Product Manager

Description
 
Employment Type: Full-time, W2 position with Cogent People Inc. This is a direct hire position with full benefits. 

Location: Hybrid Columbia MD OR Remote (as applicable to role) 

Work Authorization Requirements 

To comply with government contracting requirements, candidates must meet all of the following: 
Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or valid EAD holder  
Must have lived in the United States for at least 3 of the past 5 years  
Must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship  
Sponsorship (H-1B) is not available for this position (now or in the future). 

Candidates who do not meet these requirements will not be considered. 
Clearance Requirement 

Public Trust required or ability to obtain, depending on assignment. 

About Cogent People Inc.
 
Cogent People Inc. is a government consulting and technology services firm supporting mission-critical federal and commercial programs. We deliver secure, scalable, and modern digital solutions across complex IT environments. 
Our teams thrive at the intersection of engineering excellence and mission impact, building systems that matter. 

Job Overview 

Cogent People Inc. is seeking a Product Manager to support a government program delivery. This role is responsible for strategy, execution, delivery, and collaboration while ensuring alignment with business goals, user needs, and technical requirements. Defines product strategy and roadmap. This position may be contingent upon contract award. 
Requirements
 
What You'll Do 

Product Strategy & Roadmap 
Define and communicate product vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with CMS mission objectives, business priorities, and user needs.  
Translate strategic goals into actionable product initiatives and measurable outcomes.  
Evaluate market, stakeholder, and user insights to inform product direction and investment decisions.  
Ensure roadmap priorities support organizational objectives and program goals.  
Product Delivery & Execution 
Lead and support assigned functional activities across the product lifecycle.  
Manage and prioritize product backlogs to maximize business value and user impact.  
Define and refine features, user stories, acceptance criteria, and product requirements.  
Partner with delivery teams to ensure solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and aligned with quality standards.  
Monitor product performance and recommend enhancements based on data, feedback, and evolving requirements.  
Stakeholder Collaboration 
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, business stakeholders, users, and technical partners to gather requirements and align priorities.  
Facilitate discussions that balance business needs, user experience, technical feasibility, and compliance requirements.  
Communicate product priorities, roadmap updates, risks, and progress to stakeholders and leadership.  
Build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups and support informed decision-making. 
Quality, Compliance & Continuous Improvement 
Ensure products and deliverables comply with CMS standards, federal regulations, and program requirements.  
Support documentation, governance, and audit readiness activities.  
Identify opportunities to improve processes, delivery efficiency, and product outcomes.  
Promote user-centered design, accessibility, and continuous improvement practices throughout product development. 
What We're Looking For 
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience 
8+ years of relevant experience 
Strong communication and analytical skills 
Experience supporting enterprise or regulated environments 
Ability to work across cross-functional teams 
What Will Set You Apart 
Bachelor's degree in Business, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.  
8+ years of experience in Product Management, Product Ownership, Business Analysis, or related disciplines.  
Experience defining product vision, strategy, roadmaps, and backlog priorities.  
Strong communication, facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and analytical skills.  
Experience supporting enterprise-scale systems or highly regulated environments.  
Ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams, including business, technical, and operational stakeholders.  
Experience translating business requirements into actionable product features and delivery plans. 
Why Cogent People Inc.? 

At Cogent People, we combine technical excellence with a mission-driven culture. Our teams work on meaningful, high-impact projects that support government and enterprise transformation initiatives. 

We offer: 
Competitive compensation  
Career growth and professional development opportunities  
Exposure to complex, mission-critical systems  
A collaborative and supportive team environment  
Long-term client engagements with stability and continuity  
We are a Certified Great Place to Work, committed to building an inclusive and high-performance culture.
 
Benefits 
Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (comprehensive coverage)  
401(k) with company match  
Company-paid life insurance  
Short-term and long-term disability coverage  
Paid Time Off: 3 weeks annually + 10 paid holidays  
Employee assistance and wellness resources (as applicable)  
Compliance Notice 

Cogent People Inc. conducts employment verification for all candidates. Misrepresentation of work authorization, residency history, or professional experience will result in disqualification. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) and evaluate all applicants based on qualifications, experience, and role requirements. 

We do not engage third-party recruiters for this role unless explicitly stated.