Product Manager, FirstSearch

Together we make breakthroughs possible.   At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world.   Why join OCLC?   OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being. We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs.  Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room  Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC  Health and wellness events  Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools  Paid parental leave and adoption assistance  Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility  Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships  Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact.  The job details are as follows: The Product Manager, FirstSearch leads the development and delivery of AI-enabled discovery experiences, owning end-to-end researcher workflows within Discovery and Delivery Services. This role focuses on creating intuitive, high-quality search experiences that leverage natural language understanding, semantic search, and connected knowledge to help researchers easily express intent, explore relationships, and move seamlessly from discovery to access. Partnering closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, the Product Manager translates researcher needs and market trends into product strategy, roadmaps, and innovative solutions aligned with evolving, AI-driven user expectations. This role drives execution of complex initiatives, ensures alignment with organizational strategy, and delivers value to member libraries through strong product leadership, user insight, and continuous collaboration. Responsibilities   Product Strategy and Planning   Oversees market analysis and develops   the   product strategy and business case s   for   First S earch   and new researcher offerings   Defines strategic product goals   for FirstSearch   aligned to the researcher   Defines discovery features to   improve   a researcher’s open, exploratory   workflow   Contributes to   product roadmap s   Collaborates on release plans with   software d evelopment   team   Collaborate with   Discovery Product team   to ensure semantic features integrate with   existing   search results and next gen   discovery    Collaborates with finance in the production of product budgets and forecasts   Develops pricing strategies and product positioning plans which contribute to maximizing product profitability   Leadership and Management   Provides leadership to cross-functional product workgroups. Leads Product management meetings. Resolves conflicts and drives consensus.   Facilitates collaboration and communication and secures commitment between Development and Product Management and other divisional workgroups towards achievement of common goals.   Develops and monitors progress on product roadmap   Product Marketing Oversight and Consultation   Assists   in the development of strategies for customer acquisition and retention;   manages   relationships with user groups .   Collaborates with   the marketing and   sales team in   the generation   of   compelling   marketing and awareness plans /presentations .   Understands how and when to commission market research   to   develop and   maintain   expertise   in markets served, alternative services,   new technology , and related standards.   Can generate   appropriate information   for market sizes by sector / territory and can generate market penetration statistics.   Provides training and support to the sales and support   team;   may   assist   in significant sales calls.   Anal yzes   reasons for OCLC product wins and losses against competition and can provide meaningful information to aid product planning.   Will work to define and rationalize user personas   Will produce market/sector white papers   Consultation on Portfolio Planning   Provides input into portfolio business plans, roadmaps, strategies, metrics, and progress reports and reviews   Qualifications   Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience   2 to 4   years of experience in product   management,   user experience, or customer experience of digital products ,   or equivalent experience    Demonstrated  ability to deliver natural language,   and semantic discovery solutions;   able to partner effectively with search engineering teams    Demonstrated knowledge and use of AI in day-to-day workflows and use   of AI/linked data to create engaging   next generation   discovery solutions     Well-developed communication and presentat