Sphera is a leading global provider of enterprise software and services that enables companies to manage and optimize their environmental, health, safety and sustainability. Our mission is to create a safer, more sustainable and productive world.
Sphera is a portfolio company of Blackstone, a U.S.-based alternative asset investment company that focuses on private equity, technology and innovation, and more. Blackstone businesses succeed through strong partnerships, a personalized approach and a commitment to exceptional performance with uncompromising integrity. Sphera and Blackstone are leaders in the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) space.
We are guided by our core values of Customer Centricity, Accountability, Bias to Action, Innovation, and Collaboration. These values help us recruit the right talent to join our rapidly expanding team around the globe. It is important to us that each and every Spherion is not only eager to challenge themselves and knows how to get work done but is an awesome addition to our company culture.
About the Role:
As the Product Manager, Platform, you will lead the strategy and direction of the SpheraCloud platform product. You will guide product priorities and enhancements from the idea stage to full production and help to develop new ideas based on your industry experience and feedback from our partners and customers. You will collaborate with other solution areas to develop and deliver key functionality to our existing SpheraCloud product, further enabling a modular set of cloud-based solutions.
The selected individual will partner closely with the customers (internal and external), the business lines and Agile teams to drive the evolution of the assigned products. The Product Manager is responsible for defining a product vision with a prioritized product backlog to deliver on business vision and priorities. The PM provides constant feedback to the business lines and Agile teams in support of delivery and evolution of the product. The PM must develop a well-rounded understanding of the customer’s needs that are aligned with business objectives as well as an ability to develop close relationships with key stakeholders.
You will shape the software development roadmap for the product and communicate it to internal and external stakeholders. You are also the key member of the team responsible for both defining and prioritizing the release backlog in close collaboration with engineering counterparts and product owners/managers. You will work closely with the development and engineering team to define architecture, user experience, and product capabilities. You are responsible for the overall quality delivery of the solution to our customers. Using your skills, talents, efforts, and influence, you will deliver positive business outcomes for both our customers and Sphera.
Market Focus Responsibilities:
Assist in the research of market requirements and forecasts for new portfolio opportunities and platform advancement strategies
Document and maintain key competitor profiles
Work with branding and marketing teams to help them understand market positioning
Work with sales and marketing teams to document the buying process and identify sales enablement tools, including partner channels
Assists in the creation of the training and tools necessary to ensure the Sales, Services, and Customer Care are educated on the feature/functionality of products
Provide product and domain content focused on the market
Platform Product Focus Responsibilities:
Maintain product success metrics for the Platform
Develop and maintain a roadmap for the Platform including: Developing a list of initiatives and epics; Balancing priorities between maintenance requirements, architecture, and new features, and maximizing the value of each release; Recommending market-specific enhancements for all portfolio products
Defining the planned date and content for a product release to customers
Actively work directly with the development team
Serve as the customer representative in all team meetings
Partner with product portfolio and develop personas and related product capabilities
Participate in release and product retrospectives with engineering, UX teams
Drive discussions to surface issues, identify fixes and advance projects
Participate in product planning and forecasts with the product management team
Maintain and report product status such as burn up/burn down and velocity charts
Participate in sprint retrospectives with the Agile team
Maintain a release backlog and focus on product deliverables
People Focus Responsibilities:
Influence and partner with stakeholders to create a shared platform vision and optimal product outcomes
Lead cross-functional teams for key company initiatives
Contribute to Go-To-Market teams
Required Education:
BS Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Computer Science, and/or Business/Marketing
Requirements:
5+ years of experience with software platform design concepts and components
5+ years of Product Management experience is desirable.
3+ years of people management experience
Experience managing enterprise software applications and/or large-scale product initiatives, in particular SaaS applications.
Strong understanding of Agile Product Management and Software Development methodologies
Proven ability to communicate with customers, stakeholders, salespeople, and executives.
Knowledgeable in modern technology and architectural patterns
Knowledgeable in product development in Cloud environment
Knowledgeable in products based on services and APIs’
Strong conceptual and analytical skills to form the basis of well-researched and documented plans
Proven record as a self-motivated, performance-driven professional
Demonstrates sound business judgement, common sense and insight
Behaves consistently with Sphera values and ethical principles
Pay:
$127,000.00 - $203,000.00 + Eligible for Variable Compensation PlanCommensurate with relevant qualifications and experience
Benefits:
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Health Savings Account
Flexible Spending Account
401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match
Life and Disability Insurance
Critical Illness Insurance
Accident Insurance
Hospital Indemnity Insurance
Paid Time Off and Holidays
Flexible Working Schedule
Sphera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all colleagues. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability during the application or recruiting process, please email us at [email protected] to make your request. To help us best respond, please include your name and the position you are applying for in your message.
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the job and the general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Sphera Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
We are located in Twp Prudential Plaza surrounded by Millennium Park with a great view of the lake. Your choice of restaurants and bars is limitless.
Similar Jobs
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
