Associate Director, Product Strategy (US)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Associate Director, Product Strategy (US)

Company: Code and Theory

Location: New York, New York, United States / Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy / Digital Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-09-03T17:20:15

Experience Level: 6+ Years

Remote Status: Remote OK

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and own strategic product workstreams within complex client engagements, driving actionable insights from discovery through to execution.

• Develop and articulate clear product vision, strategy, and roadmaps, grounded in business objectives and user needs, ensuring strategic intent translates into actionable direction for delivery teams.

• Masterfully utilize and advocate for AI tools in research, synthesis, prototyping, and deliverable creation, while critically assessing their impact and potential risks.

• Cultivate strong client relationships and demonstrate growing independence in leading strategic discussions and facilitating decision-making processes.

• Contribute to defining and measuring engagement success through robust data analysis and strategic validation, ensuring accountability for outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role focuses on the strategic application of product management principles within a digital-first creative agency context. The emphasis on AI tools and their integration into client workflows and internal processes is a significant differentiator. The "Associate Director" title suggests a blend of individual contribution and team leadership/mentoring, requiring strong execution alongside strategic thinking. The role bridges the gap between high-level strategy and practical implementation, a critical function in GTM and product operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Own and execute discovery workstreams, including competitive research, stakeholder interviews, and user needs synthesis, translating findings into clear, actionable product insights and strategic recommendations.

• Develop comprehensive product frameworks, vision documents, and roadmap inputs that align with business goals and user realities, articulating a clear strategic point of view.

• Translate strategic thinking into sequenced, scoped direction for delivery teams, defining priorities and rationale for product development.

• Build and apply prioritization models to guide client decision-making, facilitating alignment sessions and confidently navigating disagreements to reach clear positions.

• Ensure strategic direction is effectively communicated to delivery teams through shaping and reviewing user stories and product requirements, maintaining strategic intent and specificity.

• Define and utilize success metrics for engagements, leveraging data and research to validate strategic recommendations and identify areas for course correction.

• Independently apply AI tools across research, synthesis, prototyping, and deliverable creation, critically evaluating their effectiveness and human judgment requirements.

• Advise clients on embedding AI thinking into their teams and ways of working, under the guidance of senior leadership.

• Support Senior Directors in new business development efforts and actively coach and develop junior practitioners within the product strategy team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on execution and translating strategy into tangible deliverables. The "owning" of workstreams and "facilitating alignment" points to a need for strong leadership and project management skills. The integration of AI tools is not just a technical requirement but a strategic imperative, requiring candidates to critically assess and advise on its application.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Marketing, Computer Science, Design) or equivalent practical experience. Master's degree or MBA is a plus.

Experience: 6+ years of progressive experience in product strategy, digital strategy, management consulting, or a related strategic advisory role. Demonstrated track record of independently owning and driving strategy workstreams through to delivery decisions or measurable outcomes is strongly preferred.

Required Skills:

• 6+ years of experience in product strategy, digital strategy, or a related field with a strong track record of owning strategy workstreams with limited oversight.

• Deep understanding of core strategic product management areas: discovery, vision development, prioritization, analysis interpretation, and strategic intent articulation for delivery.

• Proven ability to translate abstract strategic thinking into concrete, actionable direction, including shaping user stories and product requirements.

• Strong facilitation skills for workshops and alignment sessions, with the ability to confidently present to senior stakeholders and hold a clear position under pushback.

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize competitive research, user data, and business context into unique, defensible product recommendations.

• Active, independent fluency with AI tools for research, synthesis, prototyping, and deliverable creation, with developing judgment on their strengths and limitations.

• Emerging understanding of AI as an organizational capability and its implications for client teams.

• Proven ability to mentor and develop junior practitioners and reliably manage defined project workstreams. Preferred Skills:

• Experience carrying strategic work through to delivery decisions or measurable outcomes.

• Familiarity with various product development methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall) and their strategic integration.

• Experience in a digital-first creative agency or consulting environment serving Fortune 100 clients.

• Emerging confidence in surfacing AI implications and capabilities to clients.

• Experience with defining and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics for digital products.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on "carrying work through to delivery decisions or measurable outcomes" suggests a preference for candidates who can connect strategy to tangible business results, a key aspect of revenue operations. The "emerging understanding of AI as an organizational capability" indicates a need for strategic thinking beyond just tool usage, focusing on how AI impacts business processes and team structures.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of strategic product workstreams owned and executed with limited oversight, showcasing end-to-end process ownership.

• Case studies illustrating the development of product frameworks, vision documents, and roadmaps, highlighting the strategic point of view and its grounding in business goals and user reality.

• Examples of prioritization models developed and applied, with clear articulation of the decision-making process and facilitation of alignment.

• Work samples demonstrating the translation of strategic intent into actionable direction for delivery teams, such as well-crafted user stories or product requirements documents.

• Evidence of defining and tracking success metrics, showcasing analytical rigor and the ability to validate strategic recommendations with data. Process Documentation:

• Showcase documentation of the discovery process, including methodologies for competitive research, stakeholder interviews, and user needs synthesis.

• Present examples of how strategic thinking was documented and communicated to cross-functional teams and clients.

• Illustrate the process for developing and applying prioritization models, including facilitation techniques for alignment.

• Provide examples of how strategic intent was translated into specific, actionable requirements for development teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on product strategy, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase the output (e.g., strategy documents) but also the process and impact. Emphasis should be placed on how candidates structure their work, gather insights, make decisions (especially prioritization), and ensure strategic alignment across teams. Demonstrating the application of AI tools within these processes would be a significant advantage.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $125,000 - $160,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and holidays.

• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.

• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities, including training on AI tools and strategic methodologies.

• Opportunities for advancement within a growing global network of agencies.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses.

• Remote work flexibility.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. Some flexibility may be required to accommodate client needs and global team collaboration, particularly in a remote setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided and falls within typical industry benchmarks for an Associate Director level in a high-cost-of-living area like New York, especially within a creative agency known for high-caliber work. The benefits listed are standard but should be reviewed for specifics regarding coverage and eligibility. The inclusion of professional development, particularly around AI, is a strong indicator of the company's investment in its employees' growth.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Digital-first creative agency, technology, consulting, media & entertainment. Code and Theory operates at the intersection of creativity and technology, solving complex business and consumer problems.

Company Size: Nearly 2,000 people globally across a network of agencies (Code and Theory, Kettle, Instrument, Left Field Labs, Create Group, Current, and TrueLogic). This indicates a substantial organization with diverse capabilities and resources, offering a robust environment for operations professionals.

Founded: 2001. With over two decades of experience, Code and Theory has established a strong reputation and a deep understanding of the digital landscape.

Team Structure:

• The Product Strategy team likely comprises individuals with diverse backgrounds in product management, business analysis, and strategy consulting.

• Reporting structure is likely to involve reporting to a Senior Director or VP of Product Strategy, with direct oversight of junior practitioners.

• Cross-functional collaboration is central, involving close partnerships with design, engineering, client services, and business development teams to deliver integrated solutions. Methodology:

• Data analysis and insights are core to their approach, using research and metrics to inform strategic recommendations.

• Workflow planning and optimization are key, as they translate strategy into actionable plans for delivery teams.

• Automation and efficiency practices are increasingly relevant, especially with the emphasis on AI tools, aiming to enhance both internal operations and client solutions.

Company Website: https://www.codeandtheory.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Code and Theory's positioning as a digital-first creative agency implies a culture that values innovation, collaboration, and a blend of creative and technical expertise. The large global network suggests opportunities for diverse project exposure and career mobility. The emphasis on solving "hardest problems" indicates a challenging yet rewarding environment for operations-minded individuals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is an "Associate Director," signifying a mid-to-senior level position. It requires a blend of independent contribution, strategic ownership, and the ability to mentor junior staff. It's a stepping stone towards more senior leadership roles in product strategy and potentially broader GTM or operations leadership.

Reporting Structure: The Associate Director will likely report to a Senior Director or VP of Product Strategy. They will also be responsible for developing junior practitioners, indicating a leadership component within their role.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is significant, directly influencing product strategy, client roadmaps, and the successful delivery of digital solutions. By ensuring strategic intent is translated into actionable plans, this role drives efficiency in development and increases the likelihood of successful product launches and client outcomes, directly contributing to revenue generation and client retention.

Growth Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Deepen expertise in product strategy, AI integration, client relationship management, and strategic facilitation.

• Leadership Development: Progress to Senior Director or VP roles, managing larger teams and more complex client portfolios.

• Specialization: Develop a niche in specific industries (e.g., financial services, tech) or functional areas (e.g., AI strategy, product analytics).

• Cross-functional Exposure: Gain exposure to other areas of the agency network, potentially leading to roles in business development, operations management, or even client leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Associate Director" title implies a dual focus: hands-on strategic execution and developing others. This is a critical stage for operations professionals looking to move into leadership, requiring strong mentorship and team-building capabilities alongside strategic acumen. The growth path should emphasize both deepening strategic expertise and broadening leadership scope.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Code and Theory operates as a digital-first agency with a global network. While they have physical offices, the "Remote OK" status and specific mention of a "Remote" location option indicate a strong embrace of hybrid and remote work models. This suggests a modern, flexible work environment.

Office Location(s): New York, NY, and potentially other global locations within their network. The role can be based in New York or fully remote within the US.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a highly collaborative atmosphere, with frequent interaction with diverse teams (design, engineering, client services). The emphasis on facilitation and client presentations means strong communication and interpersonal skills are vital.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to industry-standard strategic planning tools, project management software, and crucially, advanced AI tools for research, synthesis, and prototyping. A robust digital infrastructure is expected.

• Team Interaction: Regular team meetings, workshops, and client calls, whether in-person or virtual, designed to foster idea exchange and drive project momentum.

Work Schedule: While a standard 40-hour work week is typical, the nature of agency work and client-facing roles, especially in a remote or hybrid setup, may require flexibility to accommodate urgent client needs or time zone differences. This necessitates strong self-management and time-blocking skills.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote nature of the work environment is a key factor. Operations professionals in such roles need to be highly self-disciplined, excellent communicators, and adept at using digital collaboration tools to maintain team cohesion and project momentum. The "digital-first" approach means technology is central to how work gets done.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the required experience and skills, particularly in product strategy and AI tool application.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Discussion focused on your experience, strategic approach, and understanding of product development lifecycle. Expect questions about how you've owned workstreams and translated strategy into action.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common step for strategy roles. You may be asked to present a past project or tackle a hypothetical product strategy challenge, demonstrating your analytical, strategic, and presentation skills. Focus on showcasing your process, decision-making, and the impact of your work.

• Team/Stakeholder Interviews: Meetings with potential peers and senior leaders to assess cultural fit, collaboration style, and ability to influence. Prepare to discuss how you work with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.

• Final Interview: Typically with a senior leader to discuss career aspirations and finalize the decision.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Strategy-to-Execution: Include case studies that clearly demonstrate how you took a strategic concept and translated it into actionable plans, user stories, or roadmap items.

• Highlight AI Integration: Specifically detail instances where you leveraged AI tools for research, synthesis, or prototyping. Explain your judgment in selecting tools, their impact, and any limitations encountered.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use metrics and data to demonstrate the success of your strategies and recommendations. Quantify improvements in user engagement, conversion rates, or efficiency gains.

• Process Over Output: While final deliverables are important, emphasize your process, methodologies, and decision-making rationale. How did you arrive at your conclusions?

• Tailor to the Role: Review Code and Theory's work and client roster. Tailor your portfolio presentation to highlight relevant experience and demonstrate an understanding of their business.

Challenge Preparation:

• Anticipate Strategy Questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to defining product vision, developing roadmaps, and prioritizing features.

• AI Application Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would use AI tools to solve specific product strategy problems or enhance existing processes.

• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating how you would manage diverse stakeholder expectations, handle pushback, and facilitate alignment.

• Problem Framing: Be prepared to frame a business problem, identify key questions, and outline a strategic approach to address it.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on AI tools in the job description means candidates should be prepared to discuss their practical application and strategic implications in detail. The portfolio should explicitly showcase this. For strategy roles, demonstrating the ability to structure thought processes and communicate them clearly is paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Strategy & Roadmapping Tools: Jira, Confluence, Aha!, Productboard, Asana,

Trello (for project management and documentation).

• AI Tools: Proficiency with a range of AI-powered tools for:

  • Research & Synthesis: ChatGPT, Claude, Bard, Perplexity AI, specialized research platforms.
  • Prototyping & Ideation: AI-assisted design tools, concept generation platforms.
  • Deliverable Creation: AI writing assistants for reports, presentations, and user stories.

• Analytics & Reporting: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Tableau, Power BI for data analysis and performance tracking.

• CRM & Automation: Salesforce, HubSpot (understanding CRM data for strategy is beneficial, though not a primary CRM role).

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Miro, Figma (for whiteboarding and design collaboration).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Expertise in interpreting data from web analytics platforms, user behavior analytics tools, and business intelligence dashboards to validate strategic decisions.

• Ability to define key performance indicators (KPIs) and build reports/dashboards to track progress against strategic goals. CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM/Sales Ops role, understanding how CRM data influences product strategy and how automation can support product workflows is advantageous.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of "AI tools actively and independently" is critical. Candidates should be prepared to name specific tools they are proficient with and describe how they use them to enhance strategic work. A strong understanding of how data informs product strategy is also essential.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Reliance on research, user data, and analytics to inform and validate strategic product decisions.

• Customer Centricity: A deep understanding of user needs and business goals as the foundation for product development.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Open communication and teamwork across disciplines to achieve shared objectives.

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new technologies (especially AI), methodologies, and creative solutions.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for workstreams, driving them to completion, and owning the outcomes.

• Efficiency & Impact: Focus on delivering tangible business value and optimizing processes for effectiveness.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively partners with design, engineering, client services, and business development teams, ensuring alignment and seamless execution.

• Facilitation-Focused: Excels at leading productive meetings and workshops, guiding discussions towards clear decisions and actionable outcomes.

• Constructive Feedback: Fosters an environment where feedback is shared openly and constructively to improve strategy and deliverables.

• Knowledge Sharing: Encourages the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings, particularly around new technologies like AI.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture values a blend of analytical rigor and creative problem-solving, with a strong emphasis on client collaboration and tangible impact. The "digital-first" and "technology" aspects suggest an environment that embraces innovation and continuous learning, especially concerning AI.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Bridging Strategy and Execution: The primary challenge is ensuring that strategic recommendations are clearly articulated, actionable, and effectively implemented by delivery teams, avoiding the "strategy stops at recommendation" pitfall.

• Navigating Client Ambiguity: Clients may have evolving needs or competing priorities; the role requires skill in guiding them toward clear strategic decisions and managing expectations.

• Integrating AI Effectively: Staying ahead of rapid AI advancements and advising clients on its strategic, ethical, and practical integration requires continuous learning and critical judgment.

• Managing Diverse Stakeholders: Balancing the needs and perspectives of various internal teams and external clients, often with differing priorities.

• Developing Junior Talent: Effectively mentoring and guiding less experienced team members while managing their own demanding workload.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• AI Specialization: Deepen expertise in AI tools and their strategic application in product development and business operations.

• Leadership Training: Develop advanced facilitation, client management, and team leadership skills.

• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse range of clients across various sectors, gaining broad industry knowledge.

• Strategic Frameworks: Continuously refine and expand knowledge of product strategy frameworks and methodologies.

• Mentorship Programs: Benefit from guidance from senior leaders and opportunities to mentor junior staff, solidifying knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a senior strategy role in an agency environment, requiring strong problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The growth opportunities are substantial, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of AI and strategic leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you owned a product strategy workstream from start to finish. What was your process, what challenges did you face, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on process, ownership, and results.)

• "How do you translate complex user research and business data into a clear, actionable product roadmap?" (Highlight synthesis, prioritization, and communication.)

• "Walk me through a situation where you had to facilitate a difficult decision-making session with stakeholders who had competing priorities. How did you achieve alignment?" (Emphasize facilitation, negotiation, and decision-making.)

• "How do you assess the effectiveness of AI tools in a product strategy context? Provide an example of how you've used AI to strengthen your work." (Be specific about tools, your judgment, and impact.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Code and Theory's approach to blending creativity and technology?" (Research their work, values, and client roster.)

• "How would you contribute to our culture of innovation and continuous learning, especially regarding AI?" (Discuss your proactive approach to learning and sharing knowledge.)

• "Describe your experience working in a global, distributed team environment. What are the keys to successful collaboration?" (Highlight communication, organization, and cultural awareness.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your approach (including AI tools used), the strategic solution, and the measurable impact.

• Focus on AI's Role: Explicitly detail how you used AI tools, the specific value they added (e.g., speed, depth of insight, novel ideas), and your critical assessment of their output.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Emphasize your ability to connect business objectives, user needs, and technical feasibility through strategic frameworks and decision-making.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your methodologies, assumptions, and alternative approaches.

• Showcase Facilitation Skills: During your presentation, engage with the interviewers, ask clarifying questions, and demonstrate your ability to lead a discussion around your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should heavily focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, practical application of AI tools, and strong communication/facilitation skills. The portfolio is a critical tool for showcasing these abilities, so candidates must prepare it meticulously.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Associate Director, Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the Code and Theory careers portal (link provided in the job posting).

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight specific experience in product strategy, digital strategy, AI tool usage, client facilitation, and managing workstreams. Use keywords from the job description such as "product strategy," "AI tools," "stakeholder management," and "roadmap development."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that best demonstrate your end-to-end strategic process, AI integration, and quantifiable impact. Ensure these are well-documented and clearly articulate your role and contributions.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice presenting your portfolio case studies, focusing on storytelling, clear articulation of your strategic thinking, and detailing your experience with AI tools. Be ready to discuss your process and decision-making rationale.

• Research Code and Theory: Understand their client roster, recent work, and company values. Prepare to discuss how your skills and experience align with their mission and how you can contribute to their success.

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