Project Manager - Product Operations

Project Manager – Product Operations

Since 1858, the American Printing House for the Blind has operated in Louisville, Kentucky as the world’s largest nonprofit organization creating accessible learning experiences through educational, workplace, and independent living products and services for people who are blind and low vision.

There’s no other place like it.  Creating things that make a real difference in people’s lives is what we do. 

Mission: A world leader in empowering people who are blind or low vision by providing accessible and innovative products, materials, and services for lifelong success.

ABIDE: Here at the American Printing House for the Blind, we live by the motto, “Welcome Everyone”. Many modern organizations value diversity and inclusion: we choose to go further, understanding that more must be done to foster a sense of belonging in our institution.  To that end, we are committed to advancing accessibility and belonging, as well as inclusion, diversity, and equity in all aspects of our workspace, and to enriching our company with our distinct life experiences.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Product Operations and Customer Analytics, the Project Manager – Product Operations will aid the Educational Product Innovation department in their efforts to assure the timely development of innovative products to support the needs of blind and low vision students and adults.

This position requires a professional with strong attention to detail, process-oriented thinking, and a high level of energy to accomplish tasks in a fast-paced, high-growth, cross-functional environment.  The successful candidate will exhibit the APH core values of respect, growth, and innovation in all aspects of work.

• Create and manage processes for the development of new and modernized/modified products.  With input from stakeholders throughout APH, continuously evaluate the effectiveness of these processes. Collaborate with stakeholders across APH to address bottlenecks in product development.
• Effectively apply established methodology to create project standards, utilizing established product-management governance and related tools to ensure APH produces highly innovative, universally designed quality products that meet the lifetime needs of individuals with blindness and low vision.
• Create and maintain dashboards and other reporting elements to effectively communicate with APH leadership, staff, and other key stakeholders on project status and roadblocks.
• Ensure compliance with all external standards and organizations and requirements, including adhering to the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) and managing the annual Department of Education Panel Review project.
• In collaboration with stakeholders across APH, manage and maintain EPI’s product development systems and support the training of EPI staff on using these tools.
• Manage the development of EPI’s Annual Research Report, including defining project scope, developing schedule and communication management plans, identifying and managing a team of contributors, and directing and monitoring project progress.
• Chair the Product Ideation Committee: track, record, and report on status of all product-idea submissions; develop monthly agendas; coordinate product-idea reviews; communicate with stakeholders throughout this initial phase of idea-consideration.  Monitor idea queue to ensure ideas are considered on a timely basis, establish and maintain an effective response plan in the event of idea-consideration delays.
• Represent APH through webinars, attendance, and presentations at conferences, networking events, etc.
• Work with EPI staff and other APH stakeholders to identify and implement process improvements; continuously monitor effectiveness of new processes.
• Remain current on industry trends and best practices.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred; combination of relevant experience and education may be substituted.
• Project-management training and experience; industry coursework and/or certification preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in product development preferred.
• Experience with stage-gate development processes and Agile development methodologies preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.
• Exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Experience working with vendor partners, government partners, and meeting government requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Experience administering project-management software, e.g., Redmine or Jira.
• Knowledge of accessibility practices preferred.
• Willingness to travel 2–4 weeks annually.

$54,000 – $67,000 | Salary is negotiable dependent upon experience.

Benefits include but are not limited to:

• Accessible, Diverse, and Inclusive Workforce
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employer
• Health Insurance covered at 80% for employees – plans include family planning benefits
• HSA Plan and FSA Plan – both include company contribution!
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Health and Well-being initiatives
• 401(k) Plans with company match and immediate vesting
• Company provided Short Term Disability
• Basic Life Insurance at no cost to employees
• Voluntary Life Insurance with Accidental Death and Disability
• 4 weeks PTO
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Educational Assistance and Professional Development Opportunities
• Optional Hybrid Work Schedule
• Voluntary Pet Insurance

To apply: click here.  If you have trouble accessing the application through Paycom, please contact Ryan Ward at rward@aph.org.