JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Product Lead, Slate, is responsible for the strategic oversight and continuous improvement of the Slate CRM platform, supporting functions such as admissions, enrollment, communications, and student engagement. This role will report to the Director, Enterprise Cloud Systems. The role leads the full product lifecycle from ideation and development to deployment and optimization to ensure the platform aligns with institutional goals and delivers measurable value.
In this capacity, the Product Lead may manage a team, including direct reports such as system administrators or analysts who support Slate. They provide leadership, coaching, and performance management to ensure the team delivers secure, scalable, and user-centered solutions. The Product Lead works closely with these team members to align technical execution with product strategy and ensure seamless delivery of enhancements and support.
The role requires close collaboration with stakeholders across business and technology domains to define and communicate a clear product vision. The Product Lead plays a key role in shaping the end-to-end user experience and ensuring that Slate evolves to meet the institution's changing needs.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as the Product Lead for Slate, managing tenant configuration, security administration, and release planning.
- Provide technical support and troubleshoot issues related to Slate and other enterprise cloud systems as needed.
- Collaborate closely with the Graduate Studies team including Recruiting & Marketing, Admissions, Summer Studies, and University Marketing to ensure system functionality aligns with strategic goals and operational needs.
- Define and manage the Slate product roadmap, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and user needs.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions, monitor performance, and manage transitions from development to production.
- Serve as a liaison between business units and technical teams, translating requirements and resolving integration or customization challenges.
- Coordinate with enterprise architects and data teams to ensure alignment of product and platform strategies.
- Evaluate and prototype new Slate features and technologies to support innovation and continuous improvement.
- Lead major system releases, ensuring new functionality meets business and technical requirements.
- Mentor team members who support Slate operations and development.
- Ensure the team maintains system performance, security, and compliance standards.
- Align team activities with product goals, ensuring operational readiness for new features and updates.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in business, information systems or related field.
- 6+ years of relevant experience in IT, business, or higher education, with a strong understanding of end-user needs and value drivers.
- 3+ years in progressively responsible roles across business and/or IT functions. Business-only backgrounds are acceptable if they include significant technology collaboration.
- Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders in support of strategic initiatives.
- Experience managing technical teams or direct reports is strongly preferred.
- Familiarity with CRM platforms (preferably Slate), design thinking principles, and modern software delivery methodologies.
- Strong communication, time management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Salary:
$95,000 (depending on experience)
Benefits:
WPI offers a comprehensive package including 4 weeks of paid time off, an additional week at the end of December, 13 paid holidays, health, dental, and vision insurance, a 9.5% retirement match after one year, disability and life insurance, tuition assistance (including full WPI tuition for dependents after 3 years), and free access to the fitness center.
