Executive Product & Strategy Officer

This position works remotely, requiring a telecommuting agreement and adherence to the UCSC Telecommuting/Remote Work Guidelines. The employee shall be available in a full-time capacity during assigned telecommuting work hours (specific hours to be discussed with supervisor). While telecommuting/remote working, the employee is responsible for ensuring a worksite environment suitable for accomplishing their regular job duties during scheduled hours of work and, if applicable, arranging for dependent care just as they would if working at the regular UCSC worksite. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Initial review date: 08-19-2026. UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the initial review date will be routed to the hiring team for consideration.

About UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

Department Overview

The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is a public agency supported by 12 states and territories. Through the work of thousands of educators, Smarter Balanced created an online assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), as well as tools for educators to improve teaching and learning. Smarter Balanced is housed at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Silicon Valley Extension. Our work is guided by the belief that a high-quality assessment system can provide information and tools for teachers and schools to improve instruction and help students succeed, regardless of disability, language, or subgroup. We involve experienced educators, researchers, state and local policymakers, and community groups working together in a transparent and consensus-driven process. More information can be found at smarterbalanced.org.

About the Role

The Executive Product & Strategy Officer (EPSO) is accountable for providing oversight and strategic direction around the organization's product, project management, and software development. The incumbent provides executive oversight to team members, working in collaboration with other Smarter Balanced Executives and Smarter Balanced Consortium members to provide services and create products and applications that are relevant, high-quality, and delivered on time. Work teams under the direction of this executive include Project Management, Product Management, Application Services, and Software Development.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Management of Products (70%)
  • Provide executive oversight and strategic direction and quality of the Organization's products and tools, aligned to and anticipating member needs and field trends.
  • Directly and through subordinate staff, provide leadership and direction to project management, applications & software development, and product teams engaged in best practices, effectively collaborating with members and other Smarter Balanced teams.
  • Guide staff regarding requirements gathering processes as applicable to their areas of responsibility to ensure that Smarter Balanced remains a leader in the educational assessment field.
  • Make recommendations to the Deputy Executive Director and implement decisions on issues (content-related, operational, member customer service) that have organization-wide impact.
  • Provide executive oversight regarding systems and processes to ensure that staff employs transparent project management strategies as well as clear pipelines of development, testing, and production.
  • Closely collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team to identify and explore opportunities for innovation in assessment products/process and build product team capacity to pursue innovation work using the Organization's green-lighting process.
• Leadership, Supervision, and Operations (30%)
  • Provide direct supervision to assigned staff, including responsibility for staff development, performance management, and evaluation. Hiring and work assignment for direct reports.
  • Exercise independent judgment in managing personnel and have the authority to effectively recommend or take action on employment decisions.
  • Collaborate with other Smarter Balanced executives to set organizational objectives, short- and long-term.
  • Represent the organization in meetings and in conversations with interest holders.
  • Provide executive oversight regarding the organization’s approach to project management and ensure that projects and tasks are well planned, monitored, and appropriately adjusted as needed.
  • Develop and implement internal unit procedures, exercising independent judgment to ensure unit objectives align with departmental and organizational goals. Establish clear unit priorities, communicate expectations, and ensure accountability across functions.
  • Foster an environment that promotes a culture of professionalism, inclusion, and respect within the team. Encourage teamwork and a culture of learning among staff. Address interpersonal or morale issues in a timely and constructive manner. Ensure work is performed in alignment with organizational standards, values, and objectives.

Requirements

• Advanced degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training.
• Advanced experience eliciting requirements from K-12 state agencies in a high-stakes environment.
• Advanced experience in project management strategies with demonstrated experience managing large-scale educational assessment projects, products, and services.
• Proficient knowledge of the software lifecycle and development process.
• Demonstrated experience in being responsive to stakeholders' needs.
• Experience in leading change management activities including ensuring fidelity of implementation to new processes and procedures.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively present technical topics to large groups and senior management with potentially varied levels of technical sophistication.
• Excellent written communication skills, including proficiency in grammar, spelling, and formatting.
• Ability to translate complex information into easily understandable written content for internal and external interest holders.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to see and strategize for the bigger picture.
• Experience ensuring that organizational practices, services, and behaviors support and promote collaboration among staff, with the demonstrated ability to personally build relationships and work collaboratively with others in a virtual environment.
• Demonstrated experience with senior management planning and budgeting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a related field (PhD, JD, MD, etc.).
• Proficient knowledge regarding how to apply Artificial Intelligence to improve the quality and efficiency of informational technology and project management practices.
• A proven track record of management and leadership skills to support a team that engages in complex, technical, and time-sensitive work, including providing feedback and coaching, while maintaining a positive work environment.

Special Conditions of Employment

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• This is a fully remote position, and the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Ability to travel nationally (up to 25% of the time).
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed, including UC compliance training.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment.

Pay

Budgeted salary: $147,250 - $190,000/year. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.

Schedule

• Full-time, fixed position.
• 100% time, 40 hours per week.
• Days of the week: Monday–Friday.
• Shift includes: Day.
• Career appointment.
• Work location: Remote.
• Union representation: Non-represented.

Benefits

Full benefits level eligibility.