At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product strategy and transform school management tools for better user experiences.
- Company: Join Arbor, a mission-driven company improving education through innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 32 days holiday, wellness support, and flexible working arrangements.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional development and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while working with passionate professionals.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in product management and leadership in complex domains.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 100000 £ per year.
Location: Remote, UK
Salary: up to £100,000 per annum
About us
At Arbor, we’re on a mission to transform the way schools work for the better. We believe in a future of work in schools where being challenged doesn’t mean being burnt out and overworked. Our School Management Tools are already making a difference in over 12,500 schools and trusts, giving time and power back to staff, turning data into clear, actionable insights, and supporting happier working days.
About the role
We are looking for a highly strategic and experienced Principal Product Manager to join our product team. This role is for a seasoned individual contributor who will operate at the most senior level within the product management function. You will be responsible for creating and owning the product and commercial strategy for one of our core domains, tackling wide and complex problem spaces with a high degree of autonomy.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, data-driven individual who is comfortable with ambiguity, a master of stakeholder management, and a confident leader who can drive significant impact without direct authority. You'll be a key voice in shaping not just the product, but the strategic direction of your domain and the wider product organisation.
Core responsibilities
- Own the product vision and roadmap for a core domain, maintaining a pragmatic and customer-grounded strategy that balances the needs of an established product with longer-term business goals.
- Lead discovery within your core domain, and contribute structured product thinking to wider initiatives across the business portfolio as opportunities arise.
- Contribute product expertise across the wider team, and help embed strong product practices.
- Champion a user-centric approach by leading cross-functional teams to identify, test, and validate product solutions.
- Use data to measure and communicate the impact of your product work.
- Proactively influence stakeholders, ensuring alignment on product vision, strategy, and roadmap.
- Maintain and communicate a deep contextual awareness of the business, the edtech landscape, and user needs.
About you
We’re looking for a highly independent and strategic product manager who can navigate complex domains and stakeholder landscapes with confidence and clarity. In addition, we'd love to see:
- Significant experience as an expert in product management and leadership.
- Experience in maintaining products within complex technical domains.
- Solid experience in product management, including maintaining and improving established products.
- Familiarity with the challenges of legacy or on-premise products.
- The ability to create and articulate impactful narratives and communicate complex concepts with clarity.
- A track record of delivering significant business results and leading initiatives that redefine success for the organization.
- A growth mindset and a resilient approach to navigating critical business challenges.
- A passion for building products that make a real difference to the working lives of people in schools.
What we offer
- 32 days holiday (plus Bank Holidays).
- Life Assurance paid out at 3x annual salary.
- Comprehensive wellness benefit provided by AIG Smart Health.
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa.
- Salary sacrifice Pension provided by Scottish Widows.
- Enhanced maternity and adoption leave.
- Access to services such as Calm and Bippit.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Dedicated professional development training budget.
- Volunteer with a charity of your choice for a day each year.
Interview process
- Phone screen
- 1st stage interview
- 2nd stage with presentation
Arbor Education is an equal opportunities organisation. Our goal is for Arbor to be a workplace which represents, celebrates and supports people from all backgrounds.
Principal Product Manager employer: Arbor Education
At Arbor, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a healthy work-life balance and fosters a supportive, collaborative culture. Our remote working environment allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development, ensuring our team members are not only challenged but also fulfilled in their roles. Join us in our mission to create happier working lives for educators, where your contributions directly impact the future of education.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Product Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those already at Arbor. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info about the company culture and what they really value.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for your interviews by diving deep into Arbor's products and mission. Show us that you understand our goals and how your experience aligns with making schools happier places to work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've tackled complex problems in product management. We love hearing about your journey and the impact you've made.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Product Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Product Manager role. Highlight your experience in product management, especially in complex domains, and show how your skills align with our mission at Arbor.
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made. Use data and specific examples to illustrate how you've driven transformative change in products and improved user experiences.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value a growth mindset and a passion for making a difference in education, so don’t hesitate to share your motivations and what excites you about this opportunity.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arbor Education
✨Know Your Product Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into Arbor's products, especially TimeTabler. Understand its features, user feedback, and how it fits into the broader edtech landscape. This will help you articulate your vision for its future and demonstrate your commitment to improving the user experience.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare to discuss your approach to product strategy and how you've tackled complex problems in the past. Use specific examples that highlight your ability to balance customer needs with business goals, especially in environments with legacy products.
✨Engage with Data-Driven Insights
Be ready to talk about how you've used data to inform product decisions. Share examples of how you've measured success and adapted strategies based on insights. This will resonate well with Arbor's focus on data-driven progress.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Management Skills
Since this role involves influencing a range of stakeholders, prepare to discuss your experience in managing relationships and aligning diverse teams towards a common goal. Highlight any successful collaborations that led to transformative changes in your previous roles.
