Director, Strategic Product Initiatives

Overview

The Director of Product Management is responsible for overseeing the development and success of a company's portfolio of products. They are responsible for setting the strategic vision and roadmap for the product portfolio, ensuring alignment with business goals and customer needs.  

This role requires strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of the market, and the ability to drive product strategy and execution.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 
•    Define Product Strategy and Roadmap: Develop and communicate the product vision and strategy based on market trends, customer feedback, and business objectives.
•    Manage Product Lifecycle: Oversee the entire product lifecycle and product strategy, from inception, through launch, adoption, maturity and end of life. 
•    Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work closely with engineering, sales, marketing, and support teams to ensure successful product development and launch.
•    Conduct Market Research: Analyze market trends and customer needs to identify new product opportunities and enhancements to existing products.
•    Set and Monitor KPIs: Establish key performance indicators to measure product success and make data-driven decisions.
•    Financial Management: Evaluate financial aspects of product development, including budgets, expenditures, and return-on-investment (ROI).
•    Customer Engagement: Engage with customers to gather feedback and ensure products meet their needs and expectations. Represent Product Management by supporting customer meetings, demonstrations, and knowledge sharing activities to drive adoption of key products and ensure that the Product Roadmap aligns with customers’ needs – this is a customer facing role
•    Leadership and Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of product managers, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.

Requirements

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 
•    Proven track record of leading product management roles and responsibilities in a corporate environment, including strategic planning and analysis and lifecycle management
•    Ability to work in a matrix environment and communicate effectively to financial and non-financial audiences at all levels of the organization
•    High level of business maturity to represent the Product Management team in leadership discussions
•    Excellent written, verbal, and face to face communication skills, both technical and non-technical
•    Engage with customers to gather feedback and ensure products meet their needs and expectations
•    Establish key performance indicators to measure product success and make data-driven decisions
•    Analyze market trends and customer needs to identify new product opportunities and enhancements to existing products
•    Act as the product champion; define Product vision, product outcomes, drive innovation and align stakeholders around the vision for the product
•    Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, and the Systems business unit to develop business plans, go-to-market strategy, define pricing and offering expertise in market analysis, competitive positioning, key benefits, and identify target market & customers.
•    Experience in and able to inspire, manage change, and drive product management function
•    Strong project management, organizational and management skills, including ability to manage and prioritize multiple competing initiatives with aggressive multi-project schedule
•    Create structure and definition around uncertain, complex, and/or ambiguous business problems 
•    Performance driven, detail and results oriented
•    Advanced competency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and PowerPoint)

PREFERRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 
•    Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree preferred
•    Experience: 10+ years of experience in product management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role
•    Skills: Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and analytical skills. Excellent communication and collaboration abilities. Proficiency in product management tools and methodologies
•    Preferred experience in gaming industry

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS (IF APPLICABLE):
•    Sitting: Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
•    Standing and Walking: Occasionally required to stand and walk short distances within the office.
•    Lifting and Carrying: Occasionally required to lift and carry items up to 25 pounds.
•    Reaching and Handling: Frequent use of hands and arms to operate office equipment, handle documents, and reach for items.
•    Travel as required to perform the duties and responsibilities, including attending meetings, conferences, and customer visits.

Keys to Success

• Building collaborative relationships
• Decision making
• Drive results
• Foster innovation
• Personal energy
• Self-leadership