Director, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy

Company: Proto

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: August 20, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead complex innovation and transformation initiatives by structuring ambiguous problem spaces and driving strategic decision-making.

• Shape and guide the development of 0-1 product, service, and platform solutions from concept through prototyping and piloting to execution.

• Foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, integrating insights from commercial strategy, design, and technology teams.

• Coach and develop direct reports and project teams, ensuring high-quality output and continuous improvement in execution.

• Engage directly with executive-level clients and stakeholders to facilitate decision-making through clear communication and evidence-based narratives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while titled "Director, Product Strategy," has significant operational components. It requires not just strategic thinking but also the ability to translate strategy into actionable plans, manage project execution, and ensure the buildability and viability of new products and services. This aligns it closely with GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy and product operations, emphasizing the end-to-end lifecycle management of innovation.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Frame and define complex problem spaces, establishing clear objectives, decision criteria, and success metrics for product and experience initiatives.

• Develop comprehensive system-level views, modeling user behaviors, business constraints, technical possibilities, and interdependencies to inform solution architecture.

• Drive the definition and refinement of product, service, and experience concepts in collaboration with commercial, design, and engineering leads.

• Oversee the prototyping, piloting, and initial execution phases, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and market viability.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of direct reports and project team members, setting high standards for quality, efficiency, and impact.

• Facilitate workshops and client meetings, presenting complex findings and recommendations to executive audiences with clarity, evidence, and persuasive storytelling.

• Synthesize insights from diverse disciplines (e.g., market research, user behavior, technological capabilities) to build consensus and inform strategic direction.

• Contribute to the advancement of Proto's internal methodologies, frameworks, and best practices for product strategy and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of strategic leadership, project management, and team enablement, which are core to senior operations roles. The emphasis on "structuring complex problem spaces," "modeling systems," and "shaping 0-1 solutions" indicates a need for strong process thinking and execution capabilities, common in product operations and GTM strategy roles.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate and/or graduate degree in engineering, design, economics, social sciences, or a related discipline is preferred. Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant experience in product strategy, experience strategy, service or systems design, innovation consulting, product leadership, or venture-building contexts.

• Proven ability to own complex, ambiguous projects end-to-end, from initial framing to driving outcomes.

• Demonstrated success in translating ambiguous challenges into structured, actionable recommendations that influence product, investment, and organizational decisions. Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Innovation: Deep understanding of product lifecycle, innovation frameworks, and market analysis.

• Systems Thinking & Design: Ability to model complex systems, understand user behavior, and design integrated solutions.

• Project Leadership & Execution: Proven track record of managing complex projects from inception to completion, with accountability for outcomes.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Experience partnering effectively with design, engineering, and commercial teams.

• Stakeholder Management: Demonstrated ability to lead senior stakeholders through uncertain or high-stakes decision-making processes.

• Analytical & Synthesis Skills: Exceptional ability to analyze data, synthesize complex information, and derive actionable insights.

• Communication & Presentation: Track record of producing clear, decision-oriented narratives and artifacts for executive audiences.

• Technical Fluency: Sufficient technical understanding to engage credibly on system constraints, trade-offs, and buildability.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in innovation consulting or venture building.

• Expertise in service design or experience strategy.

• Familiarity with prototyping and piloting methodologies.

• Strong understanding of business model innovation and value creation.

• Ability to coach and mentor team members.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ years of relevant experience" and emphasis on "owning complex projects end-to-end" suggest a senior-level role. The required skills like "systems thinking," "technical fluency," and "stakeholder management" are critical for driving operational excellence in product development and GTM planning. The preference for engineering, design, or economics backgrounds points to a need for analytical rigor and structured problem-solving.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating end-to-end ownership of complex product strategy or innovation projects.

• Problem Framing: Examples of how you have defined ambiguous problem spaces, established objectives, and set decision criteria for initiatives.

• Solution Development: Artifacts illustrating the process of shaping 0-1 solutions, including concept definitions, user flows, and system models.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Evidence of leading senior stakeholders through decision-making processes, including presentation decks or workshop summaries.

• Impact & Outcomes: Quantifiable results or demonstrated impact from previous projects, highlighting strategic and operational achievements.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Frameworks: Examples of frameworks or methodologies used to structure complex problems and guide strategic planning.

• System Modeling: Visualizations or documentation of system-level analyses, including user journeys, process flows, or dependency mapping.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Documentation reflecting experience with product development stages, from ideation and prototyping to piloting and initial execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role focused on product strategy and innovation, a portfolio is crucial. It should not just showcase strategic thinking but also the ability to operationalize that strategy. Demonstrating experience with end-to-end project management, system modeling, and stakeholder facilitation will be key. The portfolio should highlight the candidate's ability to translate abstract concepts into concrete, buildable solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Base Salary: $170,000 - $190,000 USD per year.

• Note: This range is specific to New York City and may vary based on individual factors such as years of relevant skills and experience, level of responsibility, and qualifications.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) plan (details on matching not specified).

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, skill advancement, and industry engagement.

• Workplace Flexibility: Support for hybrid work and work-from-anywhere within a 3-hour time zone of EST.

• Office Amenities: Access to modern office facilities at 120 Broadway, 34th Floor, New York.

Working Hours:

• Core Hours: Generally 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST.

• Flexibility: Individual working hours may fluctuate based on client deadlines, deliverables, and collaborative needs, reflecting a results-oriented environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific to New York City. For other locations, salary benchmarks would need to be adjusted based on local cost of living and market rates. The mention of "individual compensation varies" emphasizes the need for candidates to negotiate based on their unique experience and qualifications. The benefits package is standard, but the emphasis on workplace flexibility is a key differentiator for attracting talent in today's market.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology Consulting / Innovation Services (Proto leads innovation and transformation for large organizations).

Company Size: The provided data does not specify exact company size, but the nature of the role (Director level) and the mention of "large organizations" suggests a mature, established firm, likely with a significant number of employees.

Founded: The provided data does not specify the founding date.

Team Structure:

• Reporting: This position reports into the Partner, Managing Director of Experience.

• Cross-functional: The role requires close collaboration with commercial strategy, design, and technology leads.

• Team Leadership: The Director will lead direct reports and project teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance environment.

Methodology:

• User-Centricity: Focus on understanding user needs as a foundation for product and service definition.

• Systemic Approach: Emphasis on modeling complex systems, behaviors, and constraints to inform solutions.

• Iterative Development: Use of prototyping and piloting to test and refine concepts before full execution.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leveraging evidence and analysis to guide strategy and secure stakeholder buy-in.

• Practice Advancement: Commitment to improving internal methods and external points of view.

Company Website: protoindustrial.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Proto's focus on innovation and transformation for large organizations implies a client-facing culture that values strategic thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to drive tangible change. The emphasis on "structuring complex problem spaces" and "modeling systems" suggests a methodology grounded in analytical rigor and a holistic understanding of business and technical challenges.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role (Director level) within the Product Strategy domain, with significant operational responsibilities for project execution and team management. It sits at the intersection of strategy formulation and operational implementation.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to a Partner/Managing Director, indicating a high level of visibility and influence within the organization. This structure allows for direct input into senior leadership decisions and strategic direction.

Operations Impact: The role is pivotal in driving innovation and transformation for client organizations, directly impacting their value creation, growth potential, and market position. Success in this role leads to tangible business outcomes for clients and the firm.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to Managing Director or Partner roles within Proto, leading larger engagements and strategic initiatives.

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific industries or innovation methodologies, becoming a recognized thought leader.

• Team Development: Expand responsibilities for managing larger teams, developing talent, and shaping the operational capabilities of the firm.

• Client Relationship Management: Cultivate and manage key client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor for innovation and transformation challenges.

• Methodology Development: Contribute significantly to the firm's intellectual property and operational frameworks.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Director role is positioned as a critical contributor to Proto's core business. Growth opportunities are tied to both increased strategic scope and expanded leadership responsibilities, aligning with typical career trajectories for senior professionals in consulting and operations leadership. The emphasis on "advancing the practice" suggests opportunities for thought leadership and shaping the firm's future direction.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Proto operates with a hybrid model, encouraging office presence for collaboration, client meetings, and company-wide events, while also supporting remote work.

Office Location(s):

• Primary Office: 120 Broadway, 34th Floor, New York, NY.

• Support for remote work is available to all staff within a 3-hour time zone of the Eastern Standard Time zone. Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The New York office serves as a central point for collaboration, client engagement, and team gatherings.

• Flexibility: Offers both in-office collaboration and remote work options, catering to diverse working preferences.

• Technology-Enabled: Assumed to be equipped with modern technology and tools to support hybrid and remote collaboration.

Work Schedule:

• Core Hours: Generally 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM EST.

• Adaptability: The nature of client service and project deadlines means working hours can fluctuate, requiring flexibility and commitment to deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid and flexible work environment at Proto is designed to balance the benefits of in-person collaboration with the autonomy of remote work. This model is common in professional services firms aiming to attract and retain talent by offering adaptability while maintaining a strong organizational culture and client focus.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of resume and portfolio to assess alignment with role requirements and experience.

• Case Study / Workshop: Likely involves a detailed case study or simulated workshop to evaluate strategic thinking, problem-solving, systems modeling, and communication skills.

• Team Interviews: Discussions with potential peers, direct reports, and senior leaders to assess collaboration style, leadership potential, and cultural fit.

• Executive Interviews: Final interviews with Partners/Managing Directors to discuss strategic vision, client management capabilities, and overall fit for the firm.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio around key projects, clearly articulating the problem, your approach, the solutions developed, and the measurable outcomes.

• Process Demonstration: Showcase your methodology for framing problems, modeling systems, and guiding teams through complex challenges. Use diagrams, flowcharts, and system maps where appropriate.

• Quantifiable Impact: Whenever possible, present data and metrics that demonstrate the business impact of your work (e.g., revenue growth, cost savings, efficiency improvements, successful product launches).

• Client Engagement: Include examples of how you have presented to and influenced senior stakeholders, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.

• Adaptability: Highlight instances where you navigated ambiguity, managed tight timelines, or adapted strategies based on new information.

Challenge Preparation:

• Proto's Business: Research Proto's work, client types, and recent projects to understand their market position and operational focus.

• Industry Trends: Be prepared to discuss current trends in innovation, digital transformation, product strategy, and the challenges faced by large organizations.

• Problem-Solving Frameworks: Refresh your knowledge of common frameworks for strategic analysis, market entry, product development, and operational improvement.

• Systems Thinking Exercises: Practice deconstructing complex business problems into their constituent parts and understanding interdependencies.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the Director-level and strategy-focused nature of this role, the interview process will likely be rigorous, emphasizing both strategic acumen and practical execution capabilities. A well-curated portfolio that clearly demonstrates end-to-end project ownership and measurable impact will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Inferred based on role responsibilities):

• Project Management: Tools like Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or Trello for managing project timelines, tasks, and team workflows.

• Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace for daily communication, document sharing, and virtual meetings.

• Presentation & Visualization: PowerPoint, Keynote, Google Slides, Figma, Miro, Lucidchart for creating compelling narratives, system models, and workshop outputs.

• Research & Analysis: Tools for market research, competitive analysis, and user data analysis (specific tools not mentioned, but proficiency in data interpretation is key).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence: Familiarity with BI tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker) for data analysis and reporting on project performance and business impact.

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management): Understanding of CRM principles and data, potentially Salesforce, for analyzing customer journeys and market segments.

CRM & Automation:

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Productboard, Aha!, or Jira Product Discovery for managing product roadmaps and feature backlogs.

• Prototyping Tools: Software like Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or InVision for creating and testing product concepts.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, the role of Director, Product Strategy requires proficiency in a range of collaboration, project management, and visualization tools. The emphasis on "systems modeling" and "shaping 0-1 solutions" suggests a need for tools that facilitate visual thinking and iterative design. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with tools that support structured problem-solving and cross-functional collaboration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence & Quality: A commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful, and actionable work for clients.

• Collaboration: Fostering a cooperative environment where diverse perspectives are valued and integrated.

• Impact-Driven: Focusing efforts on creating tangible value and driving meaningful transformation for clients.

• Curiosity & Learning: Encouraging continuous learning, exploration of new ideas, and professional development.

• Integrity & Professionalism: Upholding high ethical standards and demonstrating reliability and accountability.

• Agility & Adaptability: Embracing change, navigating ambiguity, and responding effectively to evolving project needs.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: Proactive engagement with design, technology, and commercial teams to ensure holistic solution development.

• Client Partnership: Building strong, trust-based relationships with clients, acting as a strategic advisor.

• Mentorship & Coaching: Investing in the growth and development of team members, fostering a supportive learning environment.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent dialogue, constructive feedback, and the sharing of knowledge and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proto's culture appears to be centered around driving significant impact for clients through strategic innovation and robust execution. The values emphasize a high-performance, collaborative, and continuously learning environment, which is essential for a firm operating at the forefront of organizational transformation.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: The role involves structuring complex, often ill-defined problem spaces and guiding clients through uncertainty.

• Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Synthesizing diverse inputs and perspectives from various teams (design, engineering, commercial) to achieve consensus.

• Driving Client Decisions: Persuading senior executives to adopt new strategies or solutions, often requiring significant change management.

• Balancing Ambition with Feasibility: Developing innovative concepts that are both ambitious and realistically buildable within client constraints.

• Team Development & Management: Leading and mentoring a high-performing team, ensuring consistent quality and efficient delivery.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Developing advanced skills in strategic planning, innovation management, and executive communication.

• Industry Exposure: Gaining deep insights into the challenges and opportunities of various large organizations and industries.

• Methodology Refinement: Contributing to and evolving Proto's proprietary frameworks and approaches to product strategy and transformation.

• Mentorship: Learning from experienced Partners and Managing Directors, and mentoring junior team members.

• Thought Leadership: Opportunities to develop external points of view and contribute to Proto's reputation in the innovation space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges inherent in this role are significant but also represent key growth opportunities. Successfully navigating these complexities will provide a strong foundation for future leadership roles, both within Proto and in the broader industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to structure a complex, ambiguous problem space. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-framing methodology, decision criteria, and impact.)

• "Walk us through a 0-1 product or service concept you helped shape. What were the key technical and commercial considerations?" (Highlight your ability to integrate diverse insights and manage trade-offs.)

• "How do you ensure buy-in and drive decision-making among senior stakeholders who may have differing opinions or priorities?" (Prepare examples of your facilitation and communication skills.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to balance ambitious innovation with practical buildability or client constraints." (Showcase your understanding of real-world implementation.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in Proto and this specific role?" (Research Proto's work, values, and recent projects.)

• "How do you approach leading and developing cross-disciplinary teams?" (Discuss your leadership style, mentorship approach, and experience with diverse skill sets.)

• "What are your thoughts on the current landscape of product innovation or digital transformation for large organizations?" (Demonstrate your industry awareness and strategic perspective.)

• "How do you handle disagreement or pushback from clients or team members?" (Highlight your ability to manage conflict constructively and maintain relationships.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio case studies as compelling narratives with a clear beginning (problem), middle (your strategic approach and execution), and end (impact and learnings).

• Visual Clarity: Use clear, concise visuals (diagrams, charts, mockups) to illustrate complex concepts, systems, and outcomes.

• Focus on "Why" and "How": Beyond just presenting what you did, emphasize why you made certain strategic choices and how you executed them.

• Quantify Impact: Prepare to discuss the measurable business results or strategic value generated by your projects.

• Tailor to Proto: Highlight projects or experiences that directly align with Proto's focus on innovation, transformation, and working with large organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating strategic depth, robust execution capabilities, and strong leadership potential. Candidates should be ready to articulate their methodologies, showcase tangible results, and articulate their understanding of Proto's business and client challenges.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Greenhouse.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight 2-3 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in structuring complex problems, shaping 0-1 solutions, and leading cross-functional teams. Ensure these examples showcase your ability to drive strategic decisions and deliver tangible impact.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize keywords related to product strategy, innovation consulting, systems design, stakeholder management, and project leadership. Quantify achievements wherever possible, using metrics that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experiences through the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Prepare detailed explanations of your strategic frameworks, problem-solving approaches, and leadership style. Rehearse your portfolio presentation, focusing on clear storytelling and impact.

• Company Research: Deeply research Proto's website, client work, and any public statements to understand their mission, values, and approach to innovation. Consider how your skills and experience can best contribute to their client success and internal practice advancement.

⚠️ 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.