Director of Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director of Product Strategy

Company: 50,000Feet, LLC

Location: Chicago, IL, US / NYC, US / US Remote

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Management / Digital Strategy

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid/Remote (US Remote options available)

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the strategic direction, development, and successful delivery of innovative digital products and customer experiences.

• Bridges the gap between business objectives, user needs, design thinking, and technical implementation for client-facing digital solutions.

• Defines product visions, aligns cross-functional teams, and guides products through their entire lifecycle, from ideation to optimization.

• Leverages deep understanding of digital product ecosystems, customer experience design, emerging technologies, and agile development methodologies to drive impactful outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role of Director of Product Strategy at a design consultancy like 50,000Feet implies a strong focus on client-centric product development, strategic innovation, and the ability to translate client business goals into tangible digital product solutions. This role requires not only product management expertise but also strong consultative skills and the ability to influence client stakeholders.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and champion the product vision, overarching strategy, and detailed roadmaps, ensuring alignment with client business goals and evolving customer needs.

• Lead and orchestrate multidisciplinary teams through the entire product lifecycle, encompassing discovery, planning, development, launch, and continuous optimization phases.

• Foster close collaboration with strategy, UX, creative, engineering, and client services teams to meticulously define product requirements, prioritize features, and establish clear success metrics.

• Translate complex business objectives and synthesized customer insights into actionable, user-centered product strategies and innovative solutions.

• Facilitate dynamic workshops, critical stakeholder sessions, and collaborative working engagements to ensure unified understanding and alignment around product goals and identified opportunities.

• Develop, maintain, and communicate comprehensive product roadmaps, implement robust feature prioritization frameworks, and establish realistic delivery timelines.

• Define detailed product requirements, write clear user stories, establish acceptance criteria, and identify key performance indicators (KPIs) in partnership with design and technical teams.

• Partner with UX and research teams to validate product concepts through rigorous user feedback, iterative testing, and continuous design refinement processes.

• Proactively manage competing priorities, dependencies, potential risks, and scope changes throughout the product lifecycle to ensure successful delivery.

• Monitor product performance and customer engagement metrics diligently to identify areas for optimization and inform strategic future product direction.

• Drive seamless alignment between strategic business objectives, exceptional customer experiences, technical feasibility, and operational considerations.

• Articulate and present product strategies, strategic recommendations, and project progress updates to both clients and internal leadership with exceptional clarity, confidence, and persuasive communication.

• Stay abreast of emerging technologies, AI-enabled experiences, evolving digital trends, and industry best practices to proactively identify and capitalize on innovation opportunities.

• Champion and support agile product development practices, including effective sprint planning, thorough backlog grooming, and seamless cross-functional team collaboration.

• Contribute to business growth by identifying new service opportunities, expanding existing client relationships, and actively supporting strategic business initiatives.

• Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports, fostering a culture of growth and high performance within the product strategy team.

• Oversee the hiring and management of freelance talent in adjacent disciplines, such as content strategy and UX design, as project needs dictate.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, hands-on product development guidance, and client-facing communication, typical for a senior role within a creative consultancy. The emphasis on client relationships and business growth suggests that this role will also involve elements of business development and account management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Product Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field, OR equivalent professional experience demonstrating a strong foundation in these areas.

Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of progressive experience in product management, digital strategy, product development leadership, or comparable roles within innovative environments.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Vision: Proven ability to define, articulate, and execute comprehensive product strategies and visions aligned with business objectives and market opportunities.

• Digital Product Lifecycle Management: Demonstrated experience successfully guiding digital products from initial concept through discovery, development, launch, and post-launch optimization.

• Agile Methodologies: Deep understanding and practical application of agile frameworks (e.g., Scrum, Kanban) for efficient product development and iterative delivery.

• User-Centered Design (UCD): Strong grasp of UCD principles and the ability to translate user needs and research findings into intuitive and effective product solutions.

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Experience leading and collaborating effectively with diverse teams including strategy, UX/UI design, engineering, creative, marketing, and client services.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to manage relationships, expectations, and communication with internal teams, clients, and executive leadership.

• Product Roadmapping & Prioritization: Proficiency in developing and maintaining product roadmaps, utilizing prioritization frameworks, and managing backlogs effectively.

• Client Communication & Presentation: Superior client-facing, presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence and build trust with external stakeholders.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Strong capabilities in data analysis, synthesizing insights, identifying root causes, and developing practical solutions to complex challenges.

• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational capabilities with meticulous attention to detail, essential for managing complex projects and multiple workstreams.

Preferred Skills:

• Emerging Technologies & AI: Familiarity with emerging technologies, AI-enabled experiences, and their application in digital product development.

• Creative Agency/Consultancy Experience: Prior experience working within a creative agency, design consultancy, or innovation-focused environment.

• Product Management Tools: Proficiency with industry-standard product management, collaboration, and project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Trello, Aha!, Productboard).

• UX Research & Validation: Experience partnering with UX research teams for concept validation, usability testing, and user feedback incorporation.

• Business Development Acumen: Ability to identify new client opportunities and contribute to business growth through strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (10+ years) and the emphasis on client-facing skills, strategic thinking, and leading multidisciplinary teams suggest this role is a senior leadership position. The preferred experience in a creative agency or consultancy further contextualizes the role within a client-service-oriented environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 compelling case studies detailing your involvement in defining and executing product strategies for digital products. These should illustrate your approach to market analysis, user research synthesis, and strategic roadmap development.

• Product Lifecycle Management Examples: Provide examples of digital products you have led from concept through launch and subsequent optimization. Highlight your role in each phase and the outcomes achieved.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Demonstrate instances where you effectively led or collaborated with multidisciplinary teams (strategy, design, engineering) to bring digital products to fruition.

• Client Presentation Materials: Include redacted examples of client-facing presentations where you have articulated product strategies, roadmaps, or launch plans, showcasing your communication and influencing skills.

• Metrics and Performance Data: Showcase how you define and track product success. Include examples of KPIs, metrics dashboards, or reports demonstrating impact and informing optimization efforts.

Process Documentation:

• Product Discovery & Strategy Frameworks: Document your methodologies for product discovery, including user research techniques, competitive analysis, and market opportunity identification.

• Agile Workflow & Prioritization: Illustrate your approach to agile product development, including backlog management, sprint planning, and feature prioritization techniques.

• Product Performance Analysis & Optimization: Detail your process for monitoring product performance, analyzing key metrics, and identifying opportunities for iterative improvements and optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Director level and the nature of a design consultancy, a robust portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, end-to-end product leadership, and strong client-facing capabilities is crucial. The focus should be on showcasing impact, strategic decision-making, and collaborative execution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $180,000 - $220,000 Annually

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays.

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match.

• Professional development and continuous learning opportunities, including access to training, conferences, and workshops.

• Opportunities for career advancement and growth within a leading design consultancy.

• Collaborative and creative work environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or profit-sharing.

Working Hours: Full-time position, typically 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be expected to meet client needs and project deadlines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is competitive for a Director-level Product Strategy role in major US markets like Chicago and NYC, especially within a specialized consultancy. The benefits package is standard for a full-time professional role, with an emphasis on professional development, which is key for a strategy-focused position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Design Consultancy / Creative Agency / Branding & Digital Products

Company Size: The provided data does not specify company size, but the nature of a "global design consultancy" suggests a medium to large organization with multiple offices and diverse client engagements.

Founded: 2001, indicating a well-established firm with significant experience and a proven track record in the industry.

Team Structure:

• The Director of Product Strategy will likely lead a team of product strategists, product managers, or product owners, depending on the organizational structure.

• This role will necessitate close collaboration with dedicated teams in Strategy, Creative, UX Design, Engineering, Client Services, and potentially Business Development.

• Reporting structure will likely be to a senior executive, such as a Chief Product Officer, Head of Strategy, or Managing Partner, depending on the company's leadership hierarchy. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: Emphasizes the use of business intelligence, industry acumen, and consumer insights to inform strategic decisions and creative solutions.

• Integrated Approach: Combines strategy, design, and technology to deliver cohesive and impactful solutions across various channels (digital, mobile, broadcast, print, retail).

• User-Centricity: Focuses on understanding and meeting customer needs to build deeper brand connections.

• Agile & Iterative Development: Supports modern product development workflows that allow for flexibility, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Company Website: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=0632936c-78c5-4af2-932a-c1954024b992

📝 Enhancement Note: As a design consultancy, 50,000Feet likely fosters a culture of creativity, collaboration, strategic thinking, and client focus. The company's longevity suggests a stable and experienced organization. The emphasis on "timeless brands" and "discerning audiences" implies a commitment to quality and sophisticated design.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role, classified as a Director. It signifies a significant level of responsibility for strategy formulation, team leadership, and client engagement. The role requires a blend of strategic vision, tactical execution, and people management.

Reporting Structure: The Director of Product Strategy will likely report to a C-level executive or a senior partner within the organization, such as a Chief Product Officer, Head of Strategy, or Managing Director. They will, in turn, manage a team of product professionals.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on revenue and business decisions by:

• Defining and driving the product strategy for client engagements, directly influencing project scope, client satisfaction, and potential for follow-on work.

• Identifying and developing innovative digital products that create competitive advantages for clients, leading to increased client revenue and brand equity.

• Contributing to the agency's own business growth by identifying new service offerings, expanding client relationships, and supporting business development efforts.

• Ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality digital products, which is critical for the agency's reputation and ability to attract and retain clients. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into higher leadership roles, such as VP of Product Strategy, Chief Product Officer, or a partner track within the consultancy, overseeing broader product portfolios or service lines.

• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to shape the strategic direction of the company's product offerings and digital transformation services.

• Mentorship & Team Development: Develop and lead a high-performing team, fostering talent and contributing to the overall expertise of the organization.

• Client Relationship Management: Deepen relationships with key clients, becoming a trusted advisor and strategic partner.

• Industry Thought Leadership: Opportunity to contribute to industry discourse through speaking engagements, publications, or developing innovative methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Director" title and the scope of responsibilities clearly place this role at a senior leadership level. The impact on both client success and the agency's own business growth highlights its strategic importance. Growth opportunities are aligned with typical progression paths for senior leaders in consultancies and agencies.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job posting indicates "Chicago / NYC / US Remote," suggesting a hybrid or flexible work environment. This likely means a combination of in-office collaboration in Chicago or NYC and remote work arrangements for eligible employees. The company's nature as a design consultancy implies a focus on collaborative and creative office spaces.

Office Location(s): Potential for in-office work in Chicago or New York City. Remote work is an option for candidates located within the United States.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hubs: Offices in Chicago and NYC are likely designed to foster collaboration among strategy, creative, design, and client teams, featuring open workspaces, meeting rooms, and presentation areas.

• Technology-Rich Environment: Access to modern technology, design software, project management tools, and communication platforms to support remote and in-office collaboration.

• Client-Facing Focus: The work environment is geared towards client interaction, requiring professionals who can effectively present ideas and strategies in both formal and informal settings.

Work Schedule: While typically a 40-hour work week, the demands of client projects and deadlines in a consultancy environment may require flexibility and occasional extended hours to ensure timely and successful delivery. This is common for senior strategy roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid/remote option combined with specific office locations indicates a modern work structure. The emphasis on collaboration is inherent in a design consultancy setting, and candidates should expect a dynamic environment that balances structured work with creative problem-solving.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio by a recruiter or hiring manager to assess basic qualifications and experience.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your background, experience in product strategy, leadership style, and understanding of the role's core responsibilities.

• Team/Peer Interviews: Interviews with potential colleagues from strategy, design, or engineering teams to evaluate collaboration skills, technical understanding, and cultural fit.

• Case Study Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your approach to a complex product strategy challenge, your decision-making process, and the impact of your work.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with senior leadership to assess strategic thinking, executive presence, client composure, and overall fit with the company's vision and values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 of your strongest, most relevant case studies that showcase end-to-end product strategy development, leadership, and client impact.

• Focus on Impact & ROI: Clearly articulate the business objectives, the strategic decisions you made, the challenges you overcame, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., revenue growth, user engagement, efficiency gains). Quantify results whenever possible.

• Highlight Your Role: Clearly define your specific contributions and leadership within each project, especially in cross-functional team settings.

• Structure Your Narrative: For each case study, use a clear structure: Problem/Opportunity -> Your Strategy/Approach -> Execution -> Results -> Learnings.

• Prepare for Deep Dives: Be ready to discuss the nuances of your process, the tools you used, the trade-offs you made, and how you handled difficult stakeholder situations.

• Tailor to 50,000Feet: Research the company's work and clients. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their focus on design, branding, and digital products.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Frameworks: Brush up on common product strategy frameworks, market analysis techniques, and user research methodologies.

• Agile Processes: Be prepared to discuss your experience with agile development, backlog management, and sprint optimization.

• Client Communication Scenarios: Practice articulating complex strategies in a clear, concise, and persuasive manner, anticipating potential client questions and objections.

• Leadership & Collaboration Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have led teams, resolved conflicts, and fostered collaboration across diverse disciplines.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess strategic thinking, leadership, collaboration, and client-facing skills, with a strong emphasis on portfolio demonstration. Candidates should prepare to showcase their strategic process and quantifiable results.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, Trello, Aha!, or Productboard for roadmap planning, backlog management, and task tracking.

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in tools such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and team coordination.

• Prototyping/Wireframing Tools: Awareness of tools like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision, often used in conjunction with design and UX teams.

• Analytics & Reporting Platforms: Experience with web and product analytics tools such as Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, or Tableau for performance monitoring and data analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics.

• Product Analytics: Mixpanel, Amplitude, Heap.

• Business Intelligence/Dashboarding: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar for creating and presenting performance insights.

CRM & Automation:

• While not the primary focus, an understanding of CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and marketing automation platforms can be beneficial for understanding client ecosystems and customer journeys.

• Integration Tools: Familiarity with concepts of API integrations and data flow between different systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role requires proficiency in tools that support agile product development, collaboration, and data analysis. While specific tools aren't listed, a strong understanding of the types of tools used in product management and digital strategy is expected.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Excellence: A commitment to rigorous analysis, insightful strategy development, and data-informed decision-making to drive client success.

• Creative Innovation: Fostering an environment that encourages novel ideas, bold design thinking, and the exploration of emerging technologies to create impactful digital experiences.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, collaborative relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and dedicated partner in achieving their business goals.

• Collaborative Spirit: Embracing teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect across all disciplines to achieve shared objectives.

• Quality & Craftsmanship: A dedication to delivering high-quality, polished, and "timeless" work that reflects the company's reputation and commitment to excellence.

• Continuous Learning: Encouraging curiosity, professional development, and staying at the forefront of industry trends and technological advancements.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Multidisciplinary Teams: Working seamlessly within teams composed of strategists, creatives, designers, technologists, and client managers.

• Workshop-Driven Alignment: Utilizing facilitated workshops to drive consensus, brainstorm solutions, and align stakeholders on strategic direction.

• Open Feedback Loops: Encouraging constructive feedback and open dialogue to refine strategies and improve product outcomes.

• Knowledge Sharing: Actively sharing insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to elevate the collective expertise of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely emphasizes a blend of high-level strategic thinking, creative execution, and client-centricity. Collaboration is key, given the multidisciplinary nature of design and product development projects.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Competing Demands: Effectively managing the often-conflicting needs of clients, end-users, business objectives, and technical constraints.

• Navigating Ambiguity: Thriving in a dynamic consultancy environment where project scopes, client priorities, and market landscapes can evolve rapidly.

• Driving Consensus: Gaining alignment and buy-in from diverse stakeholders with potentially differing perspectives and priorities.

• Translating Vision to Execution: Ensuring that strategic visions are accurately translated into actionable product roadmaps and development plans.

• Staying Ahead of Trends: Continuously learning and adapting to the rapid pace of technological change and evolving consumer expectations in the digital space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Skill Enhancement: Deepening expertise in product strategy, market analysis, competitive intelligence, and emerging technology trends.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to refine leadership, team management, and executive communication skills through direct experience and potential mentorship.

• Industry Exposure: Engaging with a diverse range of clients and industries, providing broad exposure to different business models and challenges.

• Innovation Exploration: Opportunities to research and propose the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to enhance client offerings and internal processes.

• Mentorship Programs: Potential to participate in formal or informal mentorship programs, both as a mentee and a mentor, fostering professional growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges reflect the typical complexities of senior product strategy roles in a client-facing, fast-paced environment. Growth opportunities are substantial, offering paths for increased leadership, strategic influence, and continuous professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a product strategy that significantly impacted a client's business. What was your process, and what were the key outcomes?" (Focus on strategic thinking, process, and measurable results).

• "How do you balance user needs, business objectives, and technical feasibility when defining a product roadmap?" (Demonstrate your understanding of trade-offs and prioritization).

• "Walk me through your approach to product discovery and how you translate initial insights into actionable product requirements." (Showcase your methodology for research synthesis and definition).

• "How do you stay informed about emerging technologies like AI, and how would you assess their potential application in a client's digital product strategy?" (Highlight your forward-thinking approach and ability to evaluate new trends). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to 50,000Feet, and how do you see your experience contributing to our mission of developing timeless brands?" (Research the company's values, work, and client portfolio).

• "Describe your ideal team dynamic and how you foster collaboration among diverse disciplines like strategy, creative, and engineering." (Emphasize your collaborative leadership style).

• "How do you measure the success of a product strategy, and what key metrics do you prioritize?" (Showcase your data-driven approach and focus on impact). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Choose Impactful Examples: Select case studies that clearly demonstrate your strategic thinking, problem-solving abilities, and the tangible results you achieved for clients.

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your presentation logically: Situation/Challenge, Your Strategic Approach, Key Decisions & Actions, Results (quantified), and Key Learnings.

• Emphasize Your Role: Be specific about your contributions, leadership, and decision-making processes within each project.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your strategies and product initiatives (e.g., revenue growth, user acquisition, engagement rates, cost savings).

• Anticipate Questions: Prepare for detailed questions about your process, challenges faced, and how you overcame them. Be ready to discuss your rationale behind strategic choices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on showcasing strategic depth, leadership capabilities, client-facing skills, and a strong understanding of the product lifecycle within a consultancy context. The portfolio presentation is a critical component for demonstrating practical application of these skills.

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📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director of Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience, focusing on product strategy, digital product leadership, client management, and cross-functional team orchestration. Quantify achievements with metrics where possible.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 of your most impactful product strategy case studies. Ensure they demonstrate your strategic process, leadership, and measurable client outcomes. Prepare to present these clearly and concisely.

• Prepare for Executive-Level Communication: Practice articulating your strategic vision, decision-making rationale, and leadership approach. Be ready to discuss your experience with complex client engagements and driving consensus.

• Research 50,000Feet: Understand their core values, client work, and approach to branding and digital products. Be prepared to articulate how your skills and experience align with their specific needs and culture.

⚠️ 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.