Product Manager - Loans

At Smiley Technologies, how we work matters as much as what we build. We’re a community-bank technology company grounded in clear ownership, thoughtful decisions, and a strong sense of responsibility to our customers and another.

We’re known for a people-first culture where employees are trusted to think, contribute, and own meaningful work. You won’t be a number here. You’ll be part of a team that values transparency, respect, and accountability — and that isn’t afraid to work through hard problems together. Expectations are high, but support is real.

Smiley is a place where work is purposeful, collaboration matters, and growth is intentional and sustainable. We value direct, respectful feedback and encourage people to build strong careers while maintaining full lives outside of work.

We work hard, take pride in what we do, and genuinely enjoy the people we work with. If you’re looking for a role where your judgment matters and your contribution is valued, Smiley may be the right fit.

Summary

The Product Manager - Loans is responsible for planning, design, and delivery of loan-related products, enhancements, and initiatives throughout the product lifecycle. This role serves as the bridge between customer needs, banking operations, compliance requirements, and technical execution. 

The Product Manager works closely with client banks, internal stakeholders, development teams, vendors, and regulatory partners to identify opportunities, define requirements, prioritize enhancements, and ensure successful testing and implementation of solutions that support lending operations and business objectives. 

This position requires a strong background in banking, preferably in loan administration, loan operations, servicing, or compliance, paired with the ability to translate complex business requirements into actionable technical deliverables for engineering teams. Product ownership begins at the time of assignment and continues through development, testing, implementation, training, and support.  

Responsibilities

Product Ownership & Strategy 

• Owns assigned lending products and initiatives from concept through implementation and support. 

• Gathers, documents, and prioritizes business requirements for new features, enhancements, and strategic initiatives. 

• Works with customers and internal stakeholders to identify opportunities for product improvement and innovation. 

• Participates in product roadmap planning and prioritization activities. 

• Evaluates customer feedback, market trends, and regulatory changes that may impact product direction. 
  Banking & Industry Expertise 

• Serves as a subject matter expert for loan operations, servicing, administration, and compliance-related topics. 

• Maintains awareness of lending regulations, industry trends, and banking best practices. 

• Collaborates with external partners, vendors, and financial institutions to support product initiatives and industry alignment. 

• Ensures product decisions consider operational efficiency, user experience, and regulatory compliance requirements. 
  Technical Execution 

• Translates customer needs and business objectives into detailed functional and technical requirements. 

• Works closely with engineering teams to define Minimum Viable Products (MVPs), user stories, workflows, and acceptance criteria. 

• Participates in API discussions, integration planning, and solution design efforts. 

• Supports prioritization decisions by balancing customer value, business impact, technical complexity, and resource constraints. 

• Assists in troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, and issue resolution for assigned products. 
  Testing, Documentation & Delivery 

• Coordinates and participates in solution testing, including functional, integration, regression, and user acceptance testing. 

• Develops and maintains test plan, implementation documentation, and training materials. 

• Supports release readiness activities and ensures successful product deployments. 

• Works with internal teams to create release notes, support materials, and customer communication plans. 
  Cross-Functional Collaboration 

• Communicates effectively with customers, executives, developers, support teams, and implementation staff. 

• Facilitates discussions across technical and non-technical audiences. 

• Provides regular project updates, identifies risks, and escalates issues when appropriate. 

• Influences outcomes and drives alignment across multiple teams without direct authority. 
  Additional Responsibilities 

• Participates in customer meetings, product demonstrations, training sessions, and industry events as needed. 

• Supports conversion, implementation, and integration efforts related to lending products. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.