Temp/Casual SO Project and Product Lead

Position Overview\

The Strategic Operational Project and Product Lead will provide cross-functional oversight and coordination to support the continued development, enhancement, and success of "Coaching Her", a research based digital coaching tool. This role blends project management, product ownership, and strategic facilitation, with an emphasis on collaboration across diverse teams. While this position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities, it requires strong leadership through influence, operational direction, and hands-on contribution to ensure alignment and progress across teams.

This position is based on campus. Per UMN policy, work may be done remotely when appropriate and approved by your manager.

Job Responsibilities

Coordination (100%)

• Provide strategic direction and operational oversight across all aspects of the digital tool's development and refinement, without direct line management responsibilities.
• Serve as the primary product lead, managing and prioritizing both technical and content backlogs to ensure alignment with organizational goals and user needs.
• Collaborate with stakeholders from the research, business development, communications, and training teams to align objectives, create and operationalize workflows, and drive timely execution.
• Facilitate the identification, scoping, and prioritization of enhancements and features to the digital tool in partnership with cross-functional teams.
• Lead and support Agile-informed processes, including backlog grooming and progress tracking, to maintain continuous momentum and accountability.
• Act as a bridge between strategic planning and operational execution, ensuring timely delivery of milestones and coordinated efforts across teams.
• Monitor and support the progress of deliverables, ensuring timelines are met and issues are proactively addressed.
• Communicate regularly and effectively with internal stakeholders to share project status, clarify responsibilities, and align decision-making.
• Contribute directly to the completion of backlog tasks and enhancements as needed, supporting both strategy and execution.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation in service of developing tools that advance equitable coaching practices for girls.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation in service of developing tools that advance equitable coaching practices for girls.

Required Qualifications

• Proven experience in product management, project coordination, or program management in a cross-functional setting.
• Strong leadership, planning, and communication skills, particularly in facilitating collaboration across diverse teams.
• Experience managing both technical development and content-related initiatives.
• Familiarity with Agile workflows.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience coordinating across nonprofit, academic, and commercial sectors.
• Familiarity with Google Workspace, Slack, Miro, and other collaborative work tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate research insights into actionable product decisions.

Department Overview

The School of Kinesiology focuses on the biological, developmental, social, and behavioral bases of physical activity, recreation, sport and human performance through its programs in kinesiology, recreation and leisure students, and sport studies. The degree programs in the School prepare students for a variety of professional opportunities in both the public and private sector. The fields of teaching, community service, allied health, industry and business are career paths that graduates of our programs may anticipate as avenues of employment and further professional training.
Further information can be found at: http://cehd.umn.kin

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The salary for this position is $15.75 - $40.00. Final salary offers are dependent on the candidate's experience, skills, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 25%

Position Type: Temporary

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).