Director - Product Development

Classification: Administrative/Professional

Exemption Status/Test: Exempt/Computer

Job Grade: 8

Department: Information Technology

Reports To: Department Director

Job Goal:

Lead the commercialization, development, and growth of DevelopWorks, Region 4's proprietary professional development platform and other technology products that generate revenue for the ESC. This role guides product strategy, oversees engineering coordination, and ensures positive customer outcomes in support of Region 4's mission and its expanding national presence.

Qualifications:

Education

Bachelor's degree, preferably in a computer-related field or commensurate computer-related experience.

Experience

• Ten years of experience as a technology professional
• Five years of people management experience
• Experience designing, developing, and delivering software products through the full lifecycle - from concept through commercial deployment and support
• Experience in analysis, implementation, and evaluation of IT systems and SaaS platforms

Special Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of current product development technology, application development practices, and services that support the education environment
• Exemplary written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to explain technical problems and offer solutions to those without the technological training
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate and build relationships with customers
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Proven experience in strategic planning and execution, combined with strong organizational skills and business acumen
• Familiarity with project management tools such as Monday.com, Jira, or similar platforms

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead, supervise, and coordinate all activities of the Product Development team, including direct reports in software engineering, customer success, solution architecture, Data and product analysis
• Direct the development, implementation, and commercialization of products and systems supported by Region 4, including:
• DevelopWorks - Region 4's proprietary professional development platform
• escWorks - through end-of-development (September 2026) and end-of-life (September 2027)
• Future products and features identified through market research and customer engagement
• Develop strategic business direction for the Product Development department, including:
• Maintain and evolve the DevelopWorks product roadmap aligned to commercialization goals and customer needs
• Design go-to-market plans, including pricing strategy, sales enablement materials, and competitive positioning
• Identify strategic business partners, ESC networks, and distribution channels to expand the platform's reach
• Determine new products or features for current systems to develop and bring to market
• Develop business plans for the department and new partnerships
• Cultivate and maintain customer relationships across the active pipeline and existing client base
• Coordinate communications between Region 4 and all customers:
• Supervise collaborative efforts between the Product Development team and other Region 4 departments
• Oversee product environment architecture, system monitoring, upgrades, and releases in coordination with the Data Center & Network Solutions department.
• Partner with the Directors of Marketing and Communications on product launches, campaign messaging, customer announcements, and brand positioning
• Partner with Texas Education Exchange (TEE) by coordinating Region 4's participation in statewide technology initiatives, ensuring alignment between DevelopWorks and TEE, and serving as a point of contact for product and platform interoperability requirements
• Assist the Chief Officer, Technology Strategy & Innovation, in evaluating the effectiveness of communications between the Product Development team and customers
• Lead or co-lead product demonstrations, prospect engagements, and sales presentations; work directly with customers throughout the implementation process
• Advise all team members on recommended solutions based on product knowledge and experience.
• Evaluate current technology use and recommend technical product solutions incorporating the latest technology, including cloud platforms and Agile product development processes.
• Consult with department directors and external customers on technical solutions to reduce administrative paper workflow
• Present sales initiatives and product demonstrations, and work directly with customers throughout the implementation process
• Lead interoperability efforts between DevelopWorks and the Texas Education Exchange, including data standards alignment, API integration planning, and coordination with TEE and partner organizations to ensure seamless data exchange.
• Oversee data engineering functions in support of the department and the broader organization, including the design and maintenance of data pipelines, integration workflows, and data infrastructure that enable reliable reporting and analytics
• Partner with business stakeholders across Region 4 to deliver analytics and business intelligence capabilities, including dashboards, performance metrics, and data-driven insights that support decision-making for DevelopWorks and other technology products
• Ensure compliance with statewide initiatives by coordinating programs and initiatives to support departments in working with the Texas Education Agency.
• Maintain documentation of department activities to meet all internal programmatic and fiscal requirements and all requirements imposed by the Texas Education Agency.
• Communicate with customers to ensure that they receive current information on supported programs and services
• Prepare and recommend department budgets for review and approval by the Chief Officer, Technology Strategy & Innovation
• Provide technical assistance and services as specified by any applicable federal grant that funds this position.
• Remain current on advances in technology

Supervision/Personnel Management

• In coordination with the department director, establish clear expectations, set goals, and provide regular feedback to promote accountability and performance improvement.
• In coordination with the department director, manage team workloads and project timelines to ensure priorities are met and deliverables are completed with high quality.
• Supervise and support assigned staff, including onboarding, training, and performance management.
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performing workplace.
• Ensure compliance with Region 4 policies, procedures, and applicable state and federal guidelines.

Physical Demands/Environmental Factors/ Mental Demands:

Frequent use of standard office equipment; prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting; repetitive hand motions (keyboarding and use of mouse); occasional lifting and carrying (up to 15 pounds); may work prolonged and irregular hours; work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under pressure.