Manager, Product Development

About this role

The opportunity
The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) is seeking a Manager, Product Development to lead a multidisciplinary product development team spanning software development, product ownership, business analysis and project delivery.
This role provides hands-on technical and people leadership, while ensuring the team’s products, technology and delivery practices remain aligned with CaRMS’ strategic objectives and match-cycle requirements. The Manager will work closely with internal stakeholders and external development partners to deliver reliable, scalable and high-quality technology solutions.
This is a full-time, permanent, fully remote position. The successful candidate must be based in Canada, with occasional travel. Occasional overtime may be required to meet critical client and match-cycle deadlines.
Role and Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a multidisciplinary Product Development team, overseeing day-to-day operations, priorities and delivery.

• Build a high-performing, accountable and collaborative team environment, including recruitment, coaching, performance management, goal setting and development.

• Address performance and interpersonal matters early, directly and fairly, in partnership with HR.

• Lead and continuously improve Agile delivery practices, user story development, release management and development processes.

• Provide technical leadership and participate in design discussions, coding, code reviews and troubleshooting when required.

• Drive the adoption of modern front-end and back-end technologies and the continued evolution of CaRMS’ technology platform.

• Lead the transition from legacy Java and WebLogic systems to newer technology stacks such as Python and Laravel, while maintaining and supporting legacy systems during the transition.

• Lead end-to-end solution design for the current product portfolio and next-generation offerings.

• Identify and address key operational “dissatisfiers” and opportunities to improve the user and client experience.

• Collaborate with the Product team on user experience and interaction design.

• Develop, maintain and execute the product roadmap in collaboration with internal stakeholders.

• Guide product in translating business needs into clear requirements and priorities aligned with CaRMS strategy and match-cycle timelines.

• Plan, prioritize and oversee project and non-project work across the Product Development team.

• Monitor and report on team performance, delivery, risks, dependencies and opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with CaRMS managers to identify and prioritize technology and software development requirements.

• Work effectively with internal and external development partners, establishing clear expectations around scope, quality, budgets, delivery and knowledge transfer.

• Develop and review technical aspects of software services contracts.

• Maintain appropriate product, technical and operational documentation and reporting.

• Other duties as assigned.

Mandatory Requirements

• University degree in Computer Science or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on software development experience, including experience with Agile methodologies.

• Minimum 2 years of experience leading or managing developers and technical specialists.

• Hands-on experience with modern web application stacks such as Python and Laravel, with the ability to work with legacy Java and WebLogic applications.

• Experience working with external development partners or contractors alongside an internal development team, including managing scope and deliverables.

• Experience with product ownership or product management practices, including backlog prioritization, requirements definition and roadmapping.

• Demonstrated experience coaching and developing team members and managing performance and interpersonal challenges.

• Experience in a service delivery environment where the product and service are heavily dependent on a client-facing IT platform.

• Working knowledge of digital user experience design, including online and mobile environments.

• Proven ability to work successfully with highly capable software development teams.

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in an entrepreneurial, start-up or scale-up environment with broad ownership and responsibility.

• Familiarity with Datadog, GitHub, Jira, Claude and Figma.

• Experience leading technology modernization or platform transformation initiatives.

• Experience managing a blended team of internal employees and external development partners.

• Experience driving continuous improvement across technology, product and delivery practices.

Competencies: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong technical knowledge of software development, product delivery and Agile practices.

• Strategic and design-thinking mindset with the ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

• Strong organizational, prioritization and problem-solving skills.

• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to build trust and high-performing teams.

• Ability to balance hands-on technical contribution with people leadership.

• Strong communication skills, including the ability to communicate priorities, risks, dependencies and progress to senior leadership.

• Ability to translate business needs into clear product priorities and delivery plans.

• Ability to guide technology evolution, encourage innovation and manage technical debt.

• Strong relationship-management skills when working with internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Demonstrated commitment to developing people and creating opportunities for growth.

• Adaptable, accountable and comfortable working in a changing, growth-oriented environment.

The Successful Candidate
The successful candidate is a hands-on technology leader who combines strong software development expertise with effective people and product…