Director of Product Strategy & Development

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director of Product Strategy & Development

Company: Mediaplanet

Location: New York, New York, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Strategy & Development / Operations

Date Posted: April 15, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid (4 days in office, 1 day remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and strategically drive product development initiatives from conception through launch, leveraging data-driven insights and market research.

• Oversee the entire production lifecycle for print and digital campaigns, ensuring high-quality execution, on-time delivery, and efficient resource allocation.

• Develop and implement robust sales enablement materials and strategies to enhance deal size, improve client retention, and drive overall business growth.

• Manage and mentor a production team, fostering a high-performance culture and promoting continuous professional development within the operations and product functions.

• Own the distribution budget, ensuring cost-effectiveness and optimal resource utilization across all production activities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Director of Product Strategy & Development," the core responsibilities and emphasis on production management, sales enablement, and budget oversight strongly align with a senior-level operations role focused on driving GTM effectiveness and operational excellence within the media and content marketing industry. This role requires a blend of strategic product thinking and hands-on operational execution.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Production Team Management & Oversight: Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the production team, ensuring seamless execution of print and digital campaigns.

• Project Timeline and Workflow Optimization: Oversee project timelines, workflows, and deliverables to guarantee on-time, high-quality execution across all campaigns.

• Process Establishment & Enhancement: Establish and continuously optimize production processes and best practices, focusing on efficiency and scalability for a global content marketing organization.

• Resource Allocation & Budget Management: Effectively allocate resources across projects and priorities, with direct ownership of the distribution budget and associated costs.

• Team Mentorship & Development: Mentor and develop team members, ensuring strong performance, fostering skill development, and promoting career growth within the production and operations functions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate closely with editorial, sales, marketing, and leadership teams to ensure alignment and integrated campaign execution.

• Sales Enablement Material Development: Create comprehensive sales enablement materials, including pitch decks, product one-pagers, and case studies, to articulate clear value propositions.

• Deal Size & Client Retention Support: Partner with sales teams to identify opportunities for increasing deal size and close rates, and support retention efforts through post-sale materials and client-facing insights.

• Product Performance Review & Analysis: Conduct ongoing reviews of existing products to assess performance, identify areas for improvement, and inform product strategy.

• New Product Onboarding & Testing: Oversee the onboarding and rigorous testing of new products and offerings to ensure market readiness and client appeal.

• Market Trend & Client Need Identification: Identify emerging market trends and evolving client needs to guide strategic product development and innovation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a strong operational focus on execution, process optimization, and sales support, indicating that this role is crucial for the Go-To-Market (GTM) engine. The need to translate product offerings into compelling value propositions and support sales directly points to a revenue operations-adjacent function.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Communications, or a related field is generally expected for a Director-level role. Advanced degrees or certifications in Product Management or Operations are advantageous.

Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in product development, production management, or a closely related operations role within the media, publishing, or content marketing industry.

Required Skills:

• Product Development & Lifecycle Management: Proven experience in managing the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and research to testing, launch, and ongoing optimization.

• Production Management Expertise: Demonstrated ability to oversee complex print and digital production workflows, manage timelines, and ensure high-quality output for marketing campaigns.

• Strategic Planning & Research: Strong analytical and research skills to inform product strategy, market positioning, and identify new business opportunities.

• Sales Enablement & Collateral Creation: Proficiency in developing compelling sales enablement materials (pitch decks, one-pagers, case studies) that effectively communicate value propositions.

• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Experience leading, managing, and developing teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment.

• Budget Management & Financial Acumen: Ability to manage distribution budgets, control costs, and make data-driven decisions regarding resource allocation.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills to effectively partner with editorial, sales, marketing, and executive leadership teams.

• Client Retention & Business Growth: A track record of contributing to client retention and supporting business growth through product strategy and sales support.

Preferred Skills:

• Content Marketing Industry Knowledge: Deep understanding of the content marketing landscape, including current trends, client needs, and competitive dynamics.

• Data Analysis & Performance Metrics: Proficiency in using data analytics tools to track product performance, campaign effectiveness, and client engagement metrics.

• Agile or Lean Methodologies: Familiarity with Agile or Lean principles for product development and production process optimization.

• CRM and Sales Technology Proficiency: Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) and sales enablement platforms.

• Global Operations Experience: Exposure to managing operations or production in an international context.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for 10+ years of experience, coupled with leadership responsibilities and strategic oversight, positions this as a senior-level role. The emphasis on translating insights into actionable sales materials and supporting client retention suggests a strong GTM operations component.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Product Strategy Case Studies: Showcase examples of successful product development initiatives, detailing the research, strategy, launch process, and resulting business impact (e.g., revenue growth, market share).

• Production Process Optimization Examples: Present case studies or documentation demonstrating how you have improved production workflows, reduced timelines, enhanced quality, or managed budgets effectively.

• Sales Enablement Material Samples: Include examples of pitch decks, product one-pagers, or case studies you have developed, highlighting their clarity, persuasive power, and alignment with sales objectives.

• Performance Metrics & ROI Demonstrations: Provide evidence of how you have tracked and improved key performance indicators (KPIs) related to product performance, campaign success, and client retention, demonstrating ROI.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design and Optimization: Be prepared to discuss and potentially illustrate your approach to designing, documenting, and optimizing complex production and product development workflows.

• Implementation and Automation Methods: Demonstrate understanding of how to implement new processes, technologies, or automation to improve efficiency and reduce manual effort in production and product management.

• Measurement and Performance Analysis: Explain your methods for establishing performance benchmarks, collecting data, and analyzing results to drive continuous improvement in product and production operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Director-level role focused on strategy and development within an operations context, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only showcase past achievements but also demonstrate a structured approach to problem-solving, process improvement, and strategic thinking relevant to GTM and product operations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $120,000 annual salary.

Benefits:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

• Retirement Savings Plan: 401(k) plan with potential company match.

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

• Professional Development: Opportunities for training, conferences, and skill enhancement relevant to product strategy and operations.

• Hybrid Work Model: Flexibility with a hybrid work arrangement, allowing for a balance between in-office collaboration and remote work.

• Employee Assistance Program: Support services for personal and professional well-being.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with an expectation of being in the New York office at least 4 days per week (Monday-Thursday). Flexibility may be offered on remote days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary of $120,000 aligns with a Director-level position in New York City for a role involving significant responsibility in product strategy and operational management within the media/content marketing sector. Benefits are typical for a full-time role in a company of this size.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Content Marketing & Media. Mediaplanet is a global leader in creating integrated content marketing campaigns, partnering with over 15,000 clients worldwide to manage the entire value chain from concept to distribution. As part of the Caybon group, they have a significant international presence.

Company Size: Mediaplanet, as part of Caybon, operates with a considerable global footprint, suggesting a medium to large enterprise structure with multiple offices across Europe and North America. This implies established processes but also opportunities for impact within specific markets like the US.

Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Mediaplanet's established position and global reach suggest decades of operation, fostering a culture of expertise and established best practices within content creation and distribution.

Team Structure:

• Operations & Production Unit: This role likely leads a dedicated production team responsible for the execution of print and digital campaigns, working closely with editorial and sales.

• Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Managing Director of the US market, indicating a key strategic role within the regional leadership team.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Operates within a matrixed environment, requiring strong collaboration with sales, editorial, marketing, and potentially global product teams.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on research, data analysis, and insights to inform product strategy and sales enablement.

• Integrated Production: Focus on managing the full value chain of content production and distribution for clients.

• Client-Centric Approach: Drive for client retention and business growth through effective product offerings and sales support.

Company Website: https://careers.mediaplanet.com

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's focus on content marketing and its global presence suggests a dynamic, results-oriented environment. For a Director of Product Strategy & Development, understanding how product innovation and operational efficiency directly impact GTM success and client satisfaction will be key.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership position, a Director-level role, responsible for strategic product direction and operational execution of production. It sits at a critical intersection of product management, operations, and sales enablement, requiring a blend of strategic vision and tactical execution.

Reporting Structure: Reporting to the Managing Director of the US market places this role within the senior leadership team of the US operations, with significant visibility and influence on regional strategy and performance.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on revenue by developing and positioning products effectively, enabling sales teams to close larger deals, and improving client retention through high-quality campaign execution and compelling product narratives. Operational efficiency in production directly affects profitability and delivery timelines.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to expand scope to oversee broader product portfolios or GTM operations within the US market or globally.

• Executive Leadership Track: Advancement to VP-level roles or Managing Director positions, leveraging a deep understanding of product, operations, and market dynamics.

• Specialization Development: Opportunity to deepen expertise in specific areas like digital product innovation, advanced production technologies, or international market expansion strategies.

• Mentorship & Team Building: Continued development in leadership by building and scaling high-performing operations and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for career progression within a global organization, particularly for individuals aiming for executive leadership in operations, product, or general management within the media and content marketing space. The hybrid nature also reflects modern workplace expectations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Mediaplanet's NYC office is located in the Flatiron district, a prime business area known for its accessibility and vibrant ecosystem. The office environment is described as requiring presence at least 4 days a week, suggesting a collaborative, in-person culture.

Office Location(s): 18th Floor, 350 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001. This location offers excellent access to public transportation and is situated in a hub for various industries.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The office environment is designed to foster collaboration, crucial for a role that requires close work with sales, editorial, and leadership teams.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard office technology and potentially specialized production and project management software necessary for campaign execution.

• Team Interaction: Frequent opportunities for direct interaction with production teams, sales leadership, and other key stakeholders, facilitating efficient communication and problem-solving.

Work Schedule: A standard full-time work schedule of approximately 40 hours per week, with a hybrid model allowing for 1 day of remote work. This structure aims to balance in-office collaboration needs with personal flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a strong emphasis on in-office presence (4 days/week) indicates a company that values face-to-face collaboration, team cohesion, and the benefits of spontaneous interaction in a dynamic industry like media and content marketing.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or hiring manager conducts an initial review of applications and resumes, focusing on experience level, relevant skills, and alignment with core responsibilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: In-depth discussion with the Managing Director to assess strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and understanding of the role's impact on US market objectives.

• Portfolio Review & Presentation: Candidates will likely present a curated selection of their work, showcasing product strategy case studies, production process improvements, and sales enablement materials. This stage assesses practical application of skills and communication effectiveness.

• Cross-functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from sales, editorial, or other relevant departments to evaluate collaboration skills and understanding of interdependencies.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a higher-level executive or final confirmation interview with the Managing Director.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio logically, grouping projects by type (e.g., Product Strategy, Production Efficiency, Sales Enablement).

• Quantify Achievements: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your role, the actions taken, and the measurable results (e.g., increased deal size by X%, reduced production time by Y%, improved client retention by Z%).

• Highlight Process: For production and development roles, showcase your methodology – how you approach problem-solving, implement changes, and manage workflows.

• Tailor to Mediaplanet: Demonstrate an understanding of Mediaplanet's business model and industry. Frame your experiences in a way that shows how you can contribute to their specific goals in content marketing and global campaigns.

• Conciseness is Key: Be prepared to present your most impactful work concisely, focusing on the most relevant examples for this Director role.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy Case Study: Be ready to discuss how you would approach developing a new product offering for Mediaplanet, considering market trends, client needs, and competitive landscape.

• Production Process Improvement Scenario: Prepare to outline how you would diagnose and improve a bottleneck in a print or digital campaign production workflow.

• Sales Enablement Strategy: Be prepared to discuss how you would develop a sales enablement strategy to increase average deal size for a specific type of campaign Mediaplanet offers.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and potential case study challenges indicates that Mediaplanet values practical demonstration of skills and strategic thinking over theoretical knowledge alone for this senior role.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management Software: Proficiency with tools like Asana, Monday.com, Jira, or similar platforms for managing complex campaign production timelines and workflows.

• CRM Systems: Experience with CRM platforms such as Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar, for understanding sales pipelines, client data, and supporting sales enablement.

• Content Management Systems (CMS): Familiarity with CMS platforms for digital content, though specific Mediaplanet systems may vary.

• Collaboration Suites: Expertise in tools like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for document creation, communication, and team collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Web Analytics Tools: Familiarity with Google Analytics or Adobe Analytics for tracking digital campaign performance and product engagement.

• Data Visualization Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Google Data Studio for creating dashboards and insightful reports for stakeholders.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Ability to leverage BI platforms for deeper data analysis and strategic insights.

CRM & Automation:

• Sales Enablement Platforms: Experience with platforms that deliver content and insights to sales teams (e.g., Seismic, Highspot), or the ability to create such materials effectively.

• Marketing Automation Tools: Understanding of how marketing automation supports campaign delivery and client engagement, though direct management may not be required.

• Product Management Tools: Familiarity with tools that support product roadmapping and lifecycle management.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't mentioned, the role implies a need for proficiency in standard project management, CRM, analytics, and collaboration tools common in media, marketing, and operations environments. The ability to leverage data for strategic decision-making is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Results-Oriented: A strong focus on achieving measurable outcomes, driving revenue growth, and ensuring successful campaign execution.

• Data-Driven Innovation: Commitment to using research, analytics, and insights to inform product strategy and continuous improvement.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and meeting client needs, fostering strong relationships, and supporting client retention.

• Efficiency & Optimization: A mindset geared towards streamlining processes, optimizing workflows, and managing resources effectively.

• Collaboration & Communication: Emphasis on working effectively across departments, sharing knowledge, and maintaining open lines of communication.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Partnership: Expect a collaborative approach where this role actively partners with sales, editorial, and leadership to achieve common goals.

• Proactive Communication: Openness to sharing insights, providing feedback, and proactively addressing challenges to ensure alignment and smooth project execution.

• Team Empowerment: A leadership style that aims to empower the production team, foster skill development, and encourage ownership of deliverables.

📝 Enhancement Note: Mediaplanet's global presence and content marketing focus suggest a culture that values creativity, strategic execution, and strong client relationships. The operational aspect of this role will thrive in an environment that supports data-informed decisions and continuous improvement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Execution: Effectively leading the development of new products while ensuring the efficient and high-quality execution of ongoing campaigns.

• Cross-functional Alignment: Navigating and aligning priorities across diverse departments (Sales, Editorial, Production) to achieve unified GTM and product strategies.

• Market Volatility: Adapting product strategy and production methods to rapidly changing market trends and client demands in the content marketing industry.

• Resource Optimization: Managing budgets and allocating resources effectively across multiple projects and competing priorities to maximize ROI.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Product Leadership: Deepen expertise in product strategy, market analysis, and go-to-market planning for global media companies.

• Operational Excellence: Enhance skills in process optimization, team leadership, and budget management within a large-scale content production environment.

• Industry Exposure: Gain exposure to a wide range of clients and industries through Mediaplanet's diverse campaign portfolio.

• Executive Mentorship: Benefit from guidance and mentorship from senior leadership, including the Managing Director of the US market.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents significant challenges and corresponding growth opportunities, particularly for those looking to advance into broader executive leadership roles within the media and content industry, by mastering both strategic product direction and operational execution.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to developing a new product strategy from market research to launch, and how you would measure its success." (Focus on data-driven insights, market analysis, and KPI definition.)

• "How have you managed production teams and workflows to ensure both quality and efficiency in a fast-paced environment? Provide a specific example." (Highlight process optimization, team leadership, and problem-solving.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What excites you about Mediaplanet's position in the content marketing industry, and how do you see product strategy contributing to our growth?" (Demonstrate research into the company and industry.)

• "How do you foster a collaborative environment between product development, production, and sales teams?" (Emphasize cross-functional communication and partnership skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Executive Summary: Begin with a high-level overview of your most impactful projects, highlighting key achievements and relevance to Mediaplanet's business.

• Deep Dive on 2-3 Key Projects: Select projects that best demonstrate your product strategy, production management, and sales enablement skills. For each, clearly articulate the problem, your solution, your role, and the quantifiable outcomes.

• Process & Tools: Be prepared to discuss the processes and tools you utilized to achieve these results, demonstrating your operational expertise.

• Future-Oriented: Conclude by briefly discussing how your experience and approach can benefit Mediaplanet's future product development and production efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational leadership, a data-driven approach, and a clear understanding of how product development and production directly contribute to sales effectiveness and client retention in the content marketing space.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director of Product Strategy & Development position:

• Submit your application through the Mediaplanet careers portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight your 10+ years of experience in product development, production management, and sales enablement. Quantify achievements wherever possible, focusing on metrics related to revenue growth, client retention, efficiency improvements, and team leadership.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 compelling case studies that showcase your product strategy process, production optimization successes, and sales enablement material development. Be ready to present these, emphasizing measurable results and your specific contributions.

• Research Mediaplanet: Understand their business model, client base, and recent campaigns. Consider how your skills can address their specific needs in the content marketing space.

• Practice Interview Questions: Prepare thoughtful answers to strategy, leadership, and situational questions, drawing from your experience and aligning them with Mediaplanet's stated values and business objectives.

⚠️ 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.

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