Director of Product Innovation

Director Of Product Innovation The Director Of Product Innovation is accountable for the future of the Southwestern Advantage product portfolio. This position identifies opportunities and strategies to serve families through innovative and relevant product offerings through thoughtful client and market research. The Director Of Product Innovation connects the field insight to portfolio solutions and leads the design, sourcing, and launch of new products and services including digital, AI-enabled and service-based solutions beyond historical print catalog offerings. This position owns the decision of what we build and what we retire. The Director Of Product Innovation reports to the President Of Southwestern Advantage and works in close partnership with the Director Of Product Quality And Enhancement, Sales, Marketing, IT and Finance and provides excellent customer service to team members and customers while demonstrating the company values and supporting the mission.

Design products against the constraints of our channel: a product must be understandable to a parent in a single in-home presentation, and valuable enough that the family still uses it six months later. Define pricing, packaging, and bundle architecture in partnership with Sales and Finance Champion and oversee product requirements, learning design standards, and launch readiness criteria. Identify, evaluate, and negotiate content licensing, technology licensing, white-label, and reseller relationships with publishers, platforms, and technology providers Structure agreements that protect the channel — including field exclusivity, pricing latitude, customer data ownership, AI and derivative-works rights, and wind-down provisions that guarantee delivery to families who have already paid Make and defend build-versus-license-versus-partner decisions with clear reasoning about cost, speed, and defensibility Maintain a validated three-to-five-year roadmap, for the full portfolio and detail product diagnose-design-launch-evaluate timeline within the roadmap, that states its assumptions rather than assuming its conclusions Lead an annual portfolio review with key stakeholders, including President and product and organization leaders, including formal recommendations to sunset, restructure, or reprice underperforming offerings Own the new product development budget and report on return against itEnsure all products and product claims comply with applicable requirements, including student data privacy (COPPA, FERPA and applicable state law), accessibility standards, and truth-in-advertising substantiation for any educational efficacy claim Adherence to data and factual product representations regarding claims of learning outcomes. Popular but unsupported educational frameworks will not be used as the basis for product design or marketing copy Collaborate via regular monthly meetings with all departments including marketing, finance, product, IT, operations, sales and administration Partner with the Director Of Product Quality And Enhancement on handoff of validated new products into ongoing catalog stewardship Perform other duties as assigned

Experience developing and managing strategic partnerships, including negotiating vendor, licensing, distribution, or platform agreements and assessing associated business risks and opportunities. Demonstrated success leading cross-functional initiatives in complex, matrixed organizations, influencing stakeholders, building alignment, and driving results without direct authority. Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to evaluate opportunities, manage competing priorities, and execute against long-term business objectives. Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively influence executives, partners, and cross-functional teams Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously while accomplishing daily tasks Attention to detail and critical thinker with exceptional problem-solving skills High standards for integrity, honesty, professionalism, and work ethic Commitment to service excellence Ability to work independently while demonstrating excellent organization and follow through Demonstrate flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload Ability and willingness to move with purpose and a strong sense of urgency Self-motivated, positive, and enthusiastic Self-starter with a strong desire to exceed expectations and capable of supporting a team Maintain confidentiality discretion Ability to effectively work in collaboration with others to achieve business objectives Willing to grow and be challenged Attend training as requested