Director, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy

Company: Universal Orlando

Location: Orlando, Florida, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy & Commercialization

Date Posted: 2026-07-24

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Leads the strategic vision, development, and commercialization of innovative guest experience products focused on memory capture and personalization.

• Translates long-term product vision into actionable priorities, roadmaps, and execution guidance for a key guest-facing product.

• Drives cross-functional alignment across commercial, technology, operations, creative, and finance teams to ensure product success and business growth.

• Develops and manages the product's business case, financial performance, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track adoption, engagement, and revenue.

• Stays abreast of market trends in entertainment, media, technology, and consumer behavior to identify new product opportunities and drive continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned within Global Brand & Commercial, reporting to a VP, indicating a significant strategic impact on Universal Orlando's commercial product portfolio. The "Universal Moments" product suggests a focus on digital experiences that enhance guest engagement and potentially drive ancillary revenue.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product Strategy and Planning: Define and refine the product strategy, roadmap, and key priorities for Universal Moments, ensuring alignment with overarching business and guest experience goals. Translate strategic objectives into tangible product plans and success metrics.

• Guest Experience and Commercial Strategy: Shape the guest value proposition and optimize the entire guest journey by identifying opportunities to enhance engagement, product adoption, pricing, packaging, and post-visit connection.

• Launch, Operations, and Ongoing Product Leadership: Support launch initiatives, ensure operational readiness, and drive product improvements and potential expansion across various destinations. Clarify requirements, messaging, and feedback loops with cross-functional partners.

• Business Performance and Financial Management: Oversee the product's business performance, including financial projections, investment needs, revenue potential, cost management, and risk assessment. Establish and monitor KPIs for guest satisfaction, engagement, conversion, revenue, and operational efficiency.

• Partner Alignment and Communication: Coordinate efforts across internal stakeholders, ensuring alignment on priorities, roles, decisions, and next steps. Prepare executive-level updates and facilitate clear communication channels among all involved teams.

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify opportunities to enhance the guest experience, business outcomes, product features, and internal processes. Monitor industry trends to inform future product development.

• Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS): Actively participate in and uphold established EHS policies, procedures, and training to ensure a safe working environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic product vision, commercial acumen, and operational execution, requiring a candidate who can bridge the gap between high-level strategy and day-to-day product management. The focus on "Universal Moments" implies a digital product that captures and leverages guest experiences.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred. Experience:

• 10+ years of progressive experience in product strategy, business strategy, commercial strategy, guest/customer experience, digital products, entertainment, hospitality, media, technology, or operations.

• Proven track record of leading or significantly contributing to products or programs from initial planning through execution and ongoing optimization.

• Demonstrable experience in developing comprehensive product plans, business recommendations, performance metrics, and executive-level presentations.

• Experience collaborating effectively with diverse cross-functional teams, including marketing, operations, finance, technology, legal, creative, and analytics departments.

• Experience with guest-facing or customer-facing products, digital experiences, commerce, personalization, loyalty programs, or technology-enabled solutions is highly preferred.

• Prior experience within the theme park, hospitality, travel, media, entertainment, consumer products, or technology industries is advantageous. Required Skills:

• Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving: Ability to analyze complex business challenges, develop innovative solutions, and make sound, data-driven decisions.

• Product Planning & Roadmap Development: Expertise in defining product strategies, creating detailed roadmaps, and prioritizing initiatives based on business value and guest impact.

• Commercial Acumen: Strong understanding of commercial strategies, pricing, packaging, revenue models, and financial performance management.

• Guest/Customer Centricity: Deep understanding of guest journeys, value propositions, and the ability to translate guest insights into product improvements.

• Cross-functional Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to collaborate with, influence, and align diverse teams and stakeholders across different departments and levels.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with a talent for articulating complex concepts clearly to executive leadership and broader teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Digital Product Management: Experience with mobile apps, digital platforms, personalization engines, or e-commerce solutions.

• Entertainment/Hospitality Industry Knowledge: In-depth understanding of guest expectations, operational nuances, and competitive landscape within theme parks, resorts, or entertainment venues.

• Data Analysis & Performance Measurement: Proficiency in defining KPIs, analyzing performance data, and using insights to drive product iteration and business growth.

• Change Management: Experience navigating and implementing product changes within a large, complex organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ years" requirement and preference for an advanced degree suggest this is a senior leadership role. The emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and experience with guest-facing digital products points towards a need for a candidate who can manage complex stakeholder relationships and understand the nuances of digital product development in a large-scale entertainment environment.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase projects demonstrating strategic product planning and roadmap development for guest-facing digital products or experiences.

• Include case studies that illustrate successful commercialization efforts, including pricing, packaging, and revenue generation strategies.

• Present examples of how you've driven improvements in guest experience through product enhancements, supported by data and guest feedback.

• Detail instances of leading or significantly contributing to product launches, including considerations for operational readiness and ongoing support.

• Provide evidence of strong cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management in complex project environments. Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in defining and documenting product strategies, including market analysis, competitive positioning, and long-term vision.

• Showcase methodologies for translating business objectives and guest needs into detailed product requirements and user stories for development teams.

• Illustrate processes for tracking and reporting on key product performance metrics (KPIs), financial outcomes, and operational efficiency.

• Provide examples of how you have established feedback loops and implemented iterative improvements based on guest, team member, and business insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level Product Strategy role, a portfolio should highlight strategic impact and leadership. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their process for defining strategy, managing roadmaps, and driving commercial outcomes, with a strong emphasis on how they leverage data and collaboration to achieve results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Estimated Range: $170,000 - $230,000 annually.

• Methodology: This estimate is based on industry benchmarks for Director-level Product Strategy roles in major U.S. metropolitan areas with a high cost of living, such as Orlando, Florida. Factors considered include the extensive experience requirement (10+ years), the seniority of the role (reporting to a VP), the responsibilities outlined (strategic leadership, commercialization, cross-functional management), and the company's profile (Universal Orlando, a major entertainment and hospitality entity). Salary data was referenced from reputable sources like Glassdoor, LinkedIn Salary, and industry-specific compensation reports, adjusted for the specific geographic location and the scale of the organization.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation Package: Includes base salary, potential annual bonus, and long-term incentive opportunities.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and eligible dependents.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with company matching contributions to support long-term financial security.

• Paid Time Off: Generous vacation, sick leave, and paid holidays to promote work-life balance.

• Employee Discounts: Access to Universal Orlando Resort theme park tickets, merchandise, food, and beverage discounts.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and further education to support career growth.

• Life and Disability Insurance: Company-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability coverage.

• Wellness Programs: Initiatives and resources to support employee health and well-being.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are approximately 40 hours per week.

• Flexibility may be required to accommodate project deadlines, product launches, and cross-time-zone collaboration.

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary, particularly during critical project phases or launch periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimate; actual compensation will be determined by the candidate's specific experience, qualifications, and performance during the interview process. Benefits are typical for large corporations in the U.S. entertainment sector.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Entertainment & Hospitality, Theme Parks, Media & Technology

Company Size: Large Enterprise (10,000+ employees)

Founded: 1990 (Universal Orlando Resort)

Universal Orlando Resort is a premier entertainment destination, renowned for its immersive theme parks, water parks, hotels, and vibrant entertainment district. The company culture emphasizes delivering exceptional guest experiences, fostering innovation, and creating memorable moments for millions of visitors annually. As part of NBCUniversal, it operates within a dynamic media and entertainment landscape.

Team Structure:

• This role sits within the Global Brand & Commercial division, reporting to the VP, Commercial Product Strategy.

• The Product Strategy team likely comprises professionals focused on defining and executing strategies for various guest-facing products and commercial initiatives.

• Close collaboration is expected with dedicated teams in Technology, Operations, Marketing, Creative, Finance, and Legal departments, reflecting a matrixed organizational structure common in large enterprises.

• The team culture likely values creativity, collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and a strong guest-centric approach. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Strategy: Decisions are informed by guest insights, market analysis, performance metrics, and financial modeling.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, the nature of product development in this sector often involves iterative planning, testing, and refinement.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Emphasis on robust communication and collaboration to ensure all stakeholders are aligned on product vision, goals, and execution.

• Guest Experience Focus: All strategic and operational decisions are viewed through the lens of enhancing the guest journey and delivering memorable experiences.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's scale and industry suggest a fast-paced, highly collaborative environment with a strong focus on guest satisfaction and innovation. The role's placement within Global Brand & Commercial highlights its strategic importance in driving revenue and enhancing the overall guest offering.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Director

This level signifies a senior leadership position responsible for defining and driving significant strategic initiatives. As Director, Product Strategy, you will own the strategic direction and commercial success of a key guest experience product. This role demands seasoned expertise in product management, commercial strategy, and cross-functional leadership, with the authority to make critical decisions that impact business outcomes and guest satisfaction.

Reporting Structure:

You will report directly to the VP, Commercial Product Strategy, a senior executive within the Global Brand & Commercial organization. This reporting line provides visibility to executive leadership and opportunities to influence broader organizational strategies. You will also be responsible for leading and mentoring a team (directly or indirectly) of product managers, analysts, or project leads, fostering their development and ensuring the team's success.

Operations Impact:

The Director, Product Strategy plays a pivotal role in shaping Universal Orlando's guest experience and commercial performance. By leading the strategy and development of products like "Universal Moments," you will directly influence guest engagement, spending, and loyalty. Your work will contribute to identifying new revenue streams, optimizing existing commercial models, and ensuring Universal Orlando remains competitive in the dynamic entertainment and hospitality market. The impact extends from immediate guest satisfaction to long-term business growth and brand perception.

Growth Opportunities:

• Senior Leadership Advancement: Potential to progress to VP-level roles within Product Strategy, Commercial Product, or related functional areas within Universal Orlando or NBCUniversal.

• Cross-Functional Mobility: Opportunities to transition into broader roles within marketing, business development, operations, or strategy at a higher organizational level.

• Specialization Deepening: Continued growth within product management, focusing on specific areas like digital platforms, guest analytics, or emerging technologies within the entertainment industry.

• Executive Exposure & Mentorship: Direct interaction with senior leadership provides invaluable learning opportunities and mentorship, fostering leadership capabilities.

• Industry Impact: Contribute to shaping the future of guest experiences in a leading global entertainment brand, offering significant professional recognition and fulfillment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers substantial growth potential within a major entertainment conglomerate. The emphasis on strategic impact and leadership development suggests a clear path for ambitious professionals looking to make a significant mark in the industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid/On-site Corporate Environment

Office Location(s): Orlando, Florida. Specific office details will be provided upon inquiry, but it is assumed to be within Universal Orlando Resort's corporate campus or a dedicated office space in the Orlando area.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Spaces: The corporate environment likely features a mix of open-plan workstations, private offices, and meeting rooms designed to foster collaboration among teams.

• Technology Infrastructure: Access to robust IT infrastructure, including high-speed internet, advanced communication tools, and necessary software for product strategy, data analysis, and project management.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for face-to-face interaction with direct reports, peers, and senior leadership, as well as engagement with teams from technology, marketing, and operations.

• Immersive Environment: Working within a leading theme park and entertainment company provides a dynamic and engaging backdrop, with potential for on-site immersion in the guest experience.

Work Schedule:

• The standard work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week, typical for a full-time role.

• As a Director-level position, flexibility is often expected. This may include occasional evening or weekend work to meet project deadlines, support product launches, or collaborate with teams in different time zones.

• The on-site nature of the role facilitates direct team engagement and participation in critical business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "on-site" requirement emphasizes the importance of in-person collaboration and engagement within Universal Orlando's operational hub. The hybrid aspect suggests a degree of flexibility, but core responsibilities will likely demand consistent presence.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review your application and resume to assess initial qualifications and fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, strategic thinking, leadership style, and understanding of product strategy and commercialization. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your career.

3. Cross-Functional Interviews: You will likely meet with key stakeholders from technology, marketing, operations, and finance. These interviews will assess your ability to collaborate, influence, and understand diverse perspectives.

4. Case Study or Presentation: A common element for Director-level roles. You may be asked to prepare a presentation on a hypothetical product strategy, analyze a business problem, or present a portfolio case study demonstrating your impact.

5. Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior leader (e.g., VP, SVP) to evaluate strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 of your most impactful projects that best demonstrate your experience in product strategy, commercialization, guest experience enhancement, and cross-functional leadership.

• Quantify Your Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the strategy/solution you implemented, and the quantifiable results (e.g., revenue growth, guest satisfaction scores, adoption rates, cost savings). Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

• Showcase Process: Explain your strategic thinking process, how you developed roadmaps, managed trade-offs, and collaborated with teams. Highlight your approach to data analysis and decision-making.

• Tailor to Universal: Research Universal Orlando's current products, guest experience initiatives, and strategic goals. Frame your experience and portfolio examples to show how you can contribute to their specific objectives.

• Presentation Excellence: If a presentation is required, ensure it is well-structured, visually appealing, and clearly communicates your strategic insights and impact. Practice your delivery to be concise and confident.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Scenarios: Be ready to discuss how you would approach defining a product strategy for a new guest service, improving the commercial viability of an existing offering, or addressing a decline in guest engagement.

• Cross-Functional Dynamics: Prepare examples of how you've managed conflicting priorities or navigated complex stakeholder relationships to achieve product goals.

• Financial Acumen: Understand how to build a business case, forecast revenue, and manage product budgets. Be ready to discuss key financial metrics relevant to the entertainment/hospitality industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong portfolio is crucial for this role. Candidates should focus on demonstrating strategic impact, commercial success, and collaborative leadership, using data to support their achievements. The interview process will likely be multi-faceted, assessing both strategic capabilities and interpersonal skills.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Jira, Confluence, Asana, or Monday.com for roadmap planning, requirement management, and project tracking.

• Analytics & Data Visualization: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Tableau, Power BI, or similar platforms for tracking user behavior, segmenting audiences, and visualizing performance data.

• CRM Systems: Salesforce or similar CRM platforms for understanding customer data, segmentation, and potentially influencing sales or loyalty programs.

• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, Office Suite) or Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and team collaboration.

• Prototyping & Design Tools: While not directly using them, familiarity with tools like Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD can be beneficial for understanding design processes and collaborating with UX/UI teams.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in analyzing large datasets to derive actionable insights into guest behavior, product adoption, and commercial performance.

• Experience in defining and tracking Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) such as guest satisfaction scores (e.g., NPS), product engagement rates, conversion funnels, revenue per guest, and ROI.

• Ability to create compelling dashboards and reports for executive leadership and cross-functional teams. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM data informs product strategy and personalization efforts.

• Familiarity with marketing automation platforms (e.g., Marketo, HubSpot) might be beneficial for understanding guest communication strategies and campaign integration.

• Knowledge of API integrations and how different systems (e.g., ticketing, mobile app, e-commerce) connect to create a seamless guest experience.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't detailed, a strong foundation in product management software, data analytics, and collaborative platforms is essential. The ability to interpret data from various sources and translate it into strategic product decisions is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Guest Obsession: A deep commitment to understanding and exceeding guest expectations, ensuring every product and initiative enhances the overall Universal Orlando experience.

• Innovation & Creativity: Encouraging new ideas, embracing calculated risks, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and creative problem-solving.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Valuing diverse perspectives and promoting open communication and mutual support across all departments to achieve shared goals.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizing analytics and insights to inform strategy, measure success, and drive performance improvements.

• Excellence & Accountability: Striving for the highest standards in execution, taking ownership of responsibilities, and delivering on commitments.

• Passion for Entertainment: A genuine enthusiasm for the entertainment and hospitality industry, contributing to a vibrant and engaging work environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Works closely with cross-functional teams as a strategic partner, not just a stakeholder, ensuring alignment and shared ownership of product success.

• Transparent Communication: Openly shares information, insights, and challenges to foster trust and informed decision-making.

• Constructive Feedback: Actively seeks and provides constructive feedback to drive continuous improvement and professional growth within the team and across departments.

• Results-Focused: While valuing the process, the ultimate focus is on achieving measurable business outcomes and delivering exceptional guest experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture at Universal Orlando emphasizes a guest-first approach, innovation, and strong teamwork. Candidates should demonstrate how their values and collaboration style align with these principles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Managing diverse priorities and expectations from various departments (e.g., technology, operations, marketing, finance) to ensure product alignment and successful execution.

• Rapid Industry Evolution: Staying ahead of fast-paced changes in guest expectations, digital technologies, and competitive offerings within the entertainment and hospitality sectors.

• Data Integration & Interpretation: Synthesizing data from multiple disparate sources to gain a holistic view of guest behavior and product performance.

• Driving Adoption in a Large Organization: Ensuring new product features or strategies are effectively adopted by both guests and internal teams across a vast operational landscape.

• Measuring ROI of Experience Enhancements: Quantifying the direct business impact of product features focused on guest experience, which may not always have immediate, direct revenue attribution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Executive Mentorship: Access to senior leaders within Universal Orlando and NBCUniversal for guidance and career development.

• Industry Conferences & Training: Opportunities to attend leading industry events (e.g., IAAPA, product management conferences) and pursue specialized training.

• Cross-Functional Projects: Engaging in high-visibility projects that offer exposure to different business units and strategic challenges.

• Leadership Development Programs: Potential participation in formal leadership development programs designed to hone strategic, operational, and people management skills.

• Exposure to Diverse Product Lines: Opportunity to learn about and contribute to a wide array of products and experiences across Universal Orlando's portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges related to complexity and pace, but these are balanced by robust opportunities for professional growth and impact within a leading global entertainment brand.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a product strategy for a new guest-facing digital product in the entertainment industry."

• "How would you prioritize features for a product like 'Universal Moments' given competing demands from different departments?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to pivot a product strategy based on market changes or performance data. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you approach defining and tracking KPIs for a product that focuses heavily on guest experience and engagement, beyond direct revenue?"

• "What are the key considerations for launching a new digital product within a large, established hospitality/entertainment company?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you most about Universal Orlando and this specific role?"

• "How do you ensure your product strategy aligns with a company's overall brand and mission?"

• "Describe your experience working with operational teams. How do you ensure product initiatives are operationally feasible and well-supported?"

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment when working with diverse teams like technology, marketing, and finance?"

• "What are your thoughts on the current trends in guest experience technology within the theme park industry?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Begin with a high-level overview of your role and the company context for each project. Clearly state the objective, your specific contributions, the strategy/process employed, and the measurable results. Use the STAR method.

• Visuals: Incorporate relevant visuals (e.g., product screenshots, mockups, charts, graphs) to illustrate your points and make your presentation engaging.

• Data Emphasis: Quantify your achievements with specific metrics and ROI where possible. Be prepared to discuss the data sources and analytical methods used.

• Storytelling: Frame your projects as compelling narratives that highlight your strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and impact.

• Conciseness: Be mindful of time. Practice your presentation to be clear, impactful, and within the allotted duration. Highlight your most relevant achievements for this specific role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, commercial acumen, cross-functional leadership, and a deep understanding of the entertainment/hospitality guest experience. Be ready to discuss your process, quantify your impact, and articulate how you align with Universal Orlando's values.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director, Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the Universal Orlando Careers portal via the provided link.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight your 10+ years of experience in product strategy, commercialization, guest experience, and cross-functional leadership, using keywords from the job description. Quantify achievements with specific metrics and business impact.

• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio showcasing 3-5 key projects that demonstrate your strategic planning, product development, commercial success, and ability to drive guest experience improvements, with a focus on quantifiable results.

• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your strategic approach, problem-solving methodologies, and collaboration style using the STAR method. Practice articulating your experience through case studies and be ready for potential presentations.

• Company Research: Thoroughly research Universal Orlando's current products, strategic initiatives, competitive landscape, and company culture to demonstrate your understanding and alignment during interviews.

⚠️ 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.