execution capabilities, and deep experience in both SaaS product management and software development. The ideal candidate has successfully led teams in SaaS product development, understands the intersection of business needs and technical feasibility, and has a track record of delivering user-centered solutions in a fast-paced environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Product Strategy & Leadership

• Work with the CEO and leadership team to define and execute a product roadmap that aligns with market needs and business priorities.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable product features, ensuring they address user needs, customer expectations, and stakeholder goals.
• Maintain a clear, scalable product roadmap, balancing short-term execution with long-term innovation.
• Ensure alignment between software design, business needs, and user experience, making strategic trade-offs as necessary.

Engineering & Data Operations Leadership

• Oversee the Engineering and Data Ops/Analytics departments, ensuring that technical execution aligns with business and product strategy.
• Directly manage and support key leaders, including the VP of Data Ops/Analytics, Senior Engineering Manager, and Software Engineer.
• Lead the integration of data analytics and engineering efforts
• Develop a structured process for prototypes and tools developed by Data Ops/Analytics to transition into fully realized product features.

Technology & Process Management

• Ensuring that all engineering efforts align with internal development and business priorities.
• Establish best practices for Agile software development, sprint planning, and cross-team collaboration.
• Allocate responsibilities and resources effectively, ensuring the successful implementation of product features and engineering initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement, implementing scalable development processes and data-driven decision-making frameworks.

Execution & Hands-On Involvement

• Take a hands-on role in areas where you have direct expertise, ensuring high-impact contributions.
• Oversee key product development milestones