Director Of Product Development

Ritter Communications has been at the forefront of the local communications industry for more than a century. We began providing telephone service in Northeast Arkansas in 1906. Today, Ritter Communications serves over 100 communities across Arkansas, northeast Texas, southeast Missouri, and west Tennessee. The company has grown steadily over the years, expanding rapidly and is now the largest privately-held regional broadband fiber, telecom, video and cloud services provider in the Mid-South. Ritter invests heavily in the communities it serves by deploying proven, best-in-class infrastructure and technology, while coupling it with a world-class customer focused experience.

General Summary:

The Director of Product Development serves as the champion for product development and product management for Ritter Voice, Video, Internet, Multi-Site and Cloud services as well as management of the Product Development team. The position oversees management of existing products and services as well as creates and integrates new products. The Director of Product Development leads development of the product strategy, cost and margin analysis, industry/market research, and in-life performance measurement to determine product demand, positioning, viability, and profitability.

This role leads the creation creates formal business cases and product descriptions and work as a facilitator between the various internal organizations to ensure product policies and processes are negotiated, documented, and executed accurately. The Director of Product Development spearheads the development of product specifications, pricing, pricing changes, manages updates in partnership with Legal & Regulatory, pre-empts potential problems and provides effective solutions in reaction to the application of concepts, techniques, knowledge, or processes developed to support the new product or product change. As the leader for Product Development, this role includes a customer-facing component for product specific presentations and education.

Essential Job Functions:

• Manages in-life product performance: sales, margin, and churn, performance, conducting extensive numerical analysis using company data;

• Identifies and presents innovative and creative product solutions;

• Identifies the business, technical and operational requirements based upon the business requirements & objectives of each product;

• Directs projects of all product integration/launches/changes throughout implementation;

• Displays a high level of critical thinking in cross-functional process analysis and problem resolution for new and existing products;

• Coordinates and builds strong working relations with various internal organizations including; IT, Architecture, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Customer Care, Services Delivery, Field Operations and Network Operations;

• Leads the development, approval, training, and communication of new products/product changes and their associated customer, operational, system, & process impacts to the various internal organizations;

• Leads the development and conduct specialized training on new products launched and raise awareness and application of relevant subject matter;

• Monitors internal processes for efficiency and validity pre and post product launch/changes;

• Provides supervision for the Product Development team including conducting performance evaluations, assigning or delegating work, providing on-the-job training, giving mentorship to staff, and recruiting for open positions;

• Ensures that the Product Development team has the proper tools and resources, and ensure they are assigned appropriately to projects and engagement opportunities;

• Provides leadership for other departmental projects as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of company products and services;

• Skill in operating various office equipment such as personal computer, various software programs, and telephone systems;

• Skill in multiple communication methods, including oral, written, facilitation, and public speaking;

• Strong interpersonal skills;

• Ability to read, understand and communicate technical documentation

• Ability to think strategically, with strong decision-making abilities and investigative skills;

• Ability to demonstrate skills in leadership and change management;

• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work proactively with a sense of urgency;

• Ability to make sound decisions using information at hand;

• Ability to remain highly adaptive, flexible, and shift strategies on short notice as environment dictates;

• Ability to work independently and pay close attention to detail with little direction;

• Ability to solve problems with creativity and innovation;

• Ability to write and deliver training courses and materials;

• High level proficiency in general business - vendor management, budgets, negotiations, presentations, margin and cash flow analysis;

• Proficient in employee training and development and process development;

• Proficient in coaching, problem-solving and conflict resolution;

• Ability to travel for business requirements; must possess a valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, engineering, technology;

Six years marketing/product development, engineering or product architecture experience; telecommunications industry experience required;

Three to five years of spreadsheet-based numerical analysis;

Experience in product development, engineering, project management, strategic planning, and implementation strongly preferred.

Ritter Communications is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We strive to maintain a drug-free workplace.

We offer competitive compensation and an outstanding benefits package including health, dental, vision, cancer, accident and life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, 401(k) with company match, flexible spending accounts, free gym membership, company discounts, tuition reimbursement, paid training, paid leave, and much more!