Lead Product Manager - Government Solutions

Ranked #292 on Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Private Companies

About Upwards:

Upwards is a fast-growing startup transforming childcare in the United States. Backed by top investors and VCs, we're making childcare accessible to all families by connecting parents, caregivers, employers, and governments to offer benefits programs that meet ever-evolving family needs.

It is our mission to make childcare affordable and accessible for all.

Here is an overview of what you will be contributing to as the Lead Product Manager | Government Solutions

We are seeking an experienced Lead Product Manager to lead the development and management of our government product suite. This role involves close collaboration with our government clients to understand their needs, develop tailored solutions, and ensure the successful implementation of our products.

The role of the Lead Product Manager | Government Solutions will be responsible for:

• Product Strategy for Government Solutions: Develop and execute a product roadmap that aligns with the company’s goals and the specific needs of the government sector. Ensure our products adhere to the highest standards of functionality, reliability, security, and compliance, including necessary certifications (e.g., FedRAMP). This includes overseeing testing, quality assurance, and continuous optimization.
• Government Market Analysis: Conduct in-depth market research to identify trends, opportunities, and potential threats within the government sector. Translate insights into actionable strategies that align our product offerings with the evolving needs of government clients.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with engineering, sales, marketing, compliance, and support teams to ensure seamless product development, launch, and ongoing support for government clients.
• Feedback Loop Management: Gather, prioritize, and synthesize product and customer requirements specific to the government sector. Define the product vision and work closely with engineering to deliver secure and reliable solutions that meet government specifications.
• Performance Metrics: Define and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of government-focused products. Use data-driven insights to make informed decisions on product enhancements, optimizations, and future developments.
• Innovation and Compliance Improvement: Continuously seek opportunities to innovate and improve our product offerings, with a focus on enhancing the experience and effectiveness for government clients while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

We are seeking candidates with the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of product management experience, with at least 2 years focused on government or public sector clients.
• Experience with government contracts, regulations, and compliance requirements is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of managing all aspects of a successful product throughout its lifecycle, particularly in environments with complex stakeholder requirements.
• Experience in navigating the unique challenges of government procurement processes is a plus.
• Strong understanding of enterprise software, SaaS platforms, and the B2B market, with specific knowledge of government technology needs and regulatory constraints.
• Familiarity with FedRAMP, FISMA, or other government security frameworks is highly desirable.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and analytical skills, with a demonstrated ability to handle large-scale, mission-critical projects.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an emphasis on building productive and positive relationships with government clients and partners.
• Ability to effectively communicate with government stakeholders and understand their unique requirements.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, with a focus on delivering results within the framework of government timelines and processes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in drafting proposals, compliance documentation, and client communications tailored to government audiences.

What the Interview Process will look like (interchangeable):

• Recruiting Manager interview
• Part 1 Take-Home Exercise
• Leadership Interview
• Part 2 Take-Home Exercise then Panel Discussion
• Team Interview

Let’s talk about the perks at Upwards:

• Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000 annually
• Comprehensive Benefits - Medical, Vision, Dental, Short and Long Term Disability.
• Parental Leave - Upwards provides a generous parental leave.
• Monthly Fringe Benefits - Pick something fun for yourself!
• 401K with a 3% Match - You invest in us, we are going to invest in your future.
• Flexible Paid Time Off - We encourage you to take time for yourself.
• Equity - We want our employees to be stakeholders.
• Paid access to co-working spaces or internet reimbursement
• Stipend to outfit your home office - We are 100% remote, so find that comfy chair!
• Yearly professional development stipend - We support career development for all employees.

Compensation determinations rely on various factors, encompassing the position level, the individual's skills, knowledge, and capabilities, location, internal fairness considerations, and alignment with market data.

Upwards, as an E-Verify participant and equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate based on race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, or Veteran status. Rest assured that all your information will be treated confidentially in accordance with EEO guidelines.