Product Strategist

Minneapolis, United States

Minimum Qualifications

BA/BS plus at least four years of experience or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least eight years.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of parking access revenue control and business allocation software
Ability to identify departmental priorities and make decisions to ensure work efforts and resources are employed appropriately.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with a diverse customer base and work force.
Team builder, customer-driven, decisive, results-oriented, and committed to improvement.
Highly developed conflict management, negotiation and problem resolution skills.
Proven written, verbal, interpersonal and persuasion skills.
Ability to balance multiple work demands and to thrive in a changing environment.

Product Strategist
CO Spec 1 - 9731PT
Parking and Transportation Services
Position Description
University of Minnesota

Background
Parking and Transportation Services is a self-supporting unit of the University of Minnesota within Auxiliary Services. The department is responsible for the administration, operation and maintenance of reliable and efficient transportation services on the Twin Cities campus including transit, parking, fleet, streets, walkways and way-finding. PTS supports alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle and promotes programs to encourage the University community to walk, bike, carpool, or take the bus. The department handles compliance documentation for all University vehicles or licensed equipment and administers the fuel credit card, vehicle insurance and safety, and employee driver training programs.

PTS Mission
Facilitating safe and effective integrated transportation systems that provide services for pedestrians, bicycles, transit and vehicles.

Responsibilities

60% Establish and manage parking and transportation-related products offered to the University community

Establish and administer parking, transportation, and mobility programs for students, employees, departments, and specialty users, including ADA accommodations and construction parking, among others.
Complete weekly review of contract allocations and sales.
Provide leadership and guidance to Admissions, Orientation/Welcome Week, Housing & Residential Life and other areas regarding specific parking and transportation needs and requirements.
Establish and maintain service level or Real Estate agreements to document specialty parking
Manage and maintain inventory of card stock.
Coordinate system updates/upgrades with PTS IT and vendors.
Collaborate, train, and coordinate with PTS operations center staff to ensure PTS products meet customer needs and operational realities.
Administer University and departmental policies.
Provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers. Actively promote and ensure a culture of quality customer service. Ensure complaints are resolved in a timely manner and individualized service is provided within current department and University policies.
Act as a Subject Matter Expert-level escalation point for in-depth customer service issues related to products and agreements.
Identify, monitor and track issues, concerns, and challenging customer situations.
Work to find the best parking and transportation solution for customers or direct them to appropriate personnel or resources.
Look for ways to improve efficiency and service levels.
Attend training sessions or seminars to improve performance.
Recommend policies and/or operating procedures changes.
Attend meetings and follow up with customer departments regarding parking and transportation needs.
Efficiently solve operational problems; and initiate appropriate actions as required. Elevate and inform the subject matter experts/senior leadership as appropriate.
Perform financial analysis to answer customer billing questions. Partner with the accounting/finance staff to resolve customer service issues.
Coordinate the verification of EFS-based translation and arrange for the collection of payments.
Comply with all University and departmental financial and operational conduct policies and enforce proper financial procedures.
Maintain fiscal integrity by monitoring predetermined margins with an emphasis on sound cash control procedures.
Conduct spot audits or other types of audits when requested.
Work with customer service to ensure proper cash handling procedures are followed.
Work in connection with the departmental accounting staff to investigate cash control. procedural problems, errors, and potential theft.
Assist with quarterly and annual audits and oversee and back up month end closing as requested.
Process credit card payments following PCI DSS compliance requirements.
Conduct product forecasting
Analyze product sales and utilization data to better inform product and contract trends and space utilization.
Recommend product and program improvements to maximize facility utilization, meet customer expectations, and support the University’s multi-faceted mission.

40% Support PTS Administration/Strategic Planning

Assist with agreement compliance
Support other contract programs, including biking, transit, etc.
Maintain inventory of PTS-wide vendor, service, real estate, contracts and other agreements. Maintain insurance certificates, performance bonds, and/or other contract related documents.
Monitor contract terms and work with SMEs to ensure contract compliance and compliance with University and other applicable policies
Assist with RFPs and contract negotiations as requested
Partner with PTS leadership in implementing quality control procedures and performance measures to ensure a high level of customer service and appropriate implementation of PTS programs and services.
Participate in efforts to enhance PTS wide programs, initiatives, and projects.
Responsible for ensuring compliance with established standards. Respond to questions related to PTS policy.
Administration
Staff departmental and U-wide committees and work groups as requested.
Assist in development and implementation of departmental policies, procedures and initiatives. Answer questions related to PTS administrative policy, respond to or initiate inquiries, and explain policies and procedures.
Develop and maintain administrative processes, procedures and systems including electronic and manual tracking and filing systems for PTS.
Resolve issues and problems independently, as appropriate. Identify areas of improvement and make recommendations. Investigate and develop responses to complicated, complex and/or sensitive inquiries, requests and issues.
Attend training, conference sessions, and/or seminars to stay current with emerging practices and continuous improvement.
Operate and effectively use the department's technology including scheduler, electronic payroll and parking access control systems, supervisory reports in AS400, ticket tracking system, financial reconciliation system, Windows operating system, MS Office (Word and Excel), Google Suite, and other systems.
Communications
Handle complex communications on behalf of PTS leadership, as requested.
Conduct research for reports, documents, publications and/or special projects.
Draft and prepare documents.
Contribute to the development and administration of the annual budget, work plan, business plans, and quarterly updates.
Work with PTS Communications to draft and send customer communications as needed.
Create training and documentation materials.
Maintain discretion and confidentiality.

FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Family: P - Campus Operations
Sal Admin Plan/Grade PA / 15

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America’s Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).

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