Product Assistant

Product Assistant - Sociology and Anthropology
We believe in the power and joy of learning
At Cengage Group, our employees have a direct impact in helping students around the world discover the power and joy of learning. We are bonded by our shared purpose - driving innovation that helps millions of learners improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.
Our culture values diversity, engagement, and discovery
Our business is driven by our strong culture, and we know that creating an inclusive and diverse workplace is absolutely essential to the success of our company and our learners, as well as our individual well-being. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives in everything we do, and strive to ensure employees of all levels and backgrounds feel empowered to voice their ideas and bring their authentic selves to work. We achieve these priorities through inclusive programs, benefits, and initiatives that are integrated into the fabric of how we work every day. To learn more, please see https://www.cengagegroup.com/about/inclusion-and-diversity/.
Are you energized by the thought of involvement in every functional area of our organization by providing direct, day-to-day support to product teams within your subject area? In this role, you will provide a wide variety of services to Product Manager(s) to optimize the performance of the product management and development effort and, thereby, help achieve the group's business goals. In addition to supporting the Product Teams, you will apprentice on projects in several different areas, including: Product Development, Product Management, Market Seeding, and Project Management throughout your time in this position.
What you'll do:
Administrative tasks
- Provide general administrative support. The assistant will support the Product Team by performing basic administrative tasks, including handling the reviewing process, processing invoices, providing overall product and customer database maintenance, providing budget tracking information, and processing contract and reprint requests.
- Prepare documents needed for meetings across the assigned product teams including Strategy Meetings, Production Launches, and digital road mapping.
- Utilize and master internal systems including CRM to verify instructor information, product information, request materials, and find product users!
Market Analysis
- Collect and analyze internal and external sales data to be used by Product Managers in strategic decision-making.
- Maintain competitor information grids by market for key titles/features/assets.
- Help in the design, execution, and analysis of market research, market gap, and identify potential ideas for improvement
- Develop additional market understanding through phone interviews with faculty, occasional campus travel, and web-based or face-to-face student and faculty focus groups.
Marketing and Sales Support
- Provide sales and marketing team members with priority information upon request.
- Review product marketing pages for accuracy.
Product Development
- Conduct Research on instructor needs in advance of new editions and product updates.
- Participate in design sprints, providing insight and feedback on prospective designs for print and digital products.
- Provide cross-functional development support across all titles and ancillaries, to include:
- Scheduling and budgeting support
- Project organization tasks
- Permissions reviews
- Quality Learning Reviews
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion content reviews
- Sample Content Reviews
- Onboarding support for flexing functional stakeholders (i.e.: Content Managers, Digital Delivery Quality Assurance partners, Product Development Researchers, etc.)
- Support product management and content development competitive benchmarking documentation efforts.
Skills You Will Need Here:
- Bachelor's Degree
- Proficiency in computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, and databases
- Strong comfort level with new and emerging technologies
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data into impactful insights
- Creativity in seeking novel approaches to problems
- Strong orientation to detailed work and follow-through
- Excellent time management and organizational skills
- Ability to work successfully and efficiently with a dynamic, collaborative team.
- Ability to communicate professionally in all mediums without hesitation.
Preferred:
- Demonstrated desire to take initiative and follow a project through to conclusion autonomously
- Customer-facing or sales experience
- Experience with or interest in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work and social justice initiatives
- Excellent networking skills
*NOTE: This role will begin as a remote and transition to on-site (in the Boston office) once Cengage offices have reopened.
Cengage Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status, parental status, cultural background, organizational level, work styles, tenure and life experiences. Or for any other reason. You may view Cengage's EEO/Affirmative Action Policy signed by CEO Michael Hansen and Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law notice by visiting their corresponding links.
Cengage Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at accommodations.ta@cengage.com or you may call us at +1 (617) 289-7917.
About Cengage Group
Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms. We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.
Cengage Group, a global education technology company serving millions of learners, provides affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready. For more than 100 years, we have enabled the power and joy of learning with trusted, engaging content, and now, integrated digital platforms.
We serve the higher education, workforce skills, secondary education, English language teaching and research markets worldwide. Through our scalable technology, including MindTap and Cengage Unlimited, we support all learners who seek to improve their lives and achieve their dreams through education.