Contract Product Manager - job 1 of 2

As a Contract Product Manager at Upwork, your key responsibilities include defining the product vision and strategy for the Evo project, collaborating cross-functionally with teams like engineering, marketing, and sales, and managing the product lifecycle from concept through to launch. You'll also conduct market research and competitive analysis to guide your decisions, develop project timelines, and ensure milestones are met while incorporating feedback to continuously improve product functionality.

To be a successful candidate for the Contract Product Manager position at Upwork, you should have experience in product management, preferably within the SaaS, tech, or hospitality industries. Strong communication and leadership skills, an ability to balance technical feasibility with business objectives, and familiarity with Agile processes are also essential. Additionally, you should possess an analytical mindset to leverage data and market research in your decision-making.

The Contract Product Manager role at Upwork is expected to last through December 31, 2025. This duration provides a significant opportunity to engage deeply with the project and make a lasting impact on the product throughout its lifecycle.

Yes, the Contract Product Manager role at Upwork allows for a hybrid work setup. While you are required to be in the office in Newton, MA at least two days a week for collaborative meetings, the remaining days can be worked remotely, providing flexibility in your work environment.

In this role at Upwork, the Contract Product Manager will focus on the development and execution of site-building applications aligned with the strategic Next Gen Evo methodology. This includes collaborating with various stakeholders and ensuring that the product meets both user needs and business objectives through effective project management and cross-functional collaboration.

Defining a product vision starts with understanding the overall business goals and aligning them with user needs. At Upwork, I would engage with stakeholders to gather insights, conduct thorough market research, and ensure that our vision is both aspirational and attainable. This would involve developing a clear roadmap and setting key milestones to track our progress.

Effective cross-functional collaboration hinges on clear communication and shared goals. I would establish regular touchpoints with teams like engineering, sales, and marketing to align priorities and gather feedback. Utilizing collaborative tools and creating open channels for dialogue can also foster a streamlined workflow and enhance coordination across departments.

I thrive in fast-paced environments and often rely on strong organizational skills, prioritization, and timely communication to manage multiple projects. I use project management tools to track progress, identify bottlenecks, and adapt to changes quickly. My experience in Agile methodologies also helps me respond to evolving needs without losing sight of our objectives.

Gathering customer feedback involves a mixture of direct outreach, surveys, and analyzing user interactions with the product. I prioritize collecting actionable insights and often collaborate with customer success teams to ensure we're addressing user pain points. Incorporating this feedback into the product development cycle enables continuous improvement and better user experiences.

Balancing technical feasibility with business objectives requires a collaborative approach with the engineering team. By discussing potential constraints and technical capabilities early in the process, I can adjust our product strategy to align with what’s possible within the given timeframe and resources, while still pushing to meet overall business goals.

Determining KPIs involves aligning them with the product's goals and objectives. I typically start by considering what success looks like for the product. By collaborating with stakeholders and leveraging historical data, I can define clear, measurable KPIs that reflect user engagement and product adoption to track progress effectively.

For product launch and go-to-market execution, I create a comprehensive launch plan that includes defining target audiences, crafting messaging, and determining the channels we’ll use. Working closely with marketing and sales teams ensures that we have coordinated efforts in place to maximize visibility and engagement during the launch phase.

Handling project risks requires proactive identification and mitigation strategies. I start by mapping out potential risks at the project's inception and continuously assess them. Using regular check-ins and updates, I ensure that any issues are addressed promptly, allowing the project to remain on track and meet deadlines.

In previous roles, managing multiple priorities involved creating detailed action plans and using project management tools to keep everything organized. I prioritized tasks based on impact and deadlines, and maintained open communication with my team to adjust as needed. This flexibility and focus helped ensure that all projects received the attention they required.

Market research is crucial in the product management process as it informs decision-making and strategy development. It helps identify user needs, industry trends, and competitive landscapes. I use market insights to validate product opportunities and make informed decisions regarding features, positioning, and other key aspects of the product strategy.