The Head of Product is often at the forefront of leading cross-functional teams, which includes working with marketing, design, development, and customer support teams. Coordination between these departments is vital to ensure seamless workflow and communication. Embarking on a career as a head of product involves a combination of education, skills development, and practical experience. By strategically thinking, a head of product can remove roadblocks and ensure an efficient workflow.

What Does the Head of Product Do?

The Head of Product is usually one level below the CPO and is responsible for implementing the product strategy across the organization. While the Head of Product may still have some strategic responsibilities, in this coexisting setup their role is more focused on executing the product roadmap and managing the product team. The Head of Product is the person responsible for leading the product team and ensuring that the company’s product vision is executed effectively.

Head of Product: A Guide for Product Managers Eyeing the Top

They must regularly assess the market landscape, analyze competitor strategies, and leverage insights to make informed decisions about product direction. The Head of Product Management also works very closely with the engineering department, design, sales, marketing, and other departments to deliver the business’s product into the market. The Chief Product Officer (CPO) or the head of product is the person in charge of managing all product-corresponding tasks in any organization to achieve institutional goals. “At the heart of every product person, there’s a desire to make someone’s life easier or simpler. If we listen to the customer and give them what they need, they’ll reciprocate with love and loyalty to your brand. ” These words were famously said by Francis Brown, a product development manager at Alaska Airlines, and they encapsulate the essence of what it means to be the head of the product department.

most important head of product skills

• Previously, Beattie served as the Head of Product Strategy at Charles River Development, where he was responsible for product strategy & global partnerships.
• Whether it’s driving business growth or enhancing customer satisfaction, every product decision should be data-driven and strategically sound.
• Becoming a successful head of product requires dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach to developing relevant skills.
• Product development is a collaborative effort that requires close coordination with engineering teams.
• The Head of Product Management will also be required to regularly make presentations to the Director of Product Management as well as Stakeholders.
• However, in other organizations, these roles may not coexist, and the title used simply reflects the company’s structure.

A successful head of product must be comfortable dealing with a bit of uncertainty. The everyday workload will vary, and you need to be able to manage problems as they arise. A successful head of product will have the ability to prioritize based on what’s important at the moment. The following hard and soft skills will help the head of product meet their job requirements successfully. Strategic decision-making is another essential aspect of the Head of Product role.

Entrepreneurs and industry leaders share their best advice on how to take your company to the next level. For aspiring product professionals, the journey to becoming a Head of Product typically involves a combination of education, experience, and continuous professional development. To fully understand the scope of the Head of Product role, it is essential to delve deeper into the specific areas of responsibility that characterize the job description. Coinbase alumni Rob Witoff is re-joining the company as its new Head of Platform and member of the Executive Team. He will lead Coinbase’s platform, which powers the most trusted & easiest to use products in crypto. Rockandel brings a depth of Canadian capital markets experience to TMX Group, specializing in the global resources and mining sectors.

• A Head of Product not only contributes to the current product lineup but also identifies future opportunities, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth for the company.
• While at CRD he played a lead role in shaping the firm’s long term vision in global trading, front office technology, and expansion into new market segments.
• This skill helps in making informed decisions that align with market needs and business goals.
• A Director of Product operates similarly to a Head of Product but with a more focused scope.
• This requires a deep understanding of project management principles and the ability to keep the team focused and motivated.

But you also need to be able to communicate the value proposition to customers clearly. A head of product typically has a bachelor’s degree in business or a related field. They may also be experienced in the areas of marketing, communications and management. As the head of product, your primary function is to ensure the company’s products meet the needs of its customers.

A head of product focuses on aligning a company’s product strategy with the overall business strategy. These decisions often involve trade-offs and require balancing user needs with business objectives. Understanding when to innovate and when to iterate is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the market. Additionally, the Head of Product must develop key performance indicators (KPIs) Head of Product job to measure product success and ensure alignment with overall company goals. A head of product will talk with cross-functional teams to ensure they understand the product vision, expectations for their role, and are meeting goals.