Director of Product, Readers & Learners - The New York Public Library : Job Details

The New York Public Library has been an essential provider of free books, information, ideas, and education for all New Yorkers for over 125 years. Founded in 1895, NYPL is the nation's largest neighborhood public library system and the most used research library in the world. The Library's portfolio of digital products and platforms is the core linchpin in how our patrons near and far can access information to create new content, support their personal learning and build stronger communities.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Product Management and User Experience, the Director of Product, Readers & Learners leads the Library's digital efforts to modernize the reading experience and support the continued transformation of our libraries into iconic centers of learning. You will lead the patron digital experience as we engage, enable and empower New Yorkers to build a lifelong thriving reading and learning culture. The ideal candidate is a dynamic product leader with a track record of aligning cross-functional teams and partnering with stakeholders to deliver large-scale innovative solutions that improve users' lives. Successful candidates will help the Library become an exemplar for the ethical and sustainable use of technology in society.

We are looking for someone we can count on to:

Own:

• The product strategy and development for the digital Readers & Learners portfolio
• The development of product plans, roadmaps, and KPIs and OKRs
• The “voice of the customer” to ensure staff and patron needs are front and center
• The stakeholder management for the Readers & Learners portfolio

Teach:

• Translation of broad business and user needs into non-ambiguous requirements and product user stories for our development teams
• Best practices of product development to the entire product discovery and delivery team and ensure everyone is aligned
• The product discovery to delivery journey

Learn:

• About patron needs, latest technologies, and constraints to properly represent them in key decision moments
• About institutional priorities and requirements that shape the Readers & Learners portfolio strategy and approach

Improve:

• The reach, impact and value delivered to patrons by our Readers & Learners solutions
• The speed at which we iterate and improve on our services
• The experience that patrons have accessing digital content and attending events

Some expectations for this role are that within:

1 month:

• Understand the functional structure and core mission of NYPL & Digital
• Understand the product vision and strategy for the Readers & Learners portfolio
• Establish contacts across the Digital Team and begin to develop partnerships with key stakeholders
• Learn relevant priorities and digital products this position will shape
• Meet key stakeholders from around the institution and relevant outside stakeholders

3 months:

• Understand the competitive landscape, audience priorities, and key factors shaping our Readers & Learners solution
• Own product planning, competitive analysis, roadmapping, partnerships and delivery conversations for assigned portfolios
• Lead cross-functional team meetings and provide regular reporting to leadership
• Be conversant in in-house toolsets (e.g., JIRA, Confluence, Airtable)
• Deepen contacts across the institution to discover business needs and set priorities
• Coordinate strategies to meet the Library's five-year plan

6 months and beyond:

• Fully own the strategy and vision for the Readers & Learners digital portfolio and advocate for internal partners, patrons, and institutional goals
• Communicate strategy and delivery roadmaps to stakeholders
• Initiate and monitor execution of initiatives to enhance the portfolio
• Develop deep domain knowledge of user needs and pain points
• Collaborate with Design/UX, Engineering, and Project Management to drive user research and goals

Responsibilities

• Own and drive the product vision and strategy for the Library's digital Readers & Learners portfolio
• Understand the digital landscape and the evolving market of reading and learning
• Champion the needs and experiences of our patrons with empathy
• Guide product delivery based on learnings, priorities, and portfolio objectives
• Oversee and shape roadmaps, deliverables, and user research
• Analyze offerings, conduct user research, and identify opportunities
• Identify and track key metrics to assess performance and improvement opportunities
• Set goals to promote reading and build community
• Perform other related duties as necessary

Required Education and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree OR equivalent experience as listed

Required Experience

• 10 years of relevant experience in a digital product or content leadership role
• 7+ years in full lifecycle digital product management, including discovery and development
• 7-8 years of management experience

Required Skills

• Ability to work on deadlines; organized, detail oriented and capable of prioritization
• Ability to collaborate with multiple technical and non-technical teams
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, oral and written communication skills
• Strong technical and business acumen; ability to analyze digital solutions and translate into impact
• Familiarity with leading mobile and e-reading technologies (e.g., Libby, OverDrive, Kindle, Audible)
• Knowledge of product management frameworks (Lean/Agile); experience writing product documentation and user stories

Managerial/Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise product managers directly and provide cross-functional leadership to the Readers & Learners digital portfolio team

Core Values

All team members are expected to embody the NYPL Core Values:

• Be Helpful to patrons and colleagues
• Be Resourceful in solving problems
• Be Curious in all aspects of work
• Be Welcoming and Inclusive
• Requires work in NYC office a minimum of 3 days a week; this is not a remote opportunity

Physical Duties

• Some light lifting/moving may be required

Pre-Placement Physical Required?

• No

Union/Non Union

• Non-Union

FLSA Status

• Exempt

Schedule

• Monday - Friday (9-5PM)
• Hybrid Work Environment; requires work in NYC office a minimum of three days a week - not remote

Note: This job description represents typical responsibilities and may be updated as Library priorities change.