Product Manager

The incumbent works in the Product Management and Acceptance Section within the Program Delivery Division of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS).

The incumbent functions as a Product Manager and a Product Owner for development, deployment, operation and maintenance of new products and services for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book program.

As the Product Manager, you will: Carry out duties and responsibilities for the acquisition, development, and life cycle management of products for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs.

Plan, obtain and manage the full product life cycle (design, development, production, operations, maintenance, disposal and replacement); and coordinate with other NLS divisions, Library of Congress (LoC) program offices and external stakeholders.

Have responsibility for the management of data and processes used in design, production, deployment and support of NLS braille and talking book program delivery products.

Create product development and product deployment project plans and schedules; estimate resource requirements; define milestones and deliverables; monitor project activities; and evaluate project progress. Create plans for the development of products for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs.

Establish product development project strategies that integrate the efforts of engineers, business analysts, technical SMEs, contractors, LoC patrons, and other stakeholders from other organizations, agencies, and external contracted facilities into an effective project team.

Coordinate the work efforts of subject matter experts and technical specialists charged with the development of products for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs in accordance with established timelines.

Function as a Product Owner and lead, facilitate, and chair meetings including requirements analysis, specification development, preliminary and critical design reviews and system integration tests. Create plans for the deployment of products for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs.

Coordinate the work efforts of subject matter experts and technical specialists charged with the deployment and sustainment of products for delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs in accordance with established timelines.

Have responsibility for the creation and review of formal product deployment documentation, including but not limited to Deployment Plans, Communications Plans, Training Plans, Implementation Plans, and Project Schedules.

Plan, direct, and coordinate pilot projects and field tests of new program delivery products in anticipation of release to the greater patron population. Plan and direct the data collection for pilot/field test results and prepares reports to document findings/outcomes.

Lead division-wide strategic management planning, initiatives and organizational development efforts for the Program Delivery Division to accomplish strategic objectives in support of delivery of the NLS braille and talking book programs.

Lead efforts to develop strategies for achievement of business goals, process improvement, and knowledge management initiatives within the Program Delivery Division and/or across other NLS/BPD business units. Develop and manage processes for management of Program Delivery strategic initiatives and efforts.

Initiate contact and provide expert technical advice and direction to contractor professionals on product development issues and requirements. Review and provide oversight of the requirements for contractual support for product development, operations and maintenance.

Review and develop statements of work, acquisition packages, market research reports, contract solicitations and coordinates with contracting officers to ensure all Program Delivery Division contracts are issued in a timely manner. The position description number for this position is 415410.

The salary range indicated reflects the locality pay adjustments for the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan area. The incumbent of this position will work a Flexitime work schedule. This is a non-supervisory, bargaining unit position. Relocation expenses will not be authorized for the person(s) selected under this vacancy announcement.

Applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.

Knowledge of product life cycle management.** Ability to create product development strategy plans for the development of products.** Ability to create plans for the deployment of products for delivery of a major program and/or service to end users.** Ability to provide management and contractor oversight for product development projects.** Ability to lead strategic planning, program analysis, and problem solving.

Knowledge of braille, talking books and related products and services. Ability to interact collaboratively with others. Ability to communicate in writing. Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.