Product Manager

Product Manager | SaaS | PaaS

Key Information:

• Location: Maple Cross, Rickmansworth, UK
• Workplace type: Hybrid
• Experience level: 3-4+ years in SaaS (Software as a Service) or PaaS (Platform as a Service) companies
• Experience in: Building, managing, and sustaining product organizations for Internet-scale, enterprise-grade platform service
• Believes in: Developing technology solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Other skills we consider: (3As) Adaptability, Accountability and Attention to detail

About Freespace (afreespace.com):

We’re a workplace technology company helping organizations to achieve three key outcomes:

• Right size, right design: Enabling informed decisions using real-time data to achieve portfolio optimization and the right workplace design

• Smart building automations: Streamlining processes by simplifying complex seating requirements and through occupancy-driven control and automation

• Exceptional employee experiences: Maximizing the benefits of the office by providing employees with the tools to find and reserve spaces, connect with each other and enjoy optimal working conditions

To achieve these outcomes, we provide an integrated platform that delivers actionable workplace intelligence, through a real-time analytics platform, workplace sensors, employee experience app, signage and space management solutions. We have recently been recognized with a nomination for the IFMA New York Awards of Excellence in the Sustainability category, underscoring their achievements in fostering adaptive, efficient, and sustainable work environments.

About Role:

We are seeking a visionary Product Manager to lead our Workplace Automation Product operations. The ideal candidate will be responsible for overseeing the entire product lifecycle, from conceptualization to launch and from deployment to its roadmap. Reporting to the Head of Workplace Automation, they will drive innovation, strategy, and execution to ensure that our products meet the needs of our customers, align with our company's goals, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. Reporting to the head of Workplace Automation, and a Product Owner reporting in to them, they will work closely with engineering, design, marketing, and sales, to deliver the product development plan.

The Workplace Automation product line is responsible for building solutions to enable our clients to manage the office spaces they own and occupy. This includes software (web) and hardware (signage), from space planning and reservation tools to digital signage for our clients’ end users who occupy the office space. The software solutions were created in 2020 and have evolved into a multi-function and globally scaled solution that is also highly integrated into Freespace’s other offerings such as sensors, tags and employee experience app. There is a significant existing user base which presents a massive opportunity to satisfy significant unmet needs of our users. As return-to-office mandates get replaced with a new reality of equilibrium in-office use, the Freespace product range presents a robust platform to enable our clients to support their users to find help in the office, plan their calendars, collaborate with colleagues and use the office better. Freespace is in a unique position to offer a seamless automated experience to ensure stickiness and satisfaction. This role will lead the end-to-end effort of this department to achieve desired outcomes.

Responsibilities:

• Product Strategy: Develop and articulate a clear product vision and strategy aligned with the company's goals. Execute a comprehensive product strategy aligned with the company's vision, and market demands. Define the product roadmap, including prioritization of features based on market trends, timelines, user feedback, business objectives and resource allocation.  
• Team Guidance: Guide, mentor, and inspire a team of product owners, designers, and developers. Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence within the product team.
• Market Research & Analysis: Conduct thorough market research, analyse consumer needs and behaviours, and identify market trends and opportunities. Utilize data-driven insights to make informed decisions.
• Strategic Conceptualization and Road mapping: Lead the conceptualization, wireframing, and prototyping efforts while defining comprehensive web and Digital Signage strategies. Develop and execute roadmaps into sprints and releases.
• Product Development Planning: Oversee and conduct the end-to-end product development process, from ideation and design and user story creation to implementation and launch (including documentation and release comms). Collaborate with cross-functional teams (engineering, marketing, sales, etc.) to ensure seamless product delivery.
• Product Performance: Monitor and evaluate product performance metrics, including sales, user engagement, and customer feedback. Use these insights to iterate and improve existing products and drive new innovations. Meet KPIs including timely product releases, defect leakage, usage adoption, customer satisfaction scores & documentation completeness.
• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with marketing, sales, and other departments to ensure product messaging, positioning, and go-to-market strategies are aligned. Facilitate communication between teams for successful product launches and ongoing improvements.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate product strategies, updates, and roadmaps effectively to internal stakeholders, executives, and external partners.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure that products meet industry standards, regulatory requirements, and quality benchmarks. Uphold high standards of quality and compliance across all products.
• Market Analysis: Conduct thorough market research and analysis to understand customer segments, their willingness to pay, and their perception of product value. Use this data to inform pricing decisions.
• Monetization Opportunities: Identify and capitalize on opportunities to drive revenue growth, such as upselling, cross-selling, or introducing new monetization streams aligned with the product.
• Subscription and Licensing Strategies: Design subscription or licensing models for products and services, ensuring they align with customer needs and provide scalable revenue streams. Agree on pricing for features and volumes and maintain price sheet.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 3-4+ years of product management and software / IT engineering industry experience
• 3-4+ years of experience working in SaaS (software as a service) or PaaS (platform as a service). Workplace solutions experience would be advantageous
• Prior experience in building, managing and sustaining product organizations for Internet-scale, enterprise-grade platform services
• Experience communicating with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels across the business
• Experience with interacting with clients
• People/team management experience
• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering or a related discipline
• Proven record of building, managing and sustaining product organizations
• Must have the ability to influence people at the business unit level
• Must have the ability to understand the technical and non-technical aspects of product development
• Experience in developing technology solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and navigate organizational complexities to obtain support/resources needed to move initiatives forward with minimal supervision
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What are we Looking For:

• Visionary
• Ability to handle ambiguity and change
• Very strong logical thinking capabilities and analytical skills
• Visualize and conceptualize new ideas and solutions
• UI designing & prototyping (use of wireframing tools)
• Research and analysis (both primary and secondary research)
• Customer management and excellent communication & presentation skills
• Art of negotiation and prioritization
• Ability to manage teams and build close relationships with different team members

Freespace Global Perks

• Paid annual leave and public holidays to support your work-life balance
• Paid sick leave if you should fall ill
• Family Mediclaim Cover & Accidental Benefit Plan
• Company-sponsored meals in the office
• Access to funded training (internal/external) to support your career development
• Chance to refer friends and earn money through our generous Employee Referral Program
• Global Employee Award program giving us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate success
• Chance to get involved in shaping our culture by joining one of our Employee Resource Groups
• A creative and engaging company culture right across the business

If you find yourself a suitable fit for the role, you can apply directly through LinkedIn or share your CV at hrindia@afreespace.com