Group PM / Director of Product, Engagement

About Us 

Academia.edu is the world’s leading platform for researchers and scholars to share their work, discover research and connect with fellow academics globally. Our bold vision: to democratize and accelerate the world's research, enhancing the speed of scientific discovery and technological progress for the benefit of everyone. We imagine a world where accessing academic papers is effortless, keeping track of cutting-edge research is seamless and collaborating with researchers is easier than ever before. Our platform empowers hundreds of millions of scholars worldwide to push the boundaries of human understanding. We believe in the power of knowledge to change lives and the world, and our commitment to this mission drives everything we do.

Join us as we continue to redefine what's possible in the world of research. Discover careers that challenge, inspire and propel you toward a future where your ideas can truly change the world. At Academia.edu, we're not just shaping the future of research—we're shaping the future of possibilities.

Please note that this role is in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

We're excited to have a packed and lively office on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Twice a week those of us in the Bay Area come to our office located in the Financial District for All Hands, intense collaboration, brainstorming activities, and fun events. There are small rooms for 1-1 mentoring sessions or heads down work, and larger rooms for team activities. We continue to support a flexible work environment for all of life’s surprises and needs with generous time off and flexible daily work schedules.

The Role

We are seeking a high-performing Product Leader to lead our Engagement Products group. We believe there is a major opportunity to provide Researchers with a best-in-class social experience to keep up-to-date in their fields; maintain relationships with their colleagues, discover great research, and collaborate with peers to accelerate their work. In this role you will drive up the number of academics engaging in our free social products on the site on a recurring basis. This includes developing the key surfaces and functions of our site, including the home page and onboarding experiences, people recommendations, and new social modalities like groups or events. You will be responsible for 3 product teams to start, both with PMs in seats and the need to develop (and hire) the area further.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the strategy for the Academia.edu social platform and drive alignment with key exec stakeholders
• Drive adoption and growth of the Academia.edu social experience
• Hire and support a high-performing product team; with a track record of empowering reports
• IC a product team in the early stages of your time with us, in order to show execution excellence and model performance to your reports
• Advocate for and up-skill product as a function in your area, and across the company

Requirements

• 7-12 years of product experience, with a focus on social (or community) B2C products
• Previous experience in one of engagement growth, media/messaging/community products, or onboarding/activation of B2C users
• Previous experience hiring and leveling-up PMs
• Strong IC product skills; you know how to “lead from the front” and teach best practices
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and oral
• Demonstrated ability to make a significant business impact, autonomously
• Customer-centric approach with a knack for data-driven validation
• Experience working with cross-functional teams (ENG, UXR, Data, Design) and leaders
• Startup experience is essential; bonus for a history of successful product pivots
• Technical understanding and ability to engage in high-level technical discussions
• Extensive experience with A/B testing and user research (both qualitative and quantitative)
• Proven expertise in launching and scaling products to millions of users

Nice To Haves

• Experience in Edtech or academia
• A stint in growth-stage tech companies during a ‘high-growth’ period
• A stint in social media tech companies (ex: Meta, Youtube, Reddit, Linkedin) Experience in launching products from inception to market (0->1)

We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.

Benefits

Comprehensive Healthcare Coverage: 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents

Generous Time Off: 21 paid vacation days, 12 paid company holidays, and unlimited sick days; paid parental leave and other leaves for life’s needs; 6-week paid sabbatical every 4 years

Flexible Work Arrangements: Flexible daily schedules within a hybrid work environment, annual remote-office budget, and monthly WFH internet stipend

Competitive Compensation: Competitive salary, 401k plan, and stock options

Mission-Driven Company: Join a mission-driven company to accelerate and democratize the world’s research

Learn more on our Careers Page!

Academia is a proud equal-opportunity employer and we are committed to hiring and supporting a diverse workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.