Associate Product Manager

Application Deadline: 30 October 2026Department: ProductLocation: New York Description Big Happy is looking for an Associate Product Manager to help bring our product roadmap to life across our in-house platforms, including the order management system and creative production tool our own Engineering and Design teams build and maintain. Reporting to the Sr. Product Manager, this role turns business needs and discovery insights into clear, build-ready requirements that enable Design and Engineering to move quickly and confidently. You will lead structured discovery with Sales, Operations, and Client Services to uncover pain points and clarify workflows, then translate what you learn into detailed PRDs, user stories, and acceptance criteria. You will independently own assigned product workstreams, keep momentum through agile delivery, and surface trade-offs and risks early so solutions stay practical, well-scoped, and aligned with platform capabilities and business goals. The ideal candidate is a strong writer and clear thinker who enjoys untangling complex workflows, asks thoughtful questions, and takes pride in documentation that engineers can build from without guesswork. Key Responsibilities Write Detailed Product Requirements: Translate discovery findings and roadmap priorities into complete PRDs for our in-house order management and creative production platforms, including problem statements, user needs, scope, workflows, dependencies, acceptance criteria, and open questionsLead Cross-Functional Discovery: Run structured discovery conversations with Sales, Operations, Client Services, and other internal stakeholders to uncover pain points, validate business needs, and clarify edge casesOwn Assigned Workstreams: Drive day-to-day execution of defined product workstreams within the broader roadmap by organizing tasks, tracking decisions, and moving initiatives forward with limited oversightDeliver Build-Ready Documentation: Synthesize requests, process details, and technical context into specific, unambiguous documentation for UX and Engineering, aligned with Big Happy's product documentation standardsSurface Trade-offs and Risks Early: Identify scope, timeline, dependency, and technical trade-offs; evaluate their impact on delivery and user outcomes; and escalate decisions promptly rather than waiting for directionSupport Agile Delivery: Partner with Engineering during backlog refinement, sprint planning, and delivery follow-through by clarifying requirements and keeping tickets aligned with intended product behaviorBuild Platform Knowledge: Develop working knowledge of core platform functionality, user workflows, and system interactions across our in-house order management and creative production platforms so requirements reflect operational realities and integration constraintsKeep Artifacts Current: Update PRDs, document revisions, and communicate requirement changes to stakeholders as decisions evolve, ensuring agreed outcomes are reflected through delivery Skills, Knowledge and Expertise 1-3 years of professional experience, including at least 1 year in a product or product-adjacent role where you wrote requirements and shipped work with an engineering teamExperience working in an agile software or SaaS environment, including backlog refinement, sprint planning, or related delivery activitiesDemonstrated ability to elicit needs from stakeholders and turn them into clear requirements, user stories, and acceptance criteria, including mapping and documenting workflowsWorking experience developing user stories, refining backlogs, and mapping and documenting processesEnough technical fluency to follow high-level discussions about APIs, integrations, and data flowExcellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to write clearly for technical and non-technical audiences and build strong working relationships across Sales, Operations, Client Services, Design, and EngineeringStrong analytical thinking and judgment, with the ability to weigh trade-offs and prioritize effectivelyA proactive, ownership-driven mindset; comfortable taking initiative and driving work forward independentlyAbility to build strong relationships across Sales, Operations, Client Services, Design, and EngineeringBachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, computer science, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience Nice to HaveBackground in ad tech or digital media, whether ad operations, trafficking, agency, publisher, or ad server sideExperience with SaaS product operations or systems integration documentationComfortable using AI tools in day-to-day product work, such as research synthesis, drafting, and analysis. Benefits Full-time position with a competitive base salaryAccess to benefits, including Healthcare, Dental, and VisionUnlimited PTO - take what you needHSA/FSA match programBig Happy-provided laptopParticipation in Big Happy's stock programPaid Parental LeaveHalf Day Fridays (except Q4)Team Happy camaraderie, celebrating wins, learning from challenges, and fostering continuous career growthA workplace culture where you can be yourself, contribute meaningfully, and be valued for your impact Location: New York, New York (Hybrid) or Chicago (Hybrid). This role works from our NYC or CHI office 3 days per week. Total Compensation: $85,000-$110,000 base salary + 10% semi-annual bonus. Actual base pay will depend on factors such as experience, skills, and location. The total compensation package may include bonuses, equity, and comprehensive benefits.