📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director, Content & Portfolio (Remote)
🔹 Company: Cengage Group
🔹 Location: United States (Remote)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Education, E-Learning
🔹 Date Posted: May 2, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote (Solely)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing content strategy for Gale and Thorndike businesses
- Leading a team of portfolio managers, content development, licensing, and acquisitions leaders
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure content meets market needs and is optimized for digital platforms
- Driving profitability and efficiency through workflow improvements and budget management
- Representing Gale/Thorndike across the organization and advocating for portfolio strategy
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and experience in content development or a related field. Familiarity with the education industry and digital learning platforms is beneficial.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Developing and implementing content strategy for K12, library, and consortia markets
✅ Leading and mentoring a team of portfolio managers and other content leaders
✅ Partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure content is market viable and optimized for digital platforms
✅ Managing budget and financial metrics, including P&L accountability
✅ Representing Gale/Thorndike across the organization and advocating for portfolio strategy
✅ Recruiting, developing, and retaining successful teams through dedicated leadership and growth opportunities
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a mix of strategic planning, team leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. Strong communication and presentation skills are essential for success.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Education, Communications, Business) or equivalent experience
Experience: Minimum of 5 years in a product management or operations role with demonstrated achievement in developing successful products or processes, solving internal or external customer problems through strategy and execution
Required Skills:
- Proven leadership and team management skills
- Experience in budget accountability and management, including developing and tracking to financial and business metrics (e.g., P&L, usage statistics, spending)
- Expertise in developing and articulating vision and strategy that meet business goals
- Strong presentation and communication skills
- Proven team leadership within a matrix environment
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in the education industry or digital learning platforms
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: While a relevant degree is preferred, equivalent experience in content development, product management, or a related field is considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $138,200.00 - $165,000.00 USD per year
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Total Rewards package designed to support and empower employees
- 401(k) matching and other retirement benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee assistance program
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
Working Hours: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM local time, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. Actual compensation may vary based on work schedule, qualifications, experience, internal equity, and geographic location.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Cengage Group is a global education technology company serving millions of learners worldwide. They provide affordable, quality digital products and services that equip students with the skills and competencies needed to be job ready.
Company Size: Cengage Group has 5,001-10,000 employees, providing a large and diverse work environment with ample opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: Cengage Group was founded in 2019, following the separation of the former Cengage Learning into two independent companies.
Company Description:
- Cengage Group is committed to providing engaging and effective learning experiences through innovative technology and trusted content.
- Their portfolio of education businesses supports learners from middle school through graduate school and skills education in more than 125 countries.
- Cengage Group is dedicated to enabling student choice and supporting all students in achieving their education and career goals.
Company Specialties:
- Higher education learning solutions
- Higher Education
- edtech
- Online skills
- Reskilling
- Workforce skills
- Research
- Digital learning
- Secondary education
- English language teaching
- Hybrid learning
- And education technology
Company Website: Cengage Group
ASSUMPTION: Cengage Group's focus on innovation and student-centered learning creates an environment that values adaptability and continuous improvement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, reporting directly to the Senior Vice President, Content & Portfolio Strategy. It offers significant responsibility and the opportunity to drive strategic initiatives.
Reporting Structure: The Director, Content & Portfolio will lead a team of portfolio managers, content development, licensing, and acquisitions leaders, and will collaborate with cross-functional teams across the organization.
Work Arrangement: This is a remote, full-time position with flexible working hours. Regular team meetings and check-ins will be held to ensure effective collaboration and communication.
Growth Opportunities:
- Leading and mentoring a team, providing career path and development opportunities
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives and improve processes
- Representing Gale/Thorndike across the organization and advocating for portfolio strategy
- Potential for career progression within the content and portfolio strategy team or related areas
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities through team leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic decision-making.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Remote (Solely)
Office Location(s): United States (Virtual)
Geographic Context:
- The United States offers a diverse range of educational institutions and markets, providing ample opportunities for content development and strategy implementation.
- The remote work environment allows for flexibility and work-life balance, with the ability to work from anywhere in the United States.
- The United States has a well-established education industry with a strong focus on innovation and digital learning.
Work Schedule: Full-time, typically Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM local time, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The remote work environment requires strong self-motivation, time management, and communication skills to ensure effective collaboration and productivity.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other team members
- Final interview with the Senior Vice President, Content & Portfolio Strategy
- Background check and offer extension
Key Assessment Areas:
- Strategic thinking and content development expertise
- Leadership and team management skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Budget management and financial acumen
- Alignment with Cengage Group's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the education industry and digital learning platforms
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking and leadership skills for the interview
- Research Cengage Group's mission, values, and company culture to ensure a strong fit
ATS Keywords: Content strategy, product management, operations, leadership, budget management, strategic vision, communication skills, team leadership, data-driven strategy, education industry, digital learning platforms
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is likely to be comprehensive, with a focus on assessing the candidate's strategic thinking, leadership, and cultural fit.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
- Content management systems (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, Contentful)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Tableau)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's preferences and the organization's standards.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Student-centered
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Adaptable
- Inclusive
Work Style:
- Strategic and forward-thinking
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and open to change
- Data-driven and analytical
- Strong communication and presentation skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach developing and implementing a strategic vision for a product or service?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you led a team through a significant change or challenge?
- How do you ensure that your content strategy is data-driven and market viable?
- How do you balance the need for innovation with the need for efficiency and profitability?
- How do you foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: Cengage Group values candidates who are student-centered, innovative, collaborative, adaptable, and inclusive, with a strong focus on strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a remote team and ensuring effective collaboration and communication
- Balancing the need for innovation with the need for efficiency and profitability
- Adapting to changes in the education industry and digital learning landscape
- Managing a complex content strategy across multiple markets and platforms
- Ensuring that content meets the diverse needs of K12, library, and consortia markets
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be overcome through strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective collaboration with cross-functional teams.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to a Content Strategy Manager or Product Manager in the education industry, but with a broader scope and greater responsibility for profit and loss accountability
- The education industry is dynamic and evolving, with a strong focus on innovation and digital learning platforms
- Career progression opportunities may include roles in content strategy, product management, or related areas within Cengage Group
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique opportunity to drive strategic initiatives and manage a team in the dynamic and evolving education industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a content strategy for a new digital learning platform
- Conducting market research and analysis to inform content development and acquisition decisions
- Managing a team to update and optimize existing content for digital platforms and new markets
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate innovative technologies and AI into content offerings
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the strategic, collaborative, and innovative nature of the role, as well as the need for strong leadership and team management skills.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader content and portfolio strategy for Gale and Thorndike businesses?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does Cengage Group support the growth and development of its employees?
- What are the key challenges facing the education industry and digital learning platforms, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Cengage Group foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions demonstrate a strong interest in the role, the organization, and the industry, as well as a strategic and forward-thinking mindset.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare examples of your strategic thinking, leadership, and team management skills for the interview
- Research Cengage Group's mission, values, and company culture to ensure a strong fit
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
