Network Product Manager

About AARNet

Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) was established in 1989 and is widely regarded as the founder of the Internet in Australia and renowned as the architect, builder, and operator of world-class network infrastructure for research and education.

As Australia’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). We connect over one million users — researchers, faculty, staff, students, hospitals, vocational training providers, schools, and museums — across Australia.

We are an organisation of innovators, doers, and courageous thinkers. We don’t settle for the status quo; instead, we anticipate the future needs of our customers and build solutions today.

Role Purpose

Placed in the Product & Commercial team, the Network Product Manager is responsible for the development and lifecycle management of the company’s network product portfolio. This role ensures network products are commercially viable, technically robust, and aligned with customer needs, regulatory requirements, and the company’s long-term strategy.

The position plays a role at the intersection of network engineering, commercial management, project management office and customer experience. It combines a passion for customer centric product solution and innovation with commercial and technical acumen to run a market leading network product portfolio.

Key responsibilities include defining and maintaining product roadmaps, ideate viable new products including understanding customer requirements and supporting business cases, pre- and post-sales activities, overseeing product development, and driving market adoption. The role also includes stakeholder engagement, risk and issue management, and ensuring transparent reporting to customers and AARNet management. 

Key Accountabilities

Product Development & Lifecycle Management

• Oversee the full product lifecycle, from concept and business case through launch, market optimisation, and retirement.
• Partner with Network Engineering, IT, Operations, Customer Relations and Project Management Office to ensure successful product support and delivery.
• Ensure products meet performance, reliability, security, and SLA requirements.

Commercial & Market Focus

• Drive product profitability through pricing strategy, cost optimisation, and value proposition development.
• Conduct market and competitor analysis to identify growth opportunities.
• Define, track and report on KPIs to measure product success and inform decision-making.

Stakeholder & Customer Engagement

• Act as a subject matter expert for customer relations, partners, and vendors.
• Engage with customers to understand requirements and inform product direction.
• Provide pre-sales support, including demonstrations, presentations, and responding to customer queries
• Represent the organisation in industry forums and partner discussions where required.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure network products comply with Australian regulatory requirements, including privacy and security obligations.
• Manage product risk, technical debt, and lifecycle sustainability.
• Support annual planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

Expertise, experience & qualifications

• Relevant degree in Engineering, Technology, Business, or a related field.
• 5–7+ years of experience in product management within telecommunications (fixed network preferred, customer facing or wholesale) or a related technology sector.
• Proven experience in product development using a variety of product and project development as well as change management methodologies
• Commercial acumen to drive market analysis and business cases.
• Demonstrated successful customer interaction
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with commercial acumen.
• Ability to operate in an ambiguous environment
• Advanced communication skills.
• Collaborative contributor with hands-on attitude and delivery mindset.

Conditions of employment

AARNet is committed to diversity and providing equal opportunity to all. We are a great place to work if you want to make a difference. Remuneration will be based on skills and experience and will include an above-market superannuation package.

At AARNet, all employees are responsible for:

•     Actively promoting safe work practices in the workplace during all activities consistent with AARNet’s policies and comply with all WH&S legislation, policies, and procedures.

•     Actively contributing to a safe and supportive working environment that is inclusive of all staff.

•     Compliance with all workplace directions and processes;

•     Compliance with the applicable contract of employment; and

•     Maintaining a standard of performance that is acceptable to AARNet.