Position Purpose:

The Deputy Chief Product Officer will be responsible for consolidating and delivering a roadmap that focuses on innovation, optimization, and modernization of the Paid Leave product. This is a senior-level role and must demonstrate a high-level subject matter expertise in every facet of the product development lifecycle, and all core tenants of product management. The position will contribute to the long-term Paid Leave goals and objectives through the development of vision documents, and strategic roadmaps, investigating new technologies and advising on buy, build, and partner decisions, developing launch and post-launch measurements, and guiding the work of a team of product and design specialists. The position is structured to work under limited supervision and will serve as a key player in cross-functional teams across the organization, working to align interests and implement scalable solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development process from ideation to launch, including requirement gathering, technical specifications, user testing, and launch strategy.
• Work closely with customers, business partners, operations, and engineering and design teams to ensure products are built to meet user needs, technical feasibility, operational needs, and security standards.
• Lead the implementation, training, and roll-out process for new products.
• Facilitate alignment across large groups of stakeholders and drive product strategy.

Utilize customer, market, and business insights to identify product challenges and opportunities, and garner support from the product team in determining the root causes, contributing factors and best solutions.

Lead and coach a team of high-performing product managers and designers dedicated to customer empathy, continuous learning and experimentation, and the iterative release and delivery of value.

About the Paid Leave Division:

Paid Leave is a new program launching in 2026. The program will provide partial wage replacement to Minnesota workers who are out of work due to a qualifying condition, such as a severe health condition that prevents them from working, or when they need time to care for a family member or a new child.

We are building a program that will be easy for every Minnesotan to use. We are engaging the people who depend on us—workers, employers, caregivers, and insurers—to learn from them and build the program around their needs. We are using modern service delivery and product practices to deliver the program.

The Paid Leave team has high standards and an unrelenting commitment to serving Minnesotans. It is a start-up environment without legacy systems or preconceived ways of working, so we have a unique opportunity to create human-centric processes and systems to deliver this new benefit to Minnesotans.

Minimum Qualifications

To receive credit for your education and experience, your resume should clearly describe how you meet each minimum and/or preferred qualification listed, including dates of employment.

Four (4) years* of experience in a product development lifecycle, and product management, with at least two (2) of the years in managing teams to meet the organization's productivity, quality, and goal accomplishment expectations.

*Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Business, Insurance, Communications, or another closely related field as determined by the agency may substitute one (1) year of experience; master’s degree substitutes for eighteen (18) months of experience

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

Experience in the following:

• New product innovation, consumer product management, and building a product from 0-1.
• Finding and communicating the critical next steps needed to create and maintain momentum on a project.
• Building strong, positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Coaching, mentoring, and developing staff while building relationships.

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

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