Manager, Product Owner

When you join Sallie Mae, you become a champion for all students.

We’re on a mission to power confidence as students begin their unique journey. To help them plan their higher education, successfully finish, and prepare for life after school. To help them Start smart. Learn big.

Students need guidance navigating this important time in their life. They need someone who acknowledges that their education path is unique. They need a partner willing to evolve and not only meet but surpass their expectations. We’re changing. Because students need a better way.

We’re looking for people who are excited to drive this transformation. To break barriers and think of new ways to adapt, help, and create better experiences for students—and for each other.

This is where diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and perspectives matter. It’s where you’re empowered to bring your authentic self to work.

Feeling your best allows you to do your best. Our benefits take care of the whole you—from physical and mental to financial and professional. You’ll get opportunities to further your education and career, support for you and your family (including your pets!), paid time off to volunteer for the things that matter to you, and more.

We’re obsessed with impact and making a real difference. For us, that means putting relationships first, asking “why not?” when tackling challenges, and continuously learning new skills.

Come do more than join something, change something. For students, for future generations, for the future of education.

What You'll Contribute

The Manager, Product Owner will be responsible for managing and executing the product roadmap and strategy. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, including engineering, design, marketing, and sales, to define and prioritize product features and enhancements.

What You'll Do

• Work closely with cross-functional teams to define and prioritize product features, functionality, and user experience, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Create and maintain product requirements, user stories, and specifications, ensuring clarity and actionable guidance for the development team.

• Manage the product backlog, prioritize feature development, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality products.

• Coordinate with engineering and design teams to provide guidance, resolve issues, and ensure smooth product development and delivery.

• Monitor product performance, gather customer feedback, and conduct data analysis to identify areas for improvement and make data-driven product decisions.
  
  

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job; it is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in this role.

What you have

Minimum: Indicate minimum education, skills and experience required.

• Previous experience in a leadership or managerial role, with the ability to guide and develop a high-performing product management team.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate market insights and customer needs into actionable product strategies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence decision-making.

• In-depth knowledge of product management methodologies, such as Agile, Scrum, or Lean, and experience applying them in product development cycles.

• Ability to analyze data, track product performance metrics, and make data-driven decisions.

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and meet deadlines.
  

Preferred: Indicate “nice to haves” regarding education, skills, and experience.

• Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, engineering, or a related field.

• 5 years of experience in product management, with a track record of successfully delivering products.

• Internal experience with OpSys or EWS is a plus.
  
  

The Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) prohibits discrimination by employers, in compensation and employment opportunities, against qualified individuals with disabilities who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the “essential functions” of a job. A function may be essential for any of several reasons, including: the job exists to perform that function, the employee holding the job was hired for his/