About this Product Manager, Semantic Search for Academic Libraries role at OCLC
Together we make breakthroughs possible.
At OCLC, we build technology with a purpose: to connect libraries and make knowledge accessible worldwide, because we believe that what is known must be shared. Our teams work with complex global datasets, AI and machine learning, hybrid cloud solutions, and other technologies that connect people and organizations to the information they need. We value the power of unique perspectives and experiences to unlock innovation. At OCLC, your ideas matter, whether you have two years of experience or 20. You’ll learn, create, and problem-solve with technologists, product developers, librarians, researchers, marketing pros, and support teams around the world.
Why join OCLC?
OCLC is consistently recognized as a best place to work by several independent programs. We recognize and reward people and results with a comprehensive Total Rewards package. This means competitive compensation that reflects your unique contributions—performance, experience, and skills—along with exceptional benefits, including best-in-class health coverage, retirement plans with generous company contributions, and a commitment to your overall well-being.
We know the best ideas don’t always happen at a desk. Take a walking meeting around our 100-acre campus or enjoy lunch on the patio. We’re committed to your success—both personally and professionally. Hybrid work environment: For many roles, three days a week on-site, with occasional additional days based on business needs.
Free use of our on-site fitness center, gym sports, group exercise classes, and game room
Onsite catering and cafeteria subsidized by OCLC
Health and wellness events
Work environments with individual and team spaces and the latest technology tools
Paid parental leave and adoption assistance
Tuition reimbursement and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
Company-subsidized pricing on local tickets and memberships
Join us in transforming how people everywhere access information and be part of a mission-driven team that makes a global impact.
The job details are as follows:
The Product Manager, Semantic Search for Academic Libraries, leads the development and delivery of AI-enabled discovery experiences, owning end-to-end researcher workflows within Discovery and Delivery Services. This role focuses on creating intuitive, high-quality search experiences that leverage natural language understanding, semantic search, and connected knowledge to help researchers easily express intent, explore relationships, and move seamlessly from discovery to access.Partnering closely with cross-functional teams and stakeholders, the Product Manager translates researcher needs and market trends into product strategy, roadmaps, and innovative solutions aligned with evolving, AI-driven user expectations. This role drives execution of complex initiatives, ensures alignment with organizational strategy, and delivers value to member libraries through strong product leadership, user insight, and continuous collaboration.
Responsibilities
Product Strategy and Planning
Oversees market analysis and develops the product strategy and business cases for FirstSearch and new researcher offerings
Defines strategic product goals for FirstSearch aligned to the researcher
Defines discovery features to improve a researcher’s open, exploratory workflow
Contributes to product roadmaps
Collaborates on release plans with software development team
Collaborate with Discovery Product team to ensure semantic features integrate with existing search results and next gen discovery
Collaborates with finance in the production of product budgets and forecasts
Develops pricing strategies and product positioning plans which contribute to maximizing product profitability
Leadership and Management
Provides leadership to cross-functional product workgroups. Leads Product management meetings. Resolves conflicts and drives consensus.
Facilitates collaboration and communication and secures commitment between Development and Product Management and other divisional workgroups towards achievement of common goals.
Develops and monitors progress on product roadmap
Product Marketing Oversight and Consultation
Assists in the development of strategies for customer acquisition and retention; manages relationships with user groups.
Collaborates with the marketing and sales team in the generation of compelling marketing and awareness plans/presentations.
Understands how and when to commission market research to develop and maintain expertise in markets served, alternative services, new technology, and related standards.
Can generate appropriate information for market sizes by sector / territory and can generate market penetration statistics.
Provides training and support to the sales and support team; may assist in significant sales calls.
Analyzes reasons for OCLC product wins and losses against competition and can provide meaningful information to aid product planning.
Will work to define and rationalize user personas
Will produce market/sector white papers
Consultation on Portfolio Planning
Provides input into portfolio business plans, roadmaps, strategies, metrics, and progress reports and reviews
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience
2 to 4 years of experience in product management, user experience, or customer experience of digital products, or equivalent experience
Demonstrated ability to deliver natural language, and semantic discovery solutions; able to partner effectively with search engineering teams
Demonstrated knowledge and use of AI in day-to-day workflows and use of AI/linked data to create engaging next generation discovery solutions
Well-developed communication and presentation skills
Demonstrated understanding of the product lifecycle
Demonstrated collaboration with product users, designers, and researchers
Experience defining and launching new idea or product concepts
Experience leading cross functional workgroups
Desired but not Required
Master’s in Library & Information Science, Business Administration, or equivalent combination of education and experience
2 to 4 years of experience in library services or library management systems
Knowledge of OCLC products and services
Experience with financial planning and financial forecasting
Working Conditions: Normal office environment.
ADA/EAA: The above statements cover what are generally believed to be principal and essential functions of this job. Specific circumstances may allow or require some people assigned to the job to perform a somewhat different combination of duties.
