Associate Product Manager

Penlink is a technology company bringing clarity to complex data for people who need it now. We partner with law enforcement agencies across the United States, offering a software solution to manage data and aid investigators solving crimes. It sounds like a lot of data and analytics, but really, it's about improving the world and keeping safe the places we call home.

We focus on creating products that positively impact our communities and being "in the mission" and less about the laidback culture and amazing benefits - even though we offer those too. With our get it done attitude and focused mission we are growing at an unprecedented rate and are therefore seeking a Associate Product Manager to join our Innovation team.

The Junior Product Manager supports the development and delivery of Penlink products by helping translate customer and business needs into clear requirements and actionable solutions. Working closely with Product Managers and cross-functional teams, this role conducts research and analysis, documents requirements, supports product discovery and prioritization, and helps ensure products deliver value to our customers. This is an early-career product role designed to develop the skills and experience needed to grow into broader product management responsibilities.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Product Managers in defining product requirements, priorities, and plans for assigned products and initiatives.
• Gather and analyze customer, business, and product information to identify needs, gaps, and opportunities.
• Translate business and customer needs into clear requirements, user stories, acceptance criteria, workflows, and other documentation.
• Partner with Software Engineering, UX, QA, Data Science, Sales, and other teams to clarify requirements and support product development.
• Conduct customer, market, and competitive research to support product decisions.
• Analyze product data, customer feedback, and other information to identify trends and inform recommendations.
• Support product discovery, feature prioritization, backlog refinement, roadmap planning, and release activities.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and help ensure requirements and priorities remain clear throughout development.
• Assist with testing and validation of new functionality to ensure solutions meet requirements and user needs.
• Support post-release feedback and analysis to identify opportunities for product improvements.
• Develop a working understanding of PenLink's products, customers, industry, and competitive landscape.
• Stay informed on emerging technologies, including AI and machine learning, and their potential applications.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

YOUR COMPETENCIES & EXPERIENCE

• 0-2 years of experience in product management, business analysis, technology, or a related field preferred.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to gather information, identify key insights, and translate findings into clear requirements and recommendations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to create clear, organized documentation.
• Ability to understand business processes, user workflows, and customer needs.
• Collaborative, curious, and comfortable working across multiple teams.
• Self-motivated with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable asking questions, challenging assumptions, and seeking solutions.
• Basic understanding of software development concepts, Agile methodologies, APIs, databases, or cloud technologies.
• Familiarity with product management or business analysis practices such as requirements gathering, user stories, process mapping, or backlog management.
• Comfort working with data, spreadsheets, reporting tools, or other analytical resources.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience working in an Agile software development environment is preferred.

This position currently follows a hybrid schedule requiring two days per week in our Lincoln, Nebraska office. Onsite requirements may be adjusted based on business needs and company or departmental policy.