Associate Director, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Director, Product Strategy

Company: Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V (Razorfish)

Location: Miami, Florida, United States; Atlanta, Georgia, United States; Birmingham, Michigan, United States

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations / GTM Strategy

Date Posted: June 26, 2026

Experience Level: 7-9+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote Options Available

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the transformation from project-centric delivery to a product-centric operating model, emphasizing speed, quality, and demonstrable business value.

• Drive product roadmaps within an agile and data-driven framework, ensuring that product development relentlessly focuses on superior business outcomes for clients and enhanced customer experiences.

• Lead and mentor high-performance, cross-functional teams including CX/UX designers, developers, and senior management to guide products from conception through to successful launch and enhancement.

• Cultivate a deep understanding of client organizations' strategic goals, competitive landscapes, and market differentiation to inform and shape product strategies.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Associate Director, Product Strategy," the responsibilities heavily lean into product operations and GTM strategy execution. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking, agile product management, and operational oversight to ensure successful product delivery and business impact. This is not purely a strategy role but one that requires hands-on execution and team leadership within a product development lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Champion the strategic shift from output-based (projects) to outcome-based (products) delivery, embedding a product-first mindset characterized by speed, quality, and value realization.

• Develop comprehensive knowledge of client organizational objectives, competitive positioning, and unique market differentiators to inform product strategy and roadmap development.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and client teams to conceptualize new product ideas, drawing insights from thorough industry and market trend analyses.

• Assume Product Ownership responsibilities, encompassing problem definition, opportunity shaping, backlog management, oversight of development stages, and planning for pilot programs and full-scale rollouts.

• Implement continuous learning loops and data-driven decision-making processes throughout the product lifecycle to optimize product performance and operational efficiency.

• Analyze customer feedback, usage data, and market intelligence to identify critical issues and opportunities for product enhancement and strategic adjustments.

• Foster a strong product thinking culture and mindset across teams by leveraging data-driven decision-making frameworks and adopting test-and-learn methodologies.

• Formulate and test hypotheses in partnership with Customer Research teams, generating objective evidence and utilizing data-driven tools to validate product direction.

• Establish and manage a robust prioritization model, grounded in organizational market differentiation and strategic themes, to rank features, user stories, technology enablers, processes, and policies based on customer needs, economic viability, and strategic impact.

• Translate customer and user needs into clearly defined feature requirements, detailed user stories, and precise acceptance criteria to guide development efforts.

• Prioritize the program and team backlog, assessing and ranking items based on their potential customer and business value.

• Partner effectively with cross-functional team members, including Engineering, Design, Data Science, Marketing, and Operations, throughout the design, development, and testing phases, utilizing integrated fast-learning cycles.

• Monitor and report on product performance against established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), providing insights and recommendations for optimization.

• Build and maintain alignment across product teams, cross-functional partners, and leadership/executive teams, ensuring consistent communication and collaboration to support the product vision and business requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a need for experience in driving organizational change and managing complex product lifecycles within a client-facing agency environment. The emphasis on transforming "outputs to outcomes" and fostering a "product mindset" suggests a focus on driving measurable business impact and operational efficiency through product development.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business, Marketing, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline is typically expected for this level. An advanced degree (MBA or Master's in a relevant field) may be advantageous.

Experience: 7-9+ years of progressive experience in strategy, product management, or related roles, with a proven track record of successfully launching and scaling products. Experience within a consulting or agency environment serving external clients is highly valued.

Required Skills:

• Proven experience in Product Strategy development and execution, including market analysis, competitive intelligence, and strategic planning.

• Deep understanding and practical application of Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and Lean Principles in product development.

• Expertise in Product Ownership responsibilities, including backlog grooming, user story creation, sprint planning, and release management.

• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize product roadmaps, aligning them with business objectives and customer needs.

• Strong experience in Cross-functional Team Leadership, effectively motivating and guiding diverse teams (Engineering, Design, Marketing, Analytics, Data Science).

• Proficiency in Stakeholder Management, building consensus and communicating effectively with internal teams, leadership, and external clients.

• Experience in Data Analysis and leveraging analytics tools to derive actionable insights, drive decision-making, and measure product performance.

• Familiarity with Design Thinking principles and tools, such as customer journey mapping and service design, to enhance user experience.

• Knowledge of Lean-Agile Transformation Frameworks like Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).

• Excellent Presentation and Communication Skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively to various audiences.

• Demonstrated Entrepreneurial Drive and ability to achieve ambitious goals in fast-paced, innovative environments.

• Track record of managing product roadmaps, writing clear product requirement documents, and collaborating on product design.

• Experience working within a cross-cultural, geographically distributed team environment. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Customer Journey Mapping and Service Design methodologies.

• Familiarity with User Experience (UX) and Customer Experience (CX) best practices.

• Knowledge of Data Science concepts and applications in product development.

• Experience with Market Differentiation strategies and their application to product positioning.

• Proficiency in implementing and monitoring KPIs/OKRs for product success.

• Experience with Test-and-Learn methodologies and A/B testing.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 7-9+ years is crucial for an Associate Director level role, indicating a need for significant autonomy and leadership. The emphasis on both strategy and execution, coupled with client-facing responsibilities, suggests a candidate who can operate strategically while also diving into operational details.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy & Roadmap Examples: Showcase examples of developed product strategies, market analyses, and product roadmaps. Highlight how these were aligned with specific business objectives and target market needs.

• Outcome-Driven Case Studies: Present case studies detailing how you transformed project outputs into measurable product outcomes. Quantify the business impact, ROI, or efficiency gains achieved.

• Agile/Lean Workflow Demonstrations: Include examples of how you have managed backlogs, prioritized user stories, and facilitated agile ceremonies. Demonstrate your understanding of iterative development and fast learning cycles.

• System Implementation & Optimization: Provide evidence of experience with implementing or optimizing product-related systems, processes, or technologies that enhanced efficiency or user experience.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Illustrate instances where data analysis directly informed product decisions, feature prioritization, or strategy adjustments. Showcase your ability to use analytics for objective evidence.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Document examples of designed or optimized workflows for product development, from ideation and requirements gathering through to launch and post-launch analysis.

• Implementation & Automation: Detail processes you've implemented or improved, particularly those involving automation, to enhance efficiency, data flow, or team collaboration within a product context.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Demonstrate how you've established metrics, tracked product performance against KPIs/OKRs, and conducted post-launch analysis to inform future iterations and operational improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on product strategy and operations within an agency, a portfolio is critical. It should not only showcase strategic thinking but also the practical application of agile methodologies, data analysis, and the ability to drive tangible business results for clients. Demonstrating a transition from project thinking to product thinking will be key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: USD $106,780 - $146,100 Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Employee Assistance Programs, and Health/Wellness/Comfort reimbursements.

• Family Support: Paid Family Care (12+ weeks), and monetary assistance for Adoption, Surrogacy, Fertility, and Pet Adoption.

• Professional Development: Tuition Assistance, opportunities to attend industry conferences, and access to learning resources.

• Work-Life Integration: Flexible Time Off (Vacation, Sick Days, Volunteer Days, Holiday & Identity Days), Flexible Working Arrangements, and the 'Work Your World' Program (up to 6 weeks remote work from any Publicis office globally).

• Financial Future: 401k plan with matching gifts programs.

• Employee Resource Groups: Support for multiple affinities and alliances.

• Other: Disability coverage.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (standard full-time). The company offers flexible working arrangements and the 'Work Your World' program, suggesting a degree of flexibility in how and where work is completed.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is for the US market. Publicis Groupe is a large global organization, and compensation can vary significantly by region. The benefits package is extensive and reflects a commitment to employee well-being, professional growth, and work-life balance, which are attractive to operations and strategy professionals. The "Work Your World" program offers significant flexibility.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Advertising & Marketing Services / Digital Transformation / Consulting. Publicis Groupe is a global leader in communications, offering a wide range of services including digital transformation, marketing, advertising, and technology. Razorfish, as part of Publicis Sapient, is a digital transformation agency focused on creating unforgettable experiences.

Company Size: Publicis Groupe is a large global corporation, employing over 100,000 people worldwide. Razorfish operates within this structure, likely maintaining a significant but specialized team size within the larger organization. This means access to vast resources and global networks, balanced with the need to maintain agility within specific practice areas.

Founded: Publicis Groupe was founded in 1926. Razorfish has a long history in the digital space, having been a pioneer in internet marketing. This long-standing presence suggests a culture that values experience, adaptation, and sustained innovation.

Team Structure:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role explicitly mentions partnering with Engineering, Design, Data Science, Marketing, and Operations. This indicates a highly collaborative team structure where product strategy is developed and executed through integrated, multidisciplinary teams.

• Matrixed Organization: The company operates in a matrix organization, meaning team members may report to multiple leaders. This requires strong communication, negotiation, and alignment skills.

• Client-Centric Focus: As a digital transformation agency, the teams are structured to serve clients, implying a strong focus on client success, relationship management, and delivering tangible business value.

Methodology:

• Agile & Lean Principles: The job description emphasizes Agile, Lean, Design Thinking, and test-and-learn approaches, indicating a commitment to iterative development, rapid feedback, and data-driven decision-making.

• Outcome-Oriented: There's a clear directive to transform from "outputs (projects) to outcomes (products)," meaning the focus is on achieving strategic business goals and customer impact rather than just delivering deliverables.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role requires harnessing data analysis and leveraging analytics tools to generate objective evidence and inform all aspects of product strategy and execution.

Company Website: https://www.publicisgroupe.com/ and https://www.razorfish.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Publicis Groupe's scale offers stability and broad opportunities, while Razorfish's specialization in digital transformation suggests a dynamic, forward-thinking environment. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and agile methodologies is typical for modern digital agencies focused on delivering complex solutions.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Associate Director. This level typically signifies a mid-to-senior management role, requiring significant experience and the ability to lead complex initiatives and teams. It bridges the gap between individual contributor roles and senior leadership, often involving strategic input, operational oversight, and team mentorship. For this role, it means driving product strategy and execution with substantial autonomy and impact.

Reporting Structure: The role involves partnering with various cross-functional teams (Engineering, Design, Data Science, Marketing, Operations) and leadership/executive teams. The specific reporting manager is not detailed, but it's likely a Director or VP level within Product, Strategy, or a related digital transformation practice. The emphasis on building alignment suggests influencing across organizational lines.

Operations Impact: The primary impact of this role is driving significant business outcomes for clients through successful product strategy and execution. This includes enhancing customer experience, increasing market differentiation, optimizing operational efficiency, and directly contributing to revenue growth for both the client and Razorfish/Publicis Groupe. The shift from "outputs to outcomes" highlights a focus on measurable business impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership in Product/Strategy: Progression to Director or VP roles in Product Strategy, Product Management, or Digital Transformation within Razorfish or Publicis Groupe.

• Specialization Advancement: Deepening expertise in specific areas like product-led growth, platform strategy, or emerging technologies.

• Client Relationship Management: Developing into a key client advisor or practice lead, managing larger accounts and more complex engagements.

• Operational Excellence Leadership: Leading initiatives to further refine and scale product operations and agile methodologies across the organization.

• Cross-Disciplinary Development: Gaining broader experience across marketing, technology, and business strategy through diverse client projects.

📝 Enhancement Note: An Associate Director role at a large agency like Publicis Groupe offers substantial growth potential. The combination of strategic leadership, operational execution, and client-facing responsibilities provides a robust foundation for career advancement within the broader marketing and technology consulting landscape.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting lists multiple US locations (Miami, FL; Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, MI) and implies a hybrid or remote-friendly work environment, especially with the "Work Your World" program. This suggests a modern office setup designed for collaboration, client presentations, and potentially flexible work arrangements for employees.

Office Location(s):

• Miami, Florida (2911 Grand Avenue, 33133)

• Atlanta, Georgia

• Birmingham, Michigan

These locations provide a geographical spread across key business hubs in the US.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: Offices are likely equipped with meeting rooms, project spaces, and common areas to facilitate cross-functional team collaboration and client interactions.

• Technology-Enabled: Access to necessary technology infrastructure, including robust internet, communication tools, and potentially specialized software for design, development, and analytics, is expected.

• Dynamic Agency Culture: The environment is likely fast-paced, client-driven, and geared towards innovation, requiring adaptability and strong communication skills. The emphasis on "people" and "differences" suggests an inclusive and idea-generating atmosphere.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is mentioned, the company offers significant flexibility through "Flexible Working Arrangements" and the "Work Your World" program. This allows employees to adapt their schedules and work locations to some extent, aligning with the agile and outcome-driven nature of the role.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote flexibility, particularly the "Work Your World" program, is a significant perk that caters to modern work preferences. Candidates should be prepared for a dynamic and client-focused environment that balances structured processes with the need for creative problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a Director or VP) focusing on strategic thinking, product leadership experience, and understanding of the role's responsibilities.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Interviews with peers or team members from Engineering, Design, or other relevant departments to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and ability to work in a matrixed environment.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common step for strategy and product roles. Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a strategy for a hypothetical product, analyze a case study, or walk through a portfolio example demonstrating their approach to product strategy and execution.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior leader to assess strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit within Publicis Groupe's vision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Clearly articulate the business outcomes and customer value generated by your work. Quantify results with metrics (e.g., revenue growth, efficiency improvements, customer satisfaction scores).

• Showcase Transformation: Highlight examples where you drove the shift from project thinking to product thinking or successfully implemented agile/lean methodologies.

• Demonstrate Strategic Acumen: Detail your process for market analysis, identifying opportunities, defining product vision, and developing roadmaps.

• Illustrate Collaboration: Provide examples of how you effectively partnered with diverse cross-functional teams to achieve product goals.

• Tailor to the Role: Select portfolio pieces that best align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description – particularly those involving product strategy, agile execution, and client impact.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically. For case studies, use a clear structure: Problem, Solution (your approach/strategy), Implementation (your role/actions), and Results (quantifiable outcomes).

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy Case: Be prepared to tackle a hypothetical product strategy challenge. Focus on defining the problem, understanding the target audience, identifying market opportunities, outlining potential features, and proposing a roadmap with prioritization criteria.

• Agile/Lean Scenarios: Expect questions about managing backlogs, resolving team conflicts within an agile framework, or prioritizing competing feature requests based on business value.

• Data-Driven Approach: Practice articulating how you would use data to validate hypotheses, measure success, and inform product decisions. Be ready to discuss specific tools or methods.

• Stakeholder Alignment: Prepare examples of how you have successfully gained buy-in and aligned diverse stakeholders (technical, business, executive) on product strategy and roadmap decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely be rigorous, testing strategic thinking, operational execution, and collaborative capabilities. A well-prepared portfolio and thoughtful responses to case studies will be crucial for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello for backlog management, sprint planning, and documentation.

• Roadmapping Tools: Aha!, Productboard, Roadmunk for strategic roadmap visualization and planning.

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Outlook), Google Workspace for communication and collaboration.

• Agile/Lean Framework Tools: Familiarity with tools supporting SAFe, Scrum, Kanban methodologies.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for website and user behavior tracking.

• BI & Data Visualization: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for creating dashboards and reporting on KPIs/OKRs.

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap for in-depth user behavior analysis within products.

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot (often integrated with product data for customer insights).

CRM & Automation:

• CRM: Salesforce (highly probable given client engagements), HubSpot.

• Marketing Automation: Marketo, Pardot, HubSpot Marketing Hub (for understanding customer lifecycle and campaign impact).

• Integration Tools: Zapier, MuleSoft, or custom API integrations (to connect various systems for data flow).

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in a range of product management, analytics, and collaboration tools is expected. The ability to integrate and leverage data from these systems for strategic decision-making is paramount. Experience with enterprise-level CRM systems like Salesforce is a strong asset.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A strong focus on delivering exceptional value and driving success for clients through innovative digital solutions.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Valuing diverse perspectives and fostering an environment where everyone's contributions are respected and amplified ("The Power of One").

• Innovation & Agility: Embracing new ideas, challenging conventions, and adapting quickly to market changes and client needs.

• Data-Driven Excellence: Committing to using data and objective evidence to inform decisions, measure impact, and optimize performance.

• Continuous Learning: Encouraging professional growth, skill development, and staying ahead of industry trends.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Teams: Working within multidisciplinary teams where members from different functions collaborate closely on shared goals.

• Open Communication: Encouraging direct and transparent communication, feedback exchange, and knowledge sharing across all levels.

• Partnership-Oriented: Building strong working relationships both internally and externally with clients, acting as strategic partners.

• Agile Cadence: Adhering to agile ceremonies and iterative processes that promote regular check-ins, feedback loops, and adaptive planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Publicis Groupe's "The Power of One" philosophy emphasizes collaboration and leveraging collective strengths. Razorfish’s reboot highlights a commitment to diversity and inclusion as drivers of innovation. This suggests a culture that is both results-oriented and people-focused.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Driving Transformation: Leading the cultural and operational shift from project-based work to a product-centric model within client organizations can be challenging due to resistance to change or ingrained processes.

• Balancing Client Needs & Product Vision: Effectively managing diverse client expectations and priorities while maintaining a cohesive and strategically sound product vision.

• Navigating Matrixed Structures: Collaborating effectively and achieving alignment across multiple teams and reporting lines within a complex organization.

• Rapid Technological Evolution: Staying current with the fast pace of digital innovation and integrating new technologies into product strategies.

• Quantifying Impact: Developing robust methodologies to consistently measure and articulate the business impact and ROI of product strategies, especially in a consulting context.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Product Management Certifications: Pursuing certifications in Agile, SAFe, or specialized product management disciplines.

• Industry Conferences & Workshops: Attending events focused on digital transformation, product strategy, and marketing technology to gain insights and network.

• Mentorship Programs: Engaging with senior leaders within Publicis Groupe for guidance on career development and strategic thinking.

• Cross-Disciplinary Training: Opportunities to learn about different facets of the business, such as creative, media, technology, and data science, to broaden expertise.

• Leadership Development Programs: Access to internal programs designed to hone leadership, strategic planning, and client management skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are also significant growth opportunities. Successfully navigating them will build resilience, strategic acumen, and leadership capabilities valuable in the broader GTM and operations fields.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a significant shift from project delivery to product-driven outcomes. What were the biggest challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on change management, stakeholder buy-in, and measurable results).

• "How do you approach defining a product strategy for a new market or client need? Walk us through your framework." (Emphasize market analysis, customer segmentation, value proposition, and roadmap prioritization).

• "Imagine a client has conflicting priorities between a new feature launch and a critical operational improvement. How would you prioritize and manage this situation?" (Highlight data-driven decision-making, stakeholder negotiation, and impact assessment). Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your understanding of Razorfish/Publicis Groupe, how would you contribute to our culture of innovation and client success?" (Research their values, recent work, and express alignment).

• "Describe your experience working in a matrixed organization. How do you ensure alignment and collaboration across different teams and reporting structures?" (Provide specific examples of communication strategies and relationship-building).

• "How do you measure the success of a product strategy beyond just delivering features?" (Discuss KPIs, OKRs, customer satisfaction, business impact, and ROI). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as compelling narratives. Clearly articulate the "why" (the business problem/opportunity), the "what" (your strategy/solution), and the "so what" (the impact/results).

• Data Visualization: Use clear charts and graphs to present metrics and demonstrate the impact of your work. Avoid overwhelming slides with too much text.

• Highlight Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, especially in cross-functional efforts. Use "I" statements for your direct actions and "we" for team achievements.

• Address Ambiguity: Be prepared to discuss how you handle incomplete information or ambiguity in product strategy development.

• Conciseness: Respect the time allocated for your presentation. Focus on the most impactful examples and be ready to answer detailed questions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational execution, leadership potential, and a strong understanding of client-driven environments. The ability to articulate value using data and to navigate complex organizational dynamics will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Director, Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the official application link provided by Publicis Groupe/Razorfish.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate a portfolio that prominently features case studies demonstrating your product strategy development, agile execution, data-driven decision-making, and quantifiable business outcomes. Tailor specific examples to align with digital transformation and agency client work.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume highlights keywords such as "Product Strategy," "Agile," "Product Ownership," "Roadmap Development," "Cross-functional Leadership," "Client Management," and relevant tool proficiencies. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions. Prepare concise answers for strategy-focused questions and rehearse your portfolio presentation.

• Company Research: Deeply research Publicis Groupe and Razorfish's recent work, client successes, company culture, and values. Understand their approach to digital transformation and client partnerships to tailor your responses and demonstrate genuine interest.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.