MRU's Product Management Extension Certificate designed to meet growing demand across industries

As more organizations across Canada prioritize innovation, customer experience and operational efficiency, the role of product management is moving to the forefront. In response, Mount Royal University, in partnership with York University's School of Continuing Studies, has introduced the Product Management Extension Certificate to its program offerings to meet the rising demand for professionals with the skills to turn ideas into market-ready solutions. 

Offered entirely online and designed for working adults, the certificate program aims to fill a critical talent gap not only in tech, but in industries as varied as healthcare, finance, transportation, energy and government services.

Roti Akinsanmi, an experienced product leader who is an instructor in Mount Royal’s Faculty of Continuing Education and Extension and a long-time advocate for product education at Mount Royal, was instrumental in bringing attention to the need for this type of program in the region. 

“Product management isn’t just a tech function. It’s a core capability in any organization that delivers services or solutions to customers,” says Akinsanmi. “It’s about identifying the right problems to solve and delivering solutions that truly meet those needs at the right time for the right audience.”

Akinsanmi, who has spent more than a decade leading product teams at high-growth companies, notes that product management sits at the intersection of customer insight, business strategy and execution.

From credit cards and insurance platforms to smart energy dashboards and public service portals, product managers are responsible for guiding the development and evolution of products that meet business goals and user expectations. This work is increasingly visible even in sectors not traditionally associated with digital innovation. Companies like Suncor Energy and Enbridge now employ product teams to manage tools that support field operations, customer energy tracking, and digital safety platforms. TC Energy is also embracing product thinking, applying it to areas such as pipeline monitoring systems, internal digital platforms, and stakeholder communication tools.

The demand for product management professionals is growing quickly. According to job search data from Indeed Canada, postings for product management roles are up 38 percent since 2022. Yet, until now, pathways into the profession have remained limited, particularly outside of major centres like Toronto and Vancouver.

“There’s been a gap in Western Canada for this kind of training,” Akinsanmi says. “We’re seeing startups emerge, innovation units grow inside established companies and more emphasis placed on evidence-based decision-making. But many professionals don’t have a clear path into product roles.”

The Product Management Extension Certificate is intended to change that. The non-credit program focuses on practical, industry-relevant skills. Students will learn to apply a product mindset to real-world problems across a range of industries. Through a blend of business strategy, user experience (UX) design and agile project management, learners will explore the entire product management lifecycle from customer discovery and competitive analysis to data analytics and roadmap development..

The program is especially suited to

• Professionals transitioning from business analysis, marketing, operations, or project management;
• Entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to better align their offerings with market needs; and,
• Employees in product-adjacent roles who want to formalize their skills and advance their careers.

According to Glassdoor, the average product manager in Canada can earn six figures annually, with many progressing into senior leadership roles. Companies across sectors — from RBC and Loblaws to Air Canada, Alberta Health Services, Canadian Tire, and Service Canada — are applying product management to improve user experiences, streamline operations and deliver services more effectively.

One of the field’s key attractions, Akinsanmi says, is its accessibility.

“You don’t need to have a tech background to be a great product manager. You need empathy, curiosity and the ability to connect the dots between user needs and business priorities,” he explains. “In fact, people with strong backgrounds in sectors like healthcare, logistics, telecommunications or energy are often ideal candidates who bring valuable domain expertise.”

The product management program also aligns with Calgary’s broader economic evolution. The city is now being recognized as one of North America’s fastest growing tech talent markets. Homegrown ventures like Neo Financial, Symend and Scovan Engineering are drawing attention and investment, while established employers are modernizing their offerings through digital product development and service innovation.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” Akinsanmi says. “This program helps unlock that talent and gives people the skills and language to contribute meaningfully to innovation, whether at a bank, a startup, a hospital, a government agency or a global energy company.”

To learn more or register, visit mru.ca/ProductManagement