PRODUCT MANAGER, UC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - REMOTE WITHIN CALIFORNIA

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Department Overview The University of California’s Digital Innovation & Technology (UC DigIT) department powers the digital ecosystem that supports UC’s academic, research, and administrative mission. As the systemwide digital engine, UC DigIT transforms complex enterprise systems, infrastructure, and security services into inclusive and human-centered solutions designed to meet challenges at UC scale.

Position Summary The IT Product Manager, Intellectual Property (IP), serves as the strategic product leader for the University of California’s Intellectual Property Management System (IPMS), providing vision, leadership, and governance for a complex, systemwide capability. Operating within UC’s highly decentralized environment, this role builds consensus among executive leaders, Technology Transfer Office personnel across locations, UCOP ITE leadership and staff, and UCOP DigIT leaders and staff to align diverse priorities into a shared product strategy and technology roadmap.

The Product Manager leads product strategy, roadmap development, and investment prioritization to deliver measurable business outcomes while driving innovation, automation, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement across IP operations and IPMS services. This role evaluates business needs, vendor roadmap changes, and advises executive leadership on strategic opportunities, risks, and tradeoffs. The Product Manager translates business objectives into product direction and functional requirements, facilitates difficult decisions among competing interests, and negotiates agreements that balance location-specific needs with systemwide objectives.

Success in this role depends on exceptional leadership, executive communication, relationship management, and political acumen, as well as the ability to influence people and outcomes without direct authority. The Product Manager works across business and technology domains to guide cross-functional teams, build durable partnerships, and champion adoption of new capabilities that improve service delivery and maximize the value of the IPMS investment.

Reporting to the Director of Product, Project, and Service Management, the IT Product Manager also provides leadership to the Business Systems Analysts (BSAs), setting priorities, clarifying outcomes, and empowering the team to build strong and effective relationships across the business and IT communities.

This position is fully remote from within California. If you do not currently reside in California, you must be willing to relocate within an agreed upon time frame to be considered for the position.

Key Responsibilities 25% Product Strategy, Vision & Roadmap: Develop and communicate the long-term product vision, strategy, and technology roadmap for the University of California’s Intellectual Property Management System (IPMS), ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, research administration objectives, and technology strategy. Own the product lifecycle for Wellspring Evolve and related technologies, continuously evaluating business needs, emerging capabilities, vendor roadmaps, and industry trends to identify o…