Sanford Health Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Sanford Health is one of the largest and fastest-growing not-for-profit health systems in the United States, dedicated to health and healing across its extensive network.

The Product Manager role at Sanford Health is pivotal in shaping and driving the digital experience across all public web properties. This position requires a strategic thinker who can manage the product roadmap, prioritize backlogs, and ensure alignment with cross-functional stakeholders, including engineers, designers, and business leaders. A successful Product Manager will embody the voice of the customer throughout the product development lifecycle, articulate the vision and strategy for digital products, and leverage data and analytics to inform decisions and improve performance. Candidates should possess strong experience in product management, preferably within the healthcare sector, and demonstrate proficiency in agile development methodologies. A deep understanding of the software development lifecycle, along with the ability to navigate trade-offs and ensure cross-product alignment, is essential for success in this role.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to excel during your interview process by highlighting the key competencies and expectations relevant to the Product Manager role at Sanford Health.

The interview process for a Product Manager at Sanford Health is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's mission and values.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The process begins with a brief phone screening, typically lasting around 3 to 10 minutes, conducted by a recruiter or HR representative. This initial conversation focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Sanford Health. It serves as an opportunity for the recruiter to gauge your fit for the role and the organization’s culture.

2. Video Interview

Following the phone screening, candidates are invited to participate in a video interview, often conducted via platforms like Webex. This interview usually involves multiple team members and focuses on behavioral questions, assessing how your skills and experiences align with the responsibilities of the Product Manager role. Expect discussions around your previous product management experiences, your approach to stakeholder engagement, and how you prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

3. In-Person Interview

The final stage of the interview process is an in-person interview, which typically lasts between 45 minutes to an hour. During this session, candidates meet with key stakeholders, including potential team members and management. This interview dives deeper into your product management philosophy, your understanding of the healthcare industry, and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. You may also be asked to present your thoughts on specific product strategies or challenges relevant to Sanford Health.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to ask questions about the role, team dynamics, and the company’s future direction, as this demonstrates your genuine interest in the position and the organization.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise based on the experiences shared by previous candidates.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Mission and Values

Sanford Health is dedicated to health and healing, and as a Product Manager, you will need to align your vision with this mission. Familiarize yourself with the organization's core values and how they translate into the digital products you will manage. Be prepared to discuss how your work can contribute to improving patient experiences and outcomes, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The interview process at Sanford often includes behavioral questions that assess your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Think of specific examples where you demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration, especially in cross-functional teams. Highlight experiences that showcase your ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects effectively.

Showcase Your Product Management Skills

Given the emphasis on product metrics and strategy, be ready to discuss your experience in developing product roadmaps, managing backlogs, and defining key performance indicators (KPIs). Illustrate your understanding of the product lifecycle and how you have successfully navigated challenges in previous roles. If you have experience in the healthcare industry, make sure to highlight it, as it will be a significant advantage.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

As a Product Manager, you will be the bridge between various stakeholders, including clinicians, technical teams, and business leaders. Prepare to discuss how you have effectively communicated complex ideas and facilitated collaboration among diverse groups. Share examples of how you have gathered feedback and iterated on product features based on user insights.

Be Ready to Discuss Agile Methodologies

Sanford Health values experience with agile development methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your familiarity with agile practices, such as sprint planning, retrospectives, and user stories. If you have led agile teams or participated in agile transformations, share those experiences to demonstrate your capability in this area.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to inquire about the team dynamics, the product development process, and how success is measured within the organization. Asking thoughtful questions not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.

Be Mindful of the Environment

Some candidates have noted a less-than-ideal atmosphere during interviews. Approach the interview with professionalism and positivity, regardless of the setting. Your demeanor can set the tone for the conversation and help you stand out as a candidate who is adaptable and focused on the task at hand.

Follow Up Professionally

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention a key point from the discussion that reinforces your fit for the position. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to navigate the interview process at Sanford Health and showcase your qualifications as a Product Manager. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Sanford Health. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your understanding of digital products, and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your approach to product strategy, user experience, and how you prioritize tasks to drive business value.

Product Management Experience

1. Describe your experience with product management and how it relates to the healthcare industry.

This question aims to assess your background in product management and your understanding of the healthcare sector.

How to Answer

Highlight your relevant experience in product management, particularly in healthcare. Discuss specific projects where you contributed to product strategy and user experience.

Example

“I have over three years of experience in product management, specifically in the healthcare sector. In my previous role, I led a team to develop a patient engagement app that improved communication between patients and healthcare providers, resulting in a 20% increase in patient satisfaction scores.”

2. How do you prioritize features in a product backlog?

This question evaluates your ability to manage competing demands and prioritize effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or methodologies you use, such as the MoSCoW method or RICE scoring.

Example

“I prioritize features in the product backlog by assessing their impact on user experience and business goals. I use the RICE scoring model to evaluate reach, impact, confidence, and effort, which helps me make data-driven decisions on what to prioritize for development.”

3. Can you give an example of a time you had to manage conflicting stakeholder interests?

This question tests your conflict resolution and communication skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you successfully navigated conflicting interests among stakeholders, emphasizing your communication and negotiation skills.

Example

“In a previous project, the marketing team wanted to launch a feature quickly, while the engineering team raised concerns about its feasibility. I facilitated a meeting where both sides could express their concerns, and we ultimately agreed on a phased approach that allowed for a quicker launch while ensuring quality.”

4. What metrics do you consider when evaluating the success of a digital product?

This question assesses your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to product management.

How to Answer

Discuss the specific metrics you track, such as user engagement, conversion rates, and customer satisfaction, and explain why they are important.

Example

“I focus on metrics like user engagement, retention rates, and Net Promoter Score (NPS) to evaluate a product's success. For instance, after launching a new feature, I monitor user engagement to ensure it meets our goals and gather feedback through NPS surveys to understand user satisfaction.”

Collaboration and Communication

5. How do you ensure effective communication with cross-functional teams?

This question evaluates your collaboration skills and ability to work with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Explain your strategies for maintaining clear communication and collaboration among different teams, such as regular meetings or collaborative tools.

Example

“I ensure effective communication by scheduling regular check-ins with cross-functional teams and using collaborative tools like Slack and Trello. This keeps everyone aligned on project goals and timelines, and I encourage open dialogue to address any concerns promptly.”

6. Describe a time when you had to gather user feedback for a product. What was your approach?

This question assesses your user-centered design approach and ability to incorporate feedback into product development.

How to Answer

Detail your process for gathering user feedback, including methods like surveys, interviews, or usability testing, and how you used that feedback to inform product decisions.

Example

“I conducted user interviews and usability testing sessions for a new feature we were developing. I created a structured survey to gather quantitative data and followed up with qualitative interviews to dive deeper into user experiences. The insights we gained directly influenced our design decisions and improved the overall user experience.”

7. How do you stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and staying relevant in the field.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as industry publications, webinars, or networking events.

Example

“I stay updated on industry trends by subscribing to healthcare technology newsletters, attending webinars, and participating in local product management meetups. This helps me understand emerging technologies and best practices that I can apply to my work.”

Strategic Thinking

8. What is your approach to developing a product roadmap?

This question assesses your strategic planning skills and ability to align product goals with business objectives.

How to Answer

Explain your process for creating a product roadmap, including how you gather input from stakeholders and prioritize initiatives.

Example

“I develop a product roadmap by first aligning with stakeholders on business objectives and user needs. I gather input through workshops and surveys, then prioritize initiatives based on their potential impact and feasibility. This ensures that our roadmap reflects both user needs and business goals.”

9. How do you handle changes in project scope or unexpected challenges?

This question evaluates your adaptability and problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to managing scope changes, including how you communicate with stakeholders and adjust plans accordingly.

Example

“When faced with changes in project scope, I assess the impact on timelines and resources. I communicate transparently with stakeholders about the implications and work collaboratively to adjust our plans, ensuring we remain focused on delivering value.”

10. What do you believe is the most important aspect of a digital product manager's role?

This question assesses your understanding of the role and its impact on the organization.

How to Answer

Articulate your perspective on the key responsibilities of a digital product manager, emphasizing the importance of user advocacy and strategic alignment.

Example

“I believe the most important aspect of a digital product manager's role is to be the voice of the customer. By understanding user needs and aligning them with business objectives, I can ensure that we create products that not only meet market demands but also drive meaningful outcomes for the organization.”