Digital Product Manager

What makes the Connecticut Digital Service a GREAT fit for you? Our Mission. The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS)  is embarking upon a Digital Transformation journey to uplift the lives and well-being of our citizens, businesses and employees. Our goal is to improve access to our valuable programs and services in a way that makes it easier to interact with government. When you join the Connecticut Digital Service, you’ll be part of a team who will create delightful experiences that are easy, simple and personalized for everyone. If you like working with a curious, supportive, high-performing team who solves complex problems then the State of Connecticut is the place for you.

The Connecticut Digital Service is looking to hire one (1) durational Digital Product Manager, who will manage a cross-functional leadership team focused on improving the digital service offerings of the State of Connecticut. The Product Manager will develop new process and methodology for the product development leadership that is consistent with the goals and objectives of the new Connecticut Digital Service. The new process will include more robust tools and techniques for defining complex problems and deliver high impact and meaningful solutions.

The Product Manager must be a strong communicator with excellent interpersonal skills, able to solve complex problems while successfully managing ambiguity and unexpected change. The Product Manager must be teachable and embracing of best practices and feedback as a means of continuous improvement and the candidate selected to fill this role must be a consistently high achiever, marked by perseverance, humility and a positive outlook in the face of challenges.

This position with Connecticut Digital Service offers a flexible work agreement lasting for up to 3 years, a collaborative work environment, encouragement to be innovative and challenge the status quo as well as a generous benefits package.

If you are a motivated, high-performer, with demonstrated ability to influence and lead others and Connecticut Digital Service sounds like something you would love to be a part of; we encourage you to apply for this exciting role.

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.

State employees currently holding the above title or those who have previously attained permanent status in this class may apply for a lateral transfer.

Questions about these required documents or any other phase of this recruitment should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Theresa Judge at Theresa.judge@ct.gov.  

In a state agency makes or conducts a special inquiry, investigation, examination or installation pursuant to Section 5-198(n) of the Connecticut General Statutes.

This position will manage end-to-end product and project management activities to enable the delivery of modern solutions that meet the needs of users and is responsible for the following:

• Develops and leads modern, agile product and project management processes to iteratively deliver solutions
  
• Establishes the project environment necessary to operate as a high performing cross-functional team in partnership with stakeholders
  
• Develops the foundation for ongoing implementation, including building and clearly communicating the vision, strategy, roadmap, and resources required for delivery
  
• Scopes, prioritizes, and translates technical and design tasks into delivery plans
  
• Proactively manages tasks that are required for delivery, including government-specific deliverables
  
• Ensures the team meets required policies and makes recommendations for improvement as relevant
  
• Drives open communication regarding the project with the public (e.g., blog posts)
  
• Uses data to validate and drive decision-making

Collaborates with colleagues and navigates complex situations to deliver meaningful, impactful results for users, stakeholders, and teammates 

• Solves complex problems through the use of human-centered design, open-source development and innovation, data-driven decision making, and agile development practices
  
• Communicates and collaborates with partners throughout the state to ensure we are enabling their long-term success
  
• Supports team members by helping them clear any challenges they may encounter
  
• Promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among all colleagues
  
• Succeeds in a highly ambiguous environment with little definition or structure
  
• Acknowledges and overcomes constraints as they arise
  

Contributes to the overall development and success of the Connecticut Digital Service

• Mentors, coaches, and motivates teammates to develop skills and behaviors to enhance performance
  
• Maintains strong domain expertise in their own technical role while jumping into other roles as needed
  
• Performs other duties and special projects

• Experience leading interdisciplinary product teams in the research, design, development and delivery of digital products or services. This experience should include all of the following:
  • Leading the development of multiple digital products or services, or leading the development of multiple features in large products
  • Creating and managing the product vision based on user research and metrics
• Leading teams through the adoption of new tools, technologies or methodologies
• Experience leading digital product or service development, from concept to delivery, within highly ambiguous or uncertain situations. This experience should include the following:
  • Leading products with multiple dependencies requiring joint releases to achieve measurable and demonstrated business objectives
  • Leading entrepreneurial efforts with measurable and demonstrated impact to the organization
• Experience leading the development, delivery or integration of highly complex digital products or services. This experience should include the following:
  • Developing new products or services for proof of concepts
  • Developing products or services for legacy migrations
  • Developing products or services for large integrations
  • Developing products, services or features for large consumer products
• Experience applying leading industry practices in the design, development and delivery of digital products or services. This experience should include the following:
  • Developing digital products or services using experimentation based frameworks
  • Developing digital products or services using iterative development methodologies
  • Developing digital products or services using user-centered design and planning tools
  • Developing digital products or services using continuous delivery methodologies
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing; and foster communications with all colleagues
• Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with all levels of government staff
• Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment
• Proficient in  the use of modern product management and delivery tools and services and the ability to adopt new solutions

Four (4) years of experience in the development of digital products and services.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have included management/supervisory experience.

A Bachelor's degree in the computer sciences may be substituted for the General Experience.

The successful candidate will possess:

• 5 years customer experience;
  
• 5 years of experience utilizing web content best practices;
  
• 5 years of experience with user design disciplines;
  
• 4 years of experience in digital product delivery.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.