Partnering with women-in-tech groups, universities, women-focused recruiters, non-profits, and remote work platforms, while supporting mentorship, diversity initiatives, and early STEM outreach, broadens access to female product managers and builds a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline.
What Collaborative Partnerships Can Help Bridge the Gender Gap in Product Management Recruitment?
AdminPartnering with women-in-tech groups, universities, women-focused recruiters, non-profits, and remote work platforms, while supporting mentorship, diversity initiatives, and early STEM outreach, broadens access to female product managers and builds a stronger, more diverse talent pipeline.
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Strategies for Hiring Women in Product Management
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Partnerships with Women-in-Tech Associations
Collaborating with organizations like Women in Product, AnitaB.org, and Girls in Tech can widen access to diverse talent pools. These associations often offer networking events, mentorship programs, and candidate databases, giving companies greater exposure to qualified women in product management.
University Outreach and Talent Pipelines
Forging partnerships with universities, especially those with strong women-focused STEM initiatives, helps cultivate and recruit female talent early. Sponsoring hackathons, career fairs, or guest lectures can inspire more women students to consider and prepare for product management roles.
Collaboration with Women-Focused Recruiting Agencies
Specialized recruiting firms such as Hire Her, The Mom Project, or PowerToFly focus on placing women in technology and leadership roles. Working with these agencies can streamline the process of sourcing and engaging experienced women product managers.
Cross-Industry Diversity Initiatives
Engaging in industry-wide collaborations—such as the 50/50 Women on Boards or the Tech Talent Charter—provides access to shared resources, best practices, and joint recruitment events designed to address gender imbalances in product management roles across sectors.
Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs with Non-Profits
Partnering with non-profits like Girl Develop It, She Geeks Out, or Lean In helps build mentorship pipelines, connecting aspiring women product managers with seasoned professionals for guidance, career development opportunities, and referrals.
Joint Internship and Returnship Programs
Collaborating with other companies or platforms on internship or returnship programs (e.g., Path Forward) targets women re-entering the workforce or transitioning from other fields. These structured programs help women gain relevant experience and build networks within product management.
Collaboration with Professional Training Providers
Aligning with organizations offering product management bootcamps, such as General Assembly or Product School, especially those emphasizing diversity scholarships, can introduce more women to the discipline and support their job placement with partner companies.
Employee Resource Groups ERGs and Inter-Company Networks
Partnering with or supporting ERGs like Women@Product within several organizations fosters knowledge sharing, mentorship, and internal mobility. Inter-company forums can also facilitate cross-company recruitment drives and best practice sharing.
Partnerships with Remote Work Platforms Focused on Women
Collaborating with platforms like Remote Woman or SheWorks! helps companies source experienced women who seek flexible or remote roles, which can be crucial for attracting women who value work-life balance in product management positions.
Involvement in STEM Outreach at Early Education Levels
Supporting and partnering with programs like Girls Who Code or Technovation Challenge helps demystify tech and product careers for girls starting as early as elementary and high school. This proactive approach nurtures a future pipeline of talented women interested in product management.
What else to take into account
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