Description:
The Product Director (PD) is responsible for either a specific larger product line or several smaller product lines, is the internal representative for the “Voice of the Customer” while externally is the “Face of the Product.” The PD must ensure the needs of the customer are represented and incorporated into products while keeping product direction aligned with Corporate and Business needs and strategic plans. Proactively anticipates customer and business needs and incorporates those needs into proper product plans. The PD handles a scope of responsibilities that span product strategy and vision via product marketing and customer interaction to be the ultimate product champion and owner. As the product owner, the PD is accountable for ensuring that output from the various internal support groups meet the market requirements first set forth from product management.
This position will maintain a very tight unified relationship with the associated Technical Product Director and close collaborative relationships with internal groups such as National directors, marketing, sales and education, training and support
- Product Strategies
- Business Development
- Product Management
Key Responsibilities
Responsibility #1– 40%
Product Marketing Strategy
- Be the Owner of product Positioning and Effectiveness where applicable.
- Discover and validate market definition, problems and opportunities by engaging existing customers, potential prospects and internal stakeholders.
- Understand and know the competitive landscape, definition and size of market segments and how the corporation can thrive in that environment.
- Seek new product and market opportunities by leveraging the corporate distinctive competence and understanding market definition and problems.
- Accountable for product Innovation, Future Vision, product Roadmaps and cross-functional vision while ensuring alignment with the enterprise portfolio and corporate strategic vision.
- Develop and execute with the Technical Product Director and report key performance metrics to the Leadership team.
- Compile and present recommendations to Leadership for approval in alignment with business strategies.
- In concert with TPD Prioritize product backlog and identify milestones based on market opportunity and corporate strategic plans.
- Accountable for the creation of product launch plans and execution of customer education and training in cooperation with product marketing and training teams.
- Create and own the Business Plan and Business Capabilities (Market Requirement) Documents.
- In combination with Marketing:
- Create required marketing plans.
- Create feature documentation and collaterals.
Responsibility #2 – 30%
Product Liaison
- Understanding and articulating the “Voice of the Customer” in all discussions.
- Owning the customer Buyer Personas, and User Personas.
- Externally is the ultimate “Face of the Product” to customers, at meetings and with external groups.
- Coordinate Product Release with Sales and Marketing team members.
- Directly manage and oversee Work Groups, User Groups with assistance from TPD.
- Accountable for Beta process and beta users with assistance from TPD.
- Accountable for final storyboard and wire frames for products in cooperation with User Experience.
- Create and execute product messaging.
Responsibility #3 – 15%
Sales Support
- Identify new revenue sources and work with Sales to exploit those sources
- In combination with Sales:
- Execute Win/Loss analysis.
- Attend sales presentations and demos when necessary.
- Seek new product opportunity and market intelligence.
Responsibility #4 – 10%
Product Communications
- Accountable that proper internal and external product communications exist to all customers and corporate stakeholders.
Responsibility #5 – 5%
Financials
- In cooperation with the TPD, develop, manage, and monitor budget.
Required Qualifications
Work Experience:
Years of Applicable Experience - 7 or more years
Education:
Bachelors (Required)
Skills:
- Product/Portfolio management
- User experience, product positioning and effectiveness
- Program Management
- Agile Portfolio experience
Experience:
- Experience in a technology environment
- Software Development lifecycle experience