Dealer.com
The Director Product Management is responsible for conception through end of life ownership for a specific product(s). The Director Product Management drives the overall decision-making process, manages impacts on deliverables or schedules of projects across all aspects of the product roadmap. The Director Product Management will work with both internal and external business constituents to determine the future direction of products. Works closely with the Go to Market team to develop a successful go-to-market strategy, helping understand the product positioning, key benefits and target customers. The Director Product Management works in conjunction with Product Strategy, Customer Experience, Product Delivery, and Product Training to ensure that each product has a strong strategy, supporting tactical plan, and effective execution for both product launches and day to day product enhancements. The Director Product Management serves as a thought leader and evangelist for KBB, Autotrader and Dealer.com product offerings.
- Lead (directly and/or by influence) product managers, application owners, UX designers and other partner stakeholders – providing guidance and direction to achieve the product vision
- Identify and address gaps and opportunities within different product suites
- Define and manage the product roadmap, setting and continuously managing the right expectations with all relevant stakeholders including the senior leadership team
- Define a successful go-to-strategy for product launches
- Partner with the Research and Insights team to understand market trends, market influencers, competitors and channels to market as a baseline for driving go to market plans, product priorities and innovation within the product team
- Provide vision and leadership, organizationally communicating priorities, accomplishments and challenges, across leadership and product team
- Provide thought leadership for the Product Management function, drive with rigor the product development process in a results oriented partnership model (a blend of team & results orientation)
- Work with Product Delivery and Product Strategy to make large contributions to product
- Determine business-case and feasibility for assigned product(s)
- Ensure products are within optimal price margins and up to specifications
Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and 10 years’ experience in a related field. The right candidate could also have a different combination, such as a master’s degree and 8 years’ experience; a Ph.D. and 5 years’ experience in a related field; or 14 years’ experience in a related field
- 5+ years’ experience in a management or leadership role
- 7-10+ years of proven experience in the development/ launching of products/services
- Extensive understanding of business
- Mix of technology (engineering, product management) and business (consulting, product marketing, sales, and channel) background is ideal
- Excellent instincts, strong business acumen, team leadership skills and experience to bring together diverse views
- Expert knowledge of product development life cycle (relevant experience in all phases).
- Previous management/leadership experience required
- Proven ability to manage portfolio of products
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Excellent written, verbal, presentation and demo skills required
- Travel Required (up to 15%)