Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Technical 411Pay Range: $161,000.00 - $249,500.00

Job Description

As a Staff Product Manager, Marketing Optimization, you will own the strategy and execution of marketing optimization capabilities that support the learner journey from website engagement through application submission. This role combines deep product management expertise with strong technical acumen to drive measurable business outcomes across a complex marketing technology ecosystem. You will partner closely with stakeholders across marketing, security, architecture, engineering, analytics, and product teams to prioritize investments, optimize funnel performance, and deliver scalable platform solutions that support university goals.

What You'll Do

• Develop and manage strategic product roadmaps that align business objectives, user needs, and technology capabilities.
• Partner with stakeholders, engineers, architects, designers, and end users to identify problems, define requirements, and deliver impactful solutions.
• Lead marketing optimization initiatives focused on improving funnel performance, conversion metrics, and business outcomes.
• Create shared outcomes across multiple teams and influence work beyond direct ownership to drive customer impact.
• Define product release strategies and ensure readiness across business and technical partners.
• Monitor product performance through success metrics, analytics, and data-driven decision making, adjusting priorities when needed.
• Lead research efforts, business case development, ROI analyses, and technology modernization planning to support long-term product strategy.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 8 years of experience as a Software Product Manager or Product Owner.
• Professional Product Certification (e.g., Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Pragmatic Marketing).
• Experience working in agile environments.
• Possesses a deep understanding and technical background in Service Oriented Architecture.
• Understands the scope of cloud computing and how to work with software architecture to identify best practices for delivering high-scale, reliable, sustainable, and secure platforms.
• Ability to create design artifacts that provide visual and narrative detail of architectural requirements, decisions, and designs.
• Ability to communicate technical issues, business requirements, and value-based outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and best practices.
• Knowledge of programming languages, databases, cloud technologies, and software development methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make critical decisions regarding software architecture and development.
• Ability to think strategically about product architecture and align technology investments with long-term business goals.
• Excellent presentation, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Leadership instincts with a positive team-building approach.
• Strong passion for exploring and understanding large-scale cloud platform requirements.
• Experience with large enterprise platforms and integrations.
• Experience with marketing optimization platforms and technologies such as marketing automation platforms, analytics tools, customer data platforms, CRM platforms, campaign management tools, or business intelligence solutions.
• Experience using data, analytics, and KPI measurement to prioritize work and drive business outcomes.

In Lieu of Education

Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education, and is at the hiring manager's discretion.

Bonus Points

• Master's Degree.
• Experience in Education Technology.
• Experience with enterprise marketing optimization strategies, funnel metrics, and revenue-focused product initiatives.

What to Expect

At WGU, our mission drives everything we do, including how we hire. Our interview experience is designed to give qualified candidates the opportunity to show their best work through meaningful conversations and collaboration.

We thoughtfully review every application and invite forward the candidates whose experience and potential best align with the role and our mission.

• Hiring manager interview
• Interview panel

Work Location

This is a full-time, in-office position requiring five days per week in our Salt Lake City, UT office, designed to foster the collaboration and connection that fuel our best work.

Visa Sponsorship

While we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, WGU is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this role.

Travel Requirement

This position requires occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements.

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Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.