Lead Product Manager
A Lead Product Manager is an expert individual contributor responsible for ensuring a product's value and viability within a product line. This role involves leading empowered, cross-functional product teams to solve complex customer problems that align with strategic business needs. The Lead Product Manager is accountable for the product's success, from vision to execution, and collaborates closely with various functions and stakeholders to deliver valuable, viable, usable, and feasible solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Accountability
- Responsible and accountable for the product's value and viability, including profit and loss
- Formulate and achieve Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for identified problems to solve
- Drive strategy-aligned solutions to achieve product profit and loss objectives
- Measure KPIs and analyze outcomes to inform future strategies
Vision and Strategy
Co-create, own, and evangelize the product vision, strategy, and roadmapAlign product objectives with the product line and business goalsCo-create in collaboration with business stakeholders, engineering, experience, and deliveryMarket and User Engagement
Conduct user research and competitive analysisEngage the team with users and stakeholders through continuous research and direct interactionsCollaborate and guide the team toward solutions that address priority user and business needsCollaboration and Teamwork
Work side-by-side with cross-functional (business, engineering, experience, and delivery) team members to achieve KPI outcomesPromote a product operating model that emphasizes outcomes over output (minimize overproduction while maximizing value)Build empowered teams and product communities who exhibit collective product ownershipContinuous Improvement
Remove obstacles for the team and ensure smooth flow of continuous value achievementPromote and drive rapid, emergent, and ongoing learning and adaptation to meet objectivesDrive innovation and improvement of the process to drive out waste and accelerate value achievementSpread knowledge and best practices within the product vertical communityQualifications
EducationBachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or a related fieldAn MBA or related advanced degree is beneficialExperience10+ years of proven experience in product management or related rolesExperience being accountable for value and viability results for an empowered product teamDemonstrated experience in modern product craft of delivering the right thing, in the right way, at the right timeProven accountability for value, viability, and P&L objectives for a productSkillsExpert analytical and problem-solving skillsExceptional communication and collaboration abilitiesAbility to influence at all organizational levels through inclusion and leadershipDetail-oriented, organized, and visionaryLearning-forward, experimental, and value-oriented mindsetCustomer-centric methods and practicesExpert in modern product management craft and domain (tools, methods, and practices)Ability to navigate complexity and uncertaintyDomain KnowledgeBroad knowledge across multiple business areasQuick to reach expert-level knowledge within the product domain being servedPersonal TraitsStrong leadership capabilitiesCustomer-centric mindsetAbility to work as an individual contributor in a collaborative, cross-functional teamBeliefs and MethodsHumble, curious, and learning-forward mindsetFavor small step action and evidence over detailed upfront planning and precision aimingExperience with lean solutions and rapid, inexpensive experimentation to emerge the right thing, in the right way, at the right timeHigh levels of continuous customer and user engagementLimited immigration sponsorship may be availableAbility to travel 0-20%, on average, based on the work you do and the clients and industries / sectors you serveCore CompetenciesAnalytical Skills : Ability to analyze data and derive actionable insightsProblem-Solving : Innovative and experimental approach to solving complex problemsCommunication : Clear and effective communication with team members, stakeholders, and customersLeadership : Ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration and collective movement toward product goalsCustomer-Centricity : Deep understanding of customer needs and engagement patterns, driving teams to deliver solutions that customers love and that work for the businessStrategic Thinking : Ability to develop and execute a strategic vision for the product, aligning it with broader business objectivesConclusionThe Lead Product Manager plays a crucial role in ensuring the success of our most strategic, complex products by balancing customer needs with business objectives. This role requires a blend of strategic vision, analytical skills, and collaborative teamwork to deliver valuable, viable, usable, and feasible solutions. It demands a high degree of experience and expertise in the modern product management craft and a drive for continuous improvement.