Director, Product Strategy (Innovation & Portfolio Expansion)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Director, Product Strategy (Innovation & Portfolio Expansion)

Company: Experian

Location: Virtual, Colorado, CO, United States

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Product Strategy & Operations / Go-To-Market Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-13T22:01:38.22

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: Remote Eligible

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the strategic development and commercialization of next-generation products within Identity, Marketing Data, Audience, and Activation solutions.

• Drive innovation by identifying, shaping, testing, and scaling new product opportunities that unlock incremental revenue and expand market reach.

• Act as a market-facing strategist, bridging client needs, market trends, and emerging technologies to define future product roadmaps.

• Collaborate extensively with Product Management, Sales, Business Development, Data Science, and Engineering to bring novel product concepts from ideation to successful market launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Director, Product Strategy," the description emphasizes "innovation, commercialization, and horizon expansion" rather than traditional product management. This role is heavily focused on identifying and validating new opportunities and markets, suggesting a strong GTM strategy and early-stage product development focus, aligning with a strategic operations or GTM operations function.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Identify and conceptualize new product offerings that address significant unmet market needs and deliver tangible client value.

• Develop comprehensive business cases for new product initiatives, including detailed market sizing (TAM), revenue potential projections, and required investment analysis.

• Define and articulate innovative pricing and packaging strategies that align with customer value propositions and competitive market positioning.

• Engage directly with key stakeholders, including advertisers, brands, agencies, and partners, to deeply understand their evolving needs and challenges.

• Apply structured strategic frameworks, such as Jobs-to-Be-Done, to rigorously differentiate scalable, high-potential opportunities from ad-hoc client requests.

• Drive cross-portfolio innovation by identifying synergistic opportunities to combine Experian's identity, data, and activation capabilities into unique, differentiated offerings.

• Proactively identify whitespace opportunities across key industries like Retail, Financial Services, Healthcare, B2B, and Automotive, as well as emerging verticals.

• Partner closely with existing product teams to ensure seamless transition of validated concepts into their roadmap execution and scaled delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on market analysis, business case development, and strategic planning, which are core to GTM Operations and Product Strategy functions. The focus on "commercialization" and "horizon expansion" points to a role that bridges product ideation with market readiness and sales enablement.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Technology, or a related field is typically expected for a Director-level role. A Master's degree or MBA would be a significant advantage.

Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in AdTech, MarTech, or closely related technology and data industries. A minimum of 2 years of direct experience within the Retail Media landscape is specifically required.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Innovation: Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, and validate new product opportunities and market strategies.

• AdTech/MarTech Expertise: Deep understanding of advertising technology and marketing technology ecosystems, including key players and trends.

• Retail Media Experience: Specific, hands-on experience with retail media networks, their capabilities, and market dynamics.

• Client/Marketer Acumen: Direct experience working with or for brands/advertisers, demonstrating a strong grasp of marketer needs, objectives, and challenges.

• Audience Activation & Identity: Robust knowledge of audience segmentation, activation strategies, and identity resolution principles.

• First-Party Data Strategies: Expertise in leveraging and strategizing around first-party data for marketing and activation purposes.

• Platform Knowledge: Familiarity with Demand-Side Platforms (DSPs), Supply-Side Platforms (SSPs), and major social media advertising platforms.

• AI & Emerging Technologies: Understanding of how AI capabilities can be integrated into new solutions to drive value and competitive advantage.

• Business Case Development: Demonstrated skill in creating compelling business cases, including market sizing (TAM), revenue forecasting, and ROI analysis.

• Market Sizing & Revenue Modeling: Proficiency in quantitative analysis and financial modeling to assess the viability and potential of new ventures.

• Structured Thinking: Ability to apply frameworks like Jobs-to-Be-Done to dissect complex problems and identify scalable solutions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in strategic partnerships and business development.

• Familiarity with Experian's existing product suite and data capabilities.

• Strong presentation and storytelling skills for executive-level communication.

• Experience with agile product development methodologies.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications emphasize a blend of strategic thinking, deep industry knowledge (AdTech, MarTech, Retail Media), and practical experience with specific technologies and data strategies. The "10+ years" implied experience level suggests a need for leadership and strategic vision beyond just technical proficiency.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Framework Application: Showcase examples where structured thinking (e.g., Jobs-to-Be-Done, Porter's Five Forces) was used to identify and validate market opportunities.

• Business Case Documentation: Include anonymized examples of business cases developed for new product initiatives, highlighting market sizing, revenue projections, and strategic rationale.

• Product Concept Development: Present conceptual frameworks or initial product designs for innovative solutions, demonstrating an understanding of market needs and technical feasibility.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Illustrate instances of successful collaboration with diverse teams (e.g., Sales, Engineering, Data Science) in bringing a strategic concept forward.

Process Documentation:

• Market Opportunity Analysis: Detail the process used to identify, research, and prioritize new market opportunities and potential product expansions.

• Solution Validation: Document the methodology for testing and validating new product concepts with target customers and stakeholders.

• Go-To-Market Strategy Input: Outline how strategic product insights inform the development of go-to-market plans, including pricing, packaging, and positioning.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on innovation and portfolio expansion, a portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, market analysis, and the ability to translate ideas into viable business propositions is crucial. The emphasis should be on the process of innovation and strategic validation, not just finished products.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $153,075 - $275,535 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation: Includes a base salary, bonus plan, and potential for variable pay.

• Core Health Benefits: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

• Retirement Savings: Matching 401K plan to support long-term financial goals.

• Flexible Work Environment: Options for remote, hybrid, or in-office work arrangements.

• Generous Time Off: Flexible time off policies, including vacation, sick leave, volunteer time off, and 12 paid holidays.

• Additional Perks: Access to a wide range of exciting benefits detailed on the Experian benefits portal.

Working Hours: The role is listed as Full-Time, typically equating to 40 hours per week. The flexible work environment suggests potential for adaptability in scheduling, provided business needs and collaboration with global teams are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and appears to be for the US market. The listed benefits are standard for a large, established tech company like Experian, with a particular emphasis on flexibility and work-life balance, aligning with their "people-first" culture.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Experian operates in the global data and technology sector, with a significant presence in financial services, healthcare, automotive, agribusiness, and insurance. They leverage data, analytics, and software to provide solutions for credit reporting, fraud prevention, marketing, and more. This broad industry reach means the operations team must be adaptable and understand diverse market needs.

Company Size: Experian is a large, publicly traded company (FTSE 100 Index) with approximately 22,500 employees across 32 countries. This scale implies robust processes, established governance, and opportunities for significant impact but also requires navigating complex organizational structures.

Founded: Experian plc's origins can be traced back to the late 1980s, with its current form emerging through various mergers and acquisitions. Its long history signifies stability and deep market expertise.

Team Structure:

• Product Organization: The role reports to the SVP Product, indicating a senior leadership position within the product organization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role is designed to work closely with Product Management, Sales, Business Development, Data Science, and Engineering teams, highlighting a highly collaborative, matrixed environment.

• Innovation Hub: The role likely sits within or closely interfaces with an innovation-focused team or function dedicated to exploring new market opportunities and product lines.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Experian's core business relies on data, so expect a strong emphasis on data analytics, market research, and quantitative analysis to inform strategy.

• Client-Centric Approach: The description explicitly mentions understanding client needs and translating challenges into solutions, indicating a focus on customer value.

• Structured Innovation: The mention of "structured thinking (e.g., Jobs-to-Be-Done)" suggests a systematic approach to innovation and product development.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Experian's global presence and diverse industry focus mean that operational strategies must be scalable and adaptable. The emphasis on their "people-first" approach and recognition as a great workplace suggests a culture that values employee well-being and development.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Director-level position, signifying a senior leadership role with significant strategic responsibility. It requires a seasoned professional capable of driving complex initiatives, influencing cross-functional teams, and contributing to the company's long-term growth vision. The focus on "innovation and portfolio expansion" places it at the forefront of strategic GTM planning.

Reporting Structure: The role reports directly to the SVP Product, providing high visibility and direct access to senior leadership. This structure allows for strategic input and influence at the executive level.

Operations Impact: The core impact of this role is on driving new revenue streams and market expansion for Experian. By identifying and commercializing innovative product opportunities, the Director will directly influence the company's future growth trajectory, competitive positioning, and overall market leadership in its key verticals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop and refine strategic leadership skills by shaping the future product portfolio and market entry strategies.

• Industry Influence: Gain deep expertise and influence within the AdTech, MarTech, and Retail Media sectors, becoming a thought leader in product innovation.

• Executive Visibility: Build strong relationships and gain visibility with senior executives, paving the way for future executive-level opportunities within Experian or the broader industry.

• Cross-Functional Mastery: Enhance capabilities in collaborating with and influencing diverse teams across Product, Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and Data Science.

• Portfolio Management: Grow expertise in managing and expanding a complex product portfolio, from ideation through commercialization.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a strategic growth engine for Experian. Successful performance could lead to executive roles focused on product, strategy, or business unit leadership, with opportunities to expand into larger portfolio responsibilities or new market ventures.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The position allows for a flexible work environment, including remote, hybrid, or in-office arrangements. This indicates a modern, trust-based work culture that prioritizes results over physical presence.

Office Location(s): While the job posting lists "Virtual, Colorado, CO, United States," Experian has numerous offices globally. This remote-eligible role likely means the primary administrative location might be within the US, but the work can be performed from various locations within the country.

Workspace Context:

• Flexibility & Autonomy: Expect a work environment that offers significant autonomy and flexibility, empowering individuals to manage their schedules and work locations effectively.

• Technology-Enabled Collaboration: As a global technology company, the workspace will be heavily reliant on digital collaboration tools to connect remote and hybrid teams.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: The role necessitates constant interaction with various internal departments, fostering a dynamic and collaborative work setting focused on shared strategic goals.

Work Schedule: While a standard full-time schedule (40 hours/week) is expected, the emphasis on flexibility suggests that core working hours may be adaptable, allowing for asynchronous collaboration with global teams and personal work-life balance management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Virtual, Colorado" location, combined with "Remote OK," suggests that while there might be a nominal US base, the role is truly remote-first within the US. Candidates should confirm specific location requirements or preferences if they have them during the application process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will likely conduct an initial call to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into your experience, strategic thinking, and understanding of the AdTech/MarTech landscape. Expect questions about your approach to innovation and market analysis.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Interviews with peers or leaders from Sales, Product, or Business Development to evaluate collaboration skills and strategic alignment.

• Case Study/Presentation: A common step for strategy roles. You may be asked to prepare a presentation on a new product opportunity, market entry strategy, or a response to a specific business challenge.

• Executive Interview: Potentially an interview with the SVP Product or another senior leader to assess strategic vision and executive presence.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Strategic Impact: Highlight projects where your strategic input led to tangible business outcomes, such as new market entry, significant revenue growth, or successful product commercialization.

• Showcase the "Why" and "How": For each project, clearly articulate the problem statement, your strategic approach, the methodologies used (e.g., market sizing, JTBD), the challenges faced, and the measurable results.

• Demonstrate Innovation: Include examples of identifying novel opportunities, developing new concepts, or challenging existing paradigms.

• Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use data and metrics to demonstrate the impact of your work (e.g., projected revenue, market share gained, customer adoption rates).

• Tailor to Experian: Research Experian's current market position, strategic priorities, and recent product launches to frame your portfolio examples in a way that resonates with their business objectives.

Challenge Preparation:

• Market Analysis & Opportunity Identification: Be prepared to discuss how you identify and validate new market opportunities, including competitive analysis and market sizing techniques.

• Product Strategy & Commercialization: Practice articulating your approach to developing product strategies, defining value propositions, and planning for commercialization.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated with diverse teams to achieve strategic goals.

• Understanding Experian's Business: Thoroughly research Experian's business units, key products, competitive landscape, and strategic initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, expect interviews to be heavily focused on strategic thinking, problem-solving, and your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. A well-curated portfolio that showcases strategic impact and innovation will be critical.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Proficiency with Salesforce or similar CRM platforms for understanding customer data, sales pipelines, and market engagement.

• Business Intelligence & Analytics Tools: Experience with tools like Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or custom internal dashboards for data analysis, market sizing, and performance tracking.

• Product Management & Roadmapping Tools: Familiarity with tools such as Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for managing product concepts and roadmaps.

• Collaboration & Project Management: Expertise in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Asana, or Trello for team communication and project oversight.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Software: SQL for data extraction and manipulation, Python/R for advanced analytics and modeling.

• Market Research Platforms: Access to and ability to interpret data from industry-specific market research providers (e.g., Gartner, Forrester, IDC).

• Financial Modeling Software: Advanced Excel skills for building business cases, revenue models, and ROI calculations.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Understanding of how platforms like Marketo, HubSpot, or Pardot integrate with broader marketing and data strategies.

• Data Management Platforms (DMPs) & Customer Data Platforms (CDPs): Familiarity with these technologies as they relate to audience activation and data strategy.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's focus on strategy, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration implies a need for proficiency in standard enterprise software for CRM, BI, project management, and potentially data science/analytics tools. The ability to work with data and translate it into strategic insights is paramount.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Curiosity: A drive to explore new ideas, challenge the status quo, and continuously learn about market trends and emerging technologies.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A commitment to using data and analytics to inform strategic decisions, validate hypotheses, and measure impact.

• Client Focus: A dedication to understanding and addressing the needs of clients (advertisers, brands, agencies) to deliver valuable solutions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: A belief in working effectively across teams, fostering strong relationships, and achieving shared goals through collective effort.

• Strategic Impact: A focus on driving meaningful business outcomes, such as revenue growth, market expansion, and competitive differentiation.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a highly collaborative environment where close partnerships with Product, Sales, Business Development, Data Science, and Engineering are essential for success.

• Open Communication: A culture that encourages open dialogue, constructive feedback, and transparent sharing of ideas and insights.

• Action-Oriented: A bias towards action, moving from ideation to validation and execution efficiently while maintaining strategic rigor.

📝 Enhancement Note: Experian's stated values and recognition as a "Great Place to Work" suggest a culture that prioritizes employee well-being, inclusivity, and professional development, alongside business objectives. The emphasis on "people-first" likely translates into a supportive and collaborative team environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Balancing the need for agility and rapid innovation with the processes and structures of a large, established global company.

• Market Volatility: Adapting strategies to the fast-paced and ever-changing landscape of AdTech, MarTech, and data privacy regulations.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Ensuring buy-in and alignment across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities.

• Validating Unproven Concepts: The inherent challenge of taking novel, often unproven, ideas and demonstrating their market viability and business potential.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Skill Enhancement: Deepen expertise in product strategy, market analysis, business case development, and go-to-market planning.

• Industry Exposure: Gain broad exposure to various industry verticals that Experian serves, understanding their unique data and marketing challenges.

• Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone leadership skills in influencing without direct authority and managing strategic initiatives.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from senior leaders within Experian's product and strategy organizations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is designed for individuals who thrive on tackling complex strategic challenges and enjoy driving growth in dynamic markets. The challenges presented are typical for senior strategy roles in large enterprises, offering significant opportunities for professional development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you identified a significant new market opportunity. How did you validate it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your process: market research, validation methods, business case, impact.)

• "How would you approach developing a new product strategy for Experian within the Retail Media space, considering current market trends and competitive pressures?" (Demonstrate structured thinking, knowledge of the industry, and understanding of Experian's potential role.)

• "Walk me through your process for developing a business case for a new product. What key elements do you include, and how do you assess potential ROI?" (Highlight your quantitative and strategic assessment skills.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Experian's current product offerings, and where do you see opportunities for innovation and expansion?" (Research Experian's business units, recent news, and stated strategic goals.)

• "How do you foster collaboration between product, sales, and engineering teams for new product initiatives?" (Prepare examples of successful cross-functional teamwork.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each project, clearly state the problem, your strategic approach, the methodology, your role/contribution, the key challenges, and the quantifiable results.

• Focus on Strategic Thinking: Emphasize the why behind your decisions and the strategic rationale, not just the technical execution.

• Quantify Impact: Use metrics and data to back up your claims about success and business impact.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your methodology, assumptions, and decision-making process.

• Tailor to the Role: Highlight experiences most relevant to product strategy, innovation, market expansion, and the AdTech/MarTech/Retail Media space.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will likely be rigorous, focusing on strategic acumen, industry knowledge, and your ability to articulate complex ideas and demonstrate tangible impact. Preparing case studies and being ready to discuss your strategic frameworks will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Director, Product Strategy position at Experian:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Experian careers portal.

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 2-3 key projects that best showcase your strategic thinking, innovation, market analysis, and business case development skills. Ensure these examples highlight your experience in AdTech, MarTech, or Retail Media.

• Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the required experience (8+ years in AdTech/MarTech, 2+ years in Retail Media), specific skills (audience activation, identity, first-party data, business case development), and quantifiable achievements relevant to product strategy and market expansion.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Practice articulating your career story and how your experience aligns with the role's responsibilities. Be ready to discuss your approach to innovation, market validation, and cross-functional collaboration.

• Research Experian: Thoroughly understand Experian's business units, product offerings, strategic priorities, and competitive landscape. Identify how your skills and experience can contribute to their innovation and portfolio expansion goals.

⚠️ 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.