Partnerships & Product Strategy Dir

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director of Product and Strategic Partnerships, Instructional Connections Partnerships (ICP)

Company: NWEA (A Division of HMH)

Location: Remote (US-based)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Management & Strategic Partnerships

Date Posted: May 21, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal in shaping the future of NWEA's Instructional Connections Partnerships (ICP) program, a key initiative for customer retention and product embedding within educational ecosystems.

• It requires a blend of strategic product management and proactive partnership development to foster an open ecosystem that supports a wide range of partner solutions and integrations.

• The Director will own the ICP product roadmap, including API development, and be accountable for measurable impact on adoption, retention, and overall business objectives.

• Success hinges on strong strategic judgment, hands-on execution, and the ability to effectively collaborate with internal product, engineering, and go-to-market teams, as well as external partners.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges Product Management and Business Development functions, focusing on platform integrations and ecosystem strategy within the EdTech sector. The emphasis on "Instructional Connections Partnerships (ICP)" and "MAP Growth" indicates a specific focus on educational technology and assessment platforms, requiring an understanding of K-12 educational environments and their technology needs.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Strategy & Roadmap Ownership: Define, own, and execute the ICP product strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with the program's next phase and broader platform priorities.

• API and Integration Development: Lead the expansion of ICP capabilities, specifically focusing on API development to enable deeper, more flexible, and high-value partner integrations within customer instructional ecosystems.

• Ecosystem Growth & Management: Drive an open ecosystem strategy, identifying, evaluating, and onboarding strategic partners that enhance the value and utility of connected solutions for customers.

• Partnership Management & Governance: Manage and grow key partner relationships, serving as a senior point of contact, structuring partnership agreements, and establishing ongoing governance to ensure program success.

• Metrics & Impact Measurement: Establish, track, and report on key program success metrics, including adoption rates, customer retention, new business impact, and overall ROI of the ICP program.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with product, engineering, marketing, and sales teams to drive execution, ensure market alignment, and deliver consistently on program goals.

• Portfolio Decision-Making: Make strategic portfolio decisions regarding investment in, expansion of, or reduction of involvement with specific partners and integrations.

• Customer Retention Focus: Leverage ICP integrations to strengthen customer retention by making MAP Growth a more embedded and indispensable part of district instructional technology stacks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a dual focus on technical product development (APIs, integrations) and strategic business development (partner relationships, agreements, portfolio management). This indicates a need for a candidate who can navigate both technical roadmapping and complex business negotiations within a partnership framework.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, Marketing, or a related field is typically expected. A Master's degree or MBA may be preferred.

Experience:

• 8+ years of progressive experience in product management, with a demonstrable track record of defining strategy, owning roadmaps, and delivering measurable business impact.

• Proven experience building and evolving platform products, particularly those involving APIs, integration frameworks, or ecosystem-based offerings.

• Significant experience working directly with external partners, including managing relationships, facilitating integrations, and contributing to the development and negotiation of partnership agreements.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage data, customer insights, and market research to inform product decisions and prioritize investments effectively.

Required Skills:

• Product Management: Expertise in product strategy definition, roadmap development, feature prioritization, and product lifecycle management.

• Strategic Partnerships: Proven ability to identify, cultivate, manage, and grow strategic partnerships, including contract negotiation and relationship management.

• API & Integration Strategy: Understanding of API development principles, integration methodologies, and building scalable platform offerings.

• Cross-functional Leadership: Strong ability to lead, influence, and drive alignment across diverse teams including Product, Engineering, Marketing, Sales, and Legal.

• Data Analysis & Insights: Proficiency in using data, analytics, and customer feedback to inform decision-making and measure program success.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing skills, with the ability to manage expectations and build consensus at all levels, including senior leadership.

• Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business models, revenue drivers, customer retention strategies, and market positioning within the technology or education sectors.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within the EdTech industry, specifically with K-12 assessment platforms like MAP Growth.

• Familiarity with SaaS product development and go-to-market strategies.

• Experience in developing and managing partner programs, including onboarding, enablement, and governance.

• Knowledge of contract development and legal frameworks related to technology partnerships.

• Experience with agile development methodologies and product management tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "8+ years" requirement, combined with the responsibilities, suggests this is a senior-level individual contributor role with significant strategic influence. The emphasis on "platform products, APIs, or integration-based offerings" points towards a need for technical product understanding, not just business partnership skills.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy & Roadmap Examples: Showcase examples of product strategies developed, roadmaps created, and how these translated into tangible product features or program growth. Highlight the process for prioritizing initiatives based on market needs and business objectives.

• Partnership Case Studies: Present documented examples of successful strategic partnerships managed, including the process for partner identification, negotiation, integration execution, and ongoing relationship management. Quantify the impact of these partnerships on adoption, revenue, or customer retention.

• API/Integration Project Experience: If applicable, provide details on projects involving API development or complex system integrations. Describe the technical challenges, the approach taken, and the resulting business or user value.

• Metrics & ROI Demonstration: Include examples of how key performance indicators (KPIs) were defined, tracked, and reported for product initiatives or partnership programs, with a clear demonstration of ROI or business impact.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Process: Demonstrate a structured approach to defining product and partnership strategies, including market analysis, competitive assessment, and alignment with organizational goals.

• Partnership Lifecycle Management: Outline a clear process for managing the entire partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach and due diligence to contract negotiation, integration, co-marketing, and performance review.

• Product Development Workflow: Detail experience with product development workflows, from ideation and requirement gathering through to development, launch, and iteration, particularly for platform or integration-focused products.

• Cross-functional Alignment Process: Illustrate methods used to ensure alignment and effective collaboration between product, engineering, sales, marketing, and legal teams on strategy execution and program delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role combining product and partnerships, a portfolio should demonstrate both strategic product thinking and the ability to execute complex business development initiatives. A strong emphasis on quantifiable results and process documentation will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $140,000 - $160,000 annually.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement savings plan (e.g., 401(k)) with company match.

• Generous paid time off (PTO), including vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional development opportunities, including training, conferences, and tuition reimbursement.

• Life insurance and disability coverage.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours (typically 40 hours per week).

• Flexibility may be available, but core working hours for collaboration with internal teams and external partners across different time zones are expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Director-level role in product management and strategic partnerships, especially in a remote capacity within the US. The benefits package is typical for a large organization like HMH, offering standard comprehensive coverage.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology (EdTech), specifically K-12 assessment and learning solutions.

Company Size: HMH is a large organization, with NWEA being a significant division. This suggests a company with established processes, resources, and a broad market reach.

Founded: HMH was founded in 1848, and NWEA was founded in 1977. This history indicates stability, deep expertise in the education sector, and a long-term commitment to its mission.

Team Structure:

• The role reports to an SVP of Product within NWEA, indicating a senior position within the product organization.

• Close collaboration is expected with Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales teams, highlighting a matrixed and cross-functional operating environment.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: NWEA emphasizes evidence-based solutions and research, suggesting a culture that values data analysis and informed decision-making in product and strategy.

• Customer-Centric Approach: The focus on "illuminating learning needs," "fueling student growth," and "strengthening customer retention" points to a strong customer-centric ethos.

• Open Ecosystem Strategy: The explicit mention of an "open ecosystem strategy" and "high-value integrations" indicates a forward-thinking approach to product development that embraces collaboration and interoperability.

Company Website: www.hmhco.com and NWEA.org

📝 Enhancement Note: HMH's long history and NWEA's specific mission in education technology provide a strong foundation. The role's emphasis on collaboration and data-driven strategy aligns with these organizational characteristics.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, signifying a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility and autonomy. It requires seasoned professionals with a proven track record in both product management and partnership development.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to an SVP of Product, placing it high within the product organization and providing visibility to senior leadership. This structure allows for direct influence on strategic direction.

Operations Impact: The ICP program is positioned as a "key lever for strengthening customer retention" and driving "measurable impact on adoption and retention." This role has a direct impact on the stickiness of NWEA's core product (MAP Growth) and its ability to grow within its customer base. Success here directly influences revenue, market share, and customer satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Broader Platform Initiatives: The role explicitly states it "may expand to support additional platform initiatives as the ICP model grows," offering potential for increased scope and responsibility within HMH's broader product portfolio.

• Leadership Development: As a Director-level role, it provides opportunities to hone leadership skills, manage cross-functional teams, and influence strategic decisions at a high level.

• Industry Specialization: Deepening expertise in EdTech, SaaS platform strategies, and strategic partnership management within a mission-driven organization.

• Advancement: Potential pathways to Vice President or Senior Director roles within product management or business development at HMH or NWEA.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for an experienced professional to shape a critical program within a large, established EdTech company. The growth potential is tied to expanding the ICP program and potentially taking on broader strategic initiatives.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Fully Remote, allowing employees to work from any state within the US. This offers significant flexibility and autonomy.

Office Location(s): While the role is remote, NWEA has headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and HMH has corporate offices in Boston, Massachusetts, among other locations. The remote nature means no specific office location is required, but collaboration might involve teams distributed across various HMH/NWEA offices.

Workspace Context:

• Collaboration Tools: Expect extensive use of video conferencing, project management software, and collaboration platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) to facilitate communication and teamwork across a distributed workforce.

• Autonomous Work: The remote setup necessitates a high degree of self-discipline, time management, and proactive communication to maintain productivity and alignment.

• Cross-functional Interaction: Frequent interaction with product managers, engineers, marketing specialists, sales representatives, and external partners, requiring strong virtual communication and relationship-building skills.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time hours are expected, typically 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility in daily start/end times may be available, but candidates must be prepared to accommodate meetings and collaboration across different US time zones, as NWEA serves educators nationwide.

📝 Enhancement Note: The fully remote nature of this role is a significant feature, requiring candidates to be comfortable with independent work, strong digital communication, and managing cross-time zone collaborations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications and conduct an initial screening call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience with product management, strategic partnerships, and leadership capabilities. Expect questions about your approach to strategy, roadmap development, and partner management.

• Cross-functional Panel Interview: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Sales. This assesses your ability to collaborate, influence, and align diverse teams.

• Case Study/Presentation: You may be asked to prepare and present a case study or strategic proposal related to product strategy, partnership development, or ecosystem growth. This is a critical opportunity to showcase your thought process and impact.

• SVP Interview: A final interview with the SVP of Product to discuss overall strategic vision, leadership potential, and alignment with NWEA's mission.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For every project or partnership highlighted, clearly articulate the measurable business impact (e.g., revenue increase, adoption growth, retention improvement, cost savings).

• Showcase Process: Detail the methodologies and processes you used for strategy development, roadmap planning, partnership negotiation, and cross-functional alignment.

• Highlight Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to analyze market trends, identify opportunities, and translate them into actionable product and partnership strategies.

• Focus on Collaboration: Provide examples of how you successfully collaborated with diverse internal teams and external partners to achieve common goals.

• Tailor to ICP: Emphasize experience with platform products, APIs, integrations, and partnership ecosystems, drawing parallels to the ICP program's objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach defining the next phase of the ICP program, including identifying key opportunities and challenges.

• Partnership Evaluation: Prepare to outline criteria for evaluating and selecting strategic partners for an EdTech integration ecosystem.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Practice articulating how you would gain buy-in and drive alignment from engineering and sales teams for new product features or partnership initiatives.

• Metrics & Reporting: Be ready to discuss how you would define and track success metrics for a program focused on product integrations and partnerships.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio showcasing both strategic product management and partnership execution, with a clear emphasis on quantifiable results and cross-functional collaboration, will be essential for this role. The interview process will likely involve assessing strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to execute in a complex environment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for roadmap planning, backlog management, and documentation.

• CRM Systems: Salesforce or similar for managing partner relationships, sales pipelines, and customer data.

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook) or Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and project coordination.

• API Management Platforms: Potentially tools like Apigee, MuleSoft, or Postman for understanding and managing API development and integration strategies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance reporting on adoption, retention, and partnership impact.

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics or similar for tracking website traffic and engagement related to partner programs or product pages.

• Internal Reporting Dashboards: Custom-built or integrated systems for tracking key ICP program metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Integration Platforms: Familiarity with iPaaS solutions (e.g., Zapier, Workato, Dell Boomi) may be beneficial for understanding integration capabilities.

• Marketing Automation: Tools like HubSpot or Marketo, for potential co-marketing efforts with partners.

• Document Management: Cloud-based solutions for managing contracts and partnership agreements.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's nature implies proficiency with standard product management, CRM, collaboration, and data analytics tools. Experience with API management and integration platforms would be highly advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Mission-Driven: A strong commitment to improving learning outcomes for students, aligning with NWEA's mission to support educators.

• Data-Informed: Emphasis on using research and data to drive product decisions, strategy, and measure impact.

• Collaborative: A culture that values teamwork, cross-functional alignment, and shared success across departments.

• Innovative: A forward-thinking approach to product development, embracing open ecosystems and strategic partnerships to enhance educational solutions.

• Customer-Focused: Dedication to understanding and meeting the needs of educators and students through responsive and valuable solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where close working relationships with product, engineering, marketing, and sales are essential for success.

• Partner-Centric: A proactive and relationship-focused approach to managing external partnerships, aiming for mutual benefit and long-term success.

• Open Communication: Emphasis on clear, transparent, and frequent communication, particularly in a remote setting, to ensure alignment and address challenges effectively.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Discussions and decision-making are likely to be grounded in data and evidence, fostering a culture of objective analysis and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values highlight a blend of educational mission, data-driven operations, and collaborative innovation, which are critical for success in the EdTech sector.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Product & Partnerships: Effectively managing the dual responsibilities of product roadmap ownership and strategic partnership development requires strong prioritization and resource allocation skills.

• Complex Ecosystem Management: Navigating and growing a diverse partner ecosystem with varying technical capabilities and business objectives can be challenging.

• Driving Adoption & Integration: Ensuring that partner integrations are not only developed but also widely adopted and effectively utilized by customers requires a concerted go-to-market and enablement strategy.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong team cohesion, clear communication, and effective collaboration across a distributed workforce requires deliberate effort and effective use of communication tools.

• Measuring Impact: Quantifying the direct impact of integrations and partnerships on customer retention and new business can be complex and require sophisticated data analysis.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop advanced skills in strategic planning, business development, and executive-level stakeholder management.

• EdTech Market Expertise: Deepen understanding of the K-12 education technology landscape, including assessment, learning platforms, and integration trends.

• Platform Strategy: Gain hands-on experience in developing and scaling platform products and API strategies within a large organization.

• Partnership Portfolio Management: Hone skills in portfolio management, identifying strategic investment areas, and optimizing partner relationships for maximum business value.

• Industry Engagement: Potential opportunities to represent NWEA/HMH at industry conferences and engage with the broader EdTech community.

📝 Enhancement Note: Addressing these challenges proactively, leveraging the growth opportunities, and demonstrating a continuous learning mindset will be key to excelling in this role.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining a product strategy for a platform/ecosystem initiative like ICP. What data and inputs would you prioritize?"

• "How would you evaluate potential strategic partners for integration into an educational technology platform? What are your key criteria?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to influence cross-functional teams (e.g., Engineering, Sales) to prioritize a specific product feature or partnership initiative. What was the outcome?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about NWEA's mission and HMH's broader commitment to education technology?"

• "Describe your experience working in a remote environment and how you ensure effective collaboration and productivity."

• "How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with external partners, especially when dealing with complex agreements or technical integrations?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key achievements, focusing on product strategy development, partnership management, and measurable business impact.

• Case Studies: For each major project or partnership, use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method or a similar framework to clearly articulate the context, your role, the actions taken, and the quantifiable results.

• Visuals: Incorporate diagrams, charts, or dashboards to illustrate product roadmaps, integration flows, or performance metrics.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present key highlights efficiently, allowing time for detailed discussion and Q&A. Focus on the strategic thinking and execution behind your work.

• Relevance: Tailor your presentation to highlight experiences most relevant to platform products, APIs, integrations, and strategic partnerships in the EdTech space.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to articulate your strategic thinking, demonstrate your ability to execute complex initiatives, and quantify your impact. Highlighting experience in both product management and business development, especially within technology or education sectors, will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the HMH careers portal via the provided link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight 8+ years of experience in product management and strategic partnerships, emphasizing achievements in platform products, API development, integration strategy, and partner management. Use keywords from the job description.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that showcases your strategic planning, roadmap development, partnership case studies, and quantifiable results. Prepare to discuss your process and impact during interviews.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research NWEA and HMH, understanding their mission, products (especially MAP Growth), and their commitment to education technology and innovation.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to answer strategic, behavioral, and situational questions related to product management, partnership development, cross-functional leadership, and operating in a remote environment. Practice presenting your portfolio.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.