Software Product Manager

Software Product Manager

So you use Yelp to find where to go to dinner.  Or perhaps Rotten Tomatoes to help decide what movie to see?  Trip Advisor to decide where to vacation?  Every day you use the power of other people’s opinions, insights and experiences to make decisions.  So why don’t our veterans have those same tools available to them when decided on where to go for healthcare, job opportunities, family assistance or education and training?

Warrior Gateway’s mission is to eliminate the information barriers that keep members of the military community from connecting with the resources they need. By providing a comprehensive directory of service organizations, community feedback and volunteer opportunities as well as a knowledge base of valuable information through our G.I. Network, Warrior Gateway is aimed at easing the transition from military to civilian life and also providing support for the families of those in uniform.

Position Summary:
Warrior Gateway is seeking collaborative, roll-up-your-sleeves Software Product Manager who will be responsible for managing the product roadmap for all of Warrior Gateway’s initiatives. He or she will report to the Warrior Gateway CEO and interact heavily with the entire team.  Activities include planning iterations and releases in an Agile /Scrum development cycle, fills and prioritizes the product backlog and refines its contents on an ongoing basis, allocates resources, mitigates risks, manages scope changes, defines processes and ensures that the team adheres to these processes and ultimately ensure a timely and quality delivery.   This person will be the go-to resource for the CEO and act as his “right-hand” person for executing the product roadmap vision.  The Product Manager will also represent the stakeholder and user requirements to the development team.

The Warrior Gateway is an ambitious organization and we especially value candidates who are passionate about supporting the Warrior Gateway community and are willing to step outside of their specific job descriptions to do whatever it takes to create the best experience possible for the Warrior Gateway’s users. This position can be based in Washington, DC or San Francisco, CA, however virtual candidates will be considered.

The Product Manager oversees all aspects of meeting the projects goals using planning, monitoring, and control processes. The Product Manager is broadly responsible for coordination and completion of tasks on time and within budget, and to this end will perform a variety of tasks including setting deadlines, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring and summarizing progress of the project.  Additionally, the Product Manager collaborates with the team and aligns with the stakeholders throughout the entire release cycle, clarifies requirements, accepts the work results and is ultimately responsible for creating a smooth flow of work to the team.

Requirements:
•5+ years experience working in a consumer Internet environment (e-commerce and/or social media a plus), including 3+ years of software product management experience
•Experience working as a Product Owner in a Scrum / Agile development environment
•Experience with scope management and risk mitigation, including management of statements of work and change orders
•Demonstrated ability to balance competing business drivers and manage stakeholders, both from the customer and from internal management
•Excellent organizational and team building skills
•Experience with various requirements documentation and story writing techniques
•Experience with testing approaches for quality assurance
•Experience managing project budgets, timelines and demonstrated ability to complete projects on budget
•Experience working with an offshore development team as part of an overall project team
•Good presentation and communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical issues to a non-technical audience
•Recent experience in managing software-as-a-service projects preferred, particularly when migrating from on-premise solutions
•B.A. or B.S. degree
•Military experience preferred

Personal Qualities:
•Exceptional communication, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking skills.
•Ability to interact with diverse technical and non-technical groups, spanning all organizational levels.
•Excellent organizational skills.
•Ability to thrive in a dynamic, loosely structured and rapid growth environment.
•Embraces change and can adapt easily and recover from setbacks.
•Willingness to work hard and think creatively.
•Strong initiative; able to self-manage. Must be comfortable working in an unstructured, creative, and fast-paced environment

To Apply:
If you’re interested in joining the team, please send a cover letter along with your resume to resumes@warriorgateway.org.  In the cover letter, please tell us what inspires you about the Warrior Gateway and why you think you are the perfect applicant for this position.  This is a key position and a wonderful opportunity to join a growing project with a uniquely inspiring mission.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

 

Meet the Warrior Gateway Team: Serena

 


 

 

Bio: After graduating from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design, Serena Hayden joined the U.S. Army as a Public Affairs Specialist in October 2003. Serving four and a half years, Serena began her military career as a photojournalist for the post newspaper at Fort Sill, Okla. She also competed in multiple competitions while stationed at Fort Sill, winning the 2005 Installation Management Agency Soldier of the Year. During the transition of Brigade Combat Teams in 2005, Serena was transferred to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas, where she assisted in the development of the brigade’s public affairs office and served as the Public Affairs Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge. She deployed with the brigade to Diyala Province, Iraq, from 06-08, and was awarded the Bronze Star for her service. After leaving the military in 2008, Serena relocated to Austin, Texas, where she serves as a Community Partnership Manager and Marketing Specialist for Warrior Gateway.

QUICK FACTS

Hometown: San Antonio, Tx

Hobbies: Time with family and friends, Photography, Reading, Crossword Puzzles, Golf, Playstation 3

High School: Tom C. Clark High School – Class of ‘99

College: Proud Member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2003!

Q & A

What’s your position at Warrior Gateway?
Community Partnership Manager and Marketing Specialist

What’s special about working at Warrior Gateway?
When I left the military, I struggled with my transition and no longer felt I served a purpose. Working for Warrior Gateway allows me to continue serving the greatest population – our military community – and develop partnerships focused on innovative ways to ease their transitions.

So far, what has been your favorite moment at Warrior Gateway?
My favorite moment at Warrior Gateway has been developing relationships and partnerships with the organizations I met at the Texas Veterans Commission Veterans Summit. The ability to collaborate and work with other military-focused organizations is uplifting and truly enjoyable as we support them in supporting our service members, veterans and their families.

What is your connection to the military?
Several members of my family have served in the military, to include both of my grandfathers and one of my uncles. Unfortunately, they all died prior to my enlistment, but would be proud to know I served.

Why do you believe in the G.I. Network initiative?
Searching for resources, especially during difficult times, can be overwhelming and frustrating. Every resource directory provides different answers in regards to where the military community should go for assistance, so the ability to have a centralized directory which can be accessed from any partner organization’s website is vital. So whether resource information is accessed from the North Dakota VA’s website or TexVet.org, the G.I. Network provides streamlined results with the ability to leave feedback on services.

On a more personal note, what do you do in your free time?
My free time is mainly spent with friends and family. Iraq’s lessons of perspective on life are carried with me daily, so I make it a point to surround myself with loved ones as much as possible.

Connect with Serena!


Meet the Warrior Gateway Team: Nathalia

 

 

 

Bio: Nathalia Magri was born and raised in Colombia, South America. At the age of 17, Nathalia and her family relocated to Texas, where she finished high school and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston – Honors College.

Nathalia’s career in the non-profit world started her junior year of college when she joined Genesys Works; a Houston based non-profit organization that changes the life trajectory of low-income high school students. Her background and passion for education led her to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where she served as Special Assistant and Liaison to the Board.

In 2009, Nathalia married Capt. John D. Magri (U.S. Army), and relocated to Colorado Springs, where she joined El Pomar Foundation’s team as a Program Associate. During her time at El Pomar Foundation, she managed the Summer Internship program and regional partnerships in the Southwest and High Country regions of Colorado. Nathalia also provided technical assistance and support to local non-profits, including: The Mountain Post Historical Center, CrossFire Ministries, and The Denver Foundation.

Nathalia joined the Warrior Gateway team in 2011 and currently serves as the Community Partnership Manager for the Western Region.

QUICK FACTS

Hometown: I was born and raised in South America in a beautiful city on the western side of Colombia, named Cali. The temperature there is absolutely perfect  - 70 degree (avg.) year-around.

Hobbies: … and things that I love to do: Yoga, hiking, reading Women’s Health Magazine, going for a run with my dog, trying new restaurants, and spending time with my family.

High School: I went to a German School in Colombia (kinder to sophomore year), and finished high school at Dickinson High School in Texas.

College: I earned a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Houston – Honors College.

 

Q & A

What’s your position at Warrior Gateway?
I am the Community Partnership Manager for the Western region of the U.S.

What’s special about working at Warrior Gateway?
The people! The Warrior Gateway team, and the people I meet who are doing wonderful things for the military community.

So far, what has been your favorite moment at Warrior Gateway?
My favorite moment happens every time I talk about the G.I. Network; every time we close a partnership, every time more and more people realize that we are able to better serve our service members, veterans, and families if we all work together.

What is your connection to the military?
I am married to a wonderful man who proudly serves in the U.S. Army.

Why do you believe in the G.I. Network initiative?
I believe that the G.I. Network will serve as a set of “yellow pages” that service members, veterans and their families can refer to for help to provide consistent answers, not links to other websites! I truly believe this is a win-win solution.  Not only will the G.I. Network help alleviate the frustration of the military community, but it will also help service providers be aware of other services and work with each other.

On a more personal note, what do you do in your free time?
Honestly, I love to spend time with my husband, I know! It sounds really cheesy, but it is true. Oh and… I clean!  There is nothing that I enjoy more than spending time in an nice, clean house.

One more thought
“Obstacles are those frightening things that become visible when we take our eyes off our goals.” ~Henry Ford

Connect with Nathalia!

 

Featured Resource Series: Project Sanctuary – Hosting Retreats for all Military Families

Welcome Home Troops, now what??
Project Sanctuary partnering with The Sierra Club to make a difference.

 

Rightfully so, the news has been full of pictures of excited families, reuniting after returning home from Iraq, tearful embraces among the Welcome Home signs.  These images leave the majority of American thinking; “Ahhh, there is a happy ending”.  When in fact the war may just beginning.

Repeated deployments and conditions such as Post Traumatic Stress and Traumatic Brain Injuries complicate the happily-ever-after, and often leave their mark on ALL the family members.  Suicides, divorces and Veteran unemployment are all record highs.

The traditional approach to treating PTSD relies on the use of medications provided solely to the individual.  What if there was an alternative method and incorporating treatment for the entire family??  Providing the family with an adaptation strategy to help break the cycle of PSTD rather than masking its symptoms.  And what if, what if, we could get these families moving in the right direction…outdoors!!

Project Sanctuary offers six day therapeutic retreats in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, hosted with YMCA’s Snow Mountain Ranch.   By utilizing year round outdoor recreation, our families are allowed to break their cycle of stress, bond with other families all the while enjoying hiking, fishing, skiing, tubing and horseback riding.

The goal is for the military family to obtain the skills necessary to integrate back into society in a healthy environment. Using year round recreational opportunities to assist with bonding, communicational skills and enhancing overall moods is a key element.   They are empowered to work through difficult issues as a family unit and continue to receive support from Project Sanctuary for two additional years.

This March, The Sierra Club, Project Sanctuary and Regis University are teaming up host ten military families for our 22nd retreat.  This collaboration brings together the best of all organizations with the goal of conducting a formalized study proving that outdoor recreation is a viable, timely and useful tool in healing the effects of PTSD in our military families.

So, “Welcome Home”.  Now grab a back pack, your family and hit a trail.  There is healing to be done!

About Project Sanctuary

Project Sanctuary is a Colorado 501C3 hosting therapeutic retreats for all military families. Retreats are lead by Licensed Professional Counselors, Recreation Therapists and Veterans.  Healthy Marriage, Financial Peace classes along with outdoor recreation are utilized in this one of a kind program. To date, Project Sanctuary has hosted 20 retreats and of our 143 families we can report zero suicides.
For more information please visit: www.projectsanctuary.us

Interested in Guest Blogging for us?

  • Email us at socialmedia@warriorgateway.org.

Retweetables

  • @WarriorGateway Featured Resource Series: @ProSanctuary hosting retreats for all #military families: http://ow.ly/92iTl #SeaOfGoodwill

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2012 Warrior Gateway Internships Available

So you use Yelp to find where to go to dinner.  Or perhaps Rotten Tomatoes to help decide what movie to see?  Trip Advisor to decide where to vacation?  Every day you use the power of other people’s opinions, insights and experiences to make decisions.  So why don’t our veterans have those same tools available to them when decided on where to go for healthcare, job opportunities, family assistance or education and training?

If you’re looking for an internship in a growing company that is transforming the veterans landscape, then we want to hear from you!  This internship is a hybrid role that will include assignments and learning opportunities across our strategic partnership and social media marketing groups.  It also includes supporting the CEO with various administrative tasks.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to: General office assistance, Salesforce.com management, Google Adwords Advertising Campaigns, Market Research, Facebook Fan Page management, Twitter Follower management, Social Media marketing metrics reporting and creation of Warrior Gateway blog posts.

Expectations:

  • Minimum commitment of 20 hours per week
  • A high energy level

Roles/Responsibilities:

  • Salesforce.com data entry
  • Help grow audience for and manage CEO’s social media accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn accounts)
  • Help write and edit online content
  • Support ongoing marketing projects
  • Assist with additional administrative tasks

Requirements:

  • Self motivated candidate who can work independently from home
  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience
  • Military Experience or knowledge of the community a plus

This is a paid internship. Email all applications with a resume and cover letter to: resumes@warriorgateway.org with 2012 Internship in the subject line.  Applications without a cover letter will not be looked at nor considered.