VP of Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: VP of Product Strategy Company: Aristocrat Gaming Location: Las Vegas, NV, US (Summerlin) Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Strategy & Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-25T00:00:00 Experience Level: 15+ Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the development and execution of comprehensive global product strategies for Aristocrat Gaming's diverse portfolio, encompassing land-based slot machines, real-money online gaming, and online social casino products.
• Drive product vision and roadmap prioritization for games and technology solutions, ensuring a robust and forward-moving pipeline aligned with corporate objectives and market opportunities.
• Champion and build compelling business cases, collaborating closely with key stakeholders to secure investment and maintain rigorous governance standards for strategic initiatives.
• Foster innovation and market leadership by leveraging deep industry knowledge, data analytics, market research, and a customer-centric approach to identify growth opportunities and optimize product performance.
• Lead and mentor a high-performing team of product strategy professionals, cultivating a culture of teamwork, innovation, continuous learning, and measurable business outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "VP of Product Strategy," the responsibilities clearly indicate a significant operational component, involving the execution and optimization of product pipelines and cross-functional collaboration with operations teams. This role bridges strategic vision with tangible product delivery, requiring a strong understanding of how product strategy translates into operational reality.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define, articulate, and implement cohesive global product strategies that directly align corporate objectives with divisional initiatives across all gaming verticals.
• Drive product roadmap priorities for games and technological solutions, ensuring the continuous development and advancement of robust product pipelines.
• Build and champion persuasive business cases in partnership with key stakeholders to support strategic initiatives, ensuring adherence to established governance standards.
• Collaborate effectively across the organization with development, business development, marketing, and operations teams to ensure seamless product execution and market launch.
• Ensure strategic alignment with overarching company goals while actively fostering innovation, market leadership, and the achievement of measurable business outcomes.
• Leverage extensive industry knowledge, data analytics, market insights, and comprehensive market research to identify new growth opportunities and optimize the performance of existing product portfolios.
• Drive critical process improvements and establish clear product requirements to ensure that all initiatives successfully meet defined strategic goals and market demands.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of product strategy professionals, fostering an environment of teamwork, innovation, and continuous learning to maximize organizational capability.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core responsibilities emphasize strategic planning, cross-functional alignment, and driving product initiatives to successful outcomes. The mention of "operations" collaboration and driving "process improvements" highlights the operational impact of this strategic role, requiring a leader who can translate vision into executable plans with operational efficiency.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Technology, or a closely related field is mandatory.
• An advanced degree or equivalent demonstrated experience in a relevant strategic or operational domain is highly desired.

Experience:

• A minimum of 15+ years of progressive experience within the land-based gaming, online real-money gaming, and/or social gaming sectors is required.
• Extensive experience in product strategy development and/or senior-level product management, ideally within the gaming, entertainment, or digital industries, is essential.

Required Skills:

• Proven capability to set a clear product vision and develop compelling strategic arguments for executive buy-in and stakeholder alignment.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams in the implementation of complex, multi-faceted initiatives.
• Strong leadership acumen with a proven track record of navigating ambiguity, driving innovation, and scaling product portfolios in regulated or rapidly evolving markets.
• Deep understanding of the entire product lifecycle, from ideation and development to launch and ongoing optimization, with sufficient technical fluency to evaluate trade-offs and guide platform direction.
• Exceptional analytical attitude coupled with a strong customer-centric approach, evidenced by a history of data-informed decision-making and strategic execution.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels, from technical teams to executive leadership.
• Demonstrated success in managing and developing high-performing teams, with a focus on enhancing organizational capability and fostering talent growth.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with market entry strategies for new product categories or geographical regions within the gaming sector.
• Familiarity with agile product development methodologies and their application in a large-scale operational environment.
• Proficiency in utilizing advanced analytics platforms and BI tools for product performance tracking and strategic decision-making.
• Experience in competitive analysis and identifying strategic differentiation for product portfolios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The extensive experience requirement (15+ years) and the need for deep industry knowledge suggest this role is critical for shaping Aristocrat's future product direction. The emphasis on "technical fluency" and "evaluating trade-offs" points to a need for a leader who understands the operational implications of product decisions, not just the strategic vision.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a history of defining and successfully implementing product strategies that have demonstrably driven growth and market share within the gaming or related digital entertainment industries.
• Present case studies demonstrating the ability to build robust business cases, secure executive sponsorship, and guide complex initiatives through to successful execution, highlighting the operational impact.
• Provide evidence of experience in managing and optimizing product portfolios across different verticals (e.g., land-based, online real money, social casino), illustrating a strategic approach to resource allocation and investment.
• Illustrate a strong understanding of product lifecycle management and the ability to articulate how product decisions are informed by market research, customer insights, and performance data.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in developing and refining product strategy frameworks and processes that foster innovation while maintaining rigorous governance and alignment with corporate objectives.
• Showcase an ability to define clear product requirements and success metrics that facilitate effective collaboration with development, marketing, and operations teams.
• Provide examples of how you have driven process improvements within product organizations to enhance efficiency, agility, and overall performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role and its strategic impact, candidates are expected to have a portfolio that not only outlines strategic successes but also demonstrates the operational rigor and cross-functional collaboration required to bring those strategies to life. The ability to articulate process improvements and governance adherence is key.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• The provided annual salary range for this position is $252,339 - $468,630 USD.
• 📝 Enhancement Note: This range is competitive for a VP-level executive role in the gaming industry in a major metropolitan area like Las Vegas. The final offer will likely be positioned near the median of this range, contingent on the depth of experience, specific skill alignment, and the candidate's demonstrated impact in previous senior leadership roles. This estimation is based on industry benchmarks for executive compensation in technology-driven entertainment sectors and national averages for VP of Product Strategy roles.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance coverage.
• Dental insurance plan.
• Vision insurance plan.
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) for work-life balance and rejuvenation.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with a valuable employer matching contribution.
• Access to detailed benefits information at atibenefits.com.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time engagement is expected, typically around 40 hours per week, with the understanding that executive-level responsibilities may require flexibility and additional time commitment to meet business needs and strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The benefits package is standard for a senior executive role, emphasizing comprehensive health coverage and retirement savings. The inclusion of PTO supports a balanced approach to work, essential for a role with significant strategic and leadership demands.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Gaming Entertainment & Technology, Mobile Gaming (Free-to-Play). Aristocrat Gaming is a global leader in gaming content and technology, known for its innovative slot machines and a significant presence in the lucrative free-to-play mobile gaming market. Company Size: A large, established global organization, indicated by its broad operational reach and significant employee base. This size offers opportunities for broad impact and complex, cross-functional project engagement. Founded: While the founding date is not explicitly provided, Aristocrat has a long-standing history in the gaming industry, suggesting a culture that balances established stability with a drive for forward-thinking innovation.

Team Structure:

• The role sits within Aristocrat's Global Product Organization, implying a matrixed structure where the VP will likely lead a dedicated product strategy team while collaborating heavily with other functional departments.
• Reporting lines will be to senior executive leadership, likely a C-suite executive (e.g., Chief Product Officer, Chief Executive Officer), underscoring the strategic importance of this function.
• Cross-functional collaboration is a cornerstone, requiring close partnerships with game development studios, technology/engineering teams, business development, marketing, sales, and operational teams to ensure cohesive product execution and market success.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is a core tenet, emphasizing the use of analytics, market research, and player insights to inform product strategy and investment.
• Workflow planning and optimization are crucial, as the role involves driving process improvements and ensuring efficient execution of product initiatives across diverse teams.
• Automation and efficiency practices are likely integrated into how product strategies are developed and implemented, aiming to streamline processes and maximize resource impact.

Company Website: aristocratgaming.com

📝 Enhancement Note: Aristocrat's culture is characterized by a passion for player engagement, data-driven insights, and technology-led innovation. The "relentlessly passionate" descriptor suggests a high-energy, performance-oriented environment. The emphasis on "collective brilliance" and "talent unleashed" points to a collaborative culture that values individual contributions and growth.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior executive leadership position (VP level) responsible for the strategic direction of a significant portion of Aristocrat's product portfolio. It requires a blend of strategic foresight, deep industry expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to influence and execute across a global organization. The scope includes high-level decision-making regarding product investment, market positioning, and innovation. Reporting Structure: The VP of Product Strategy will report to a senior executive, likely within the C-suite (e.g., Chief Product Officer or similar). This ensures direct influence on company-wide strategic planning and resource allocation. The role will also manage a team of product strategy professionals, overseeing their development and performance. Operations Impact: The influence of this role is substantial, directly shaping the future of Aristocrat's gaming products across multiple channels. Successful product strategies will drive revenue growth, market share expansion, and brand positioning, impacting the company's financial performance and long-term competitive advantage. The role requires translating strategic vision into operational realities that deliver measurable business outcomes.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Expansion: Potential to move into higher executive roles (e.g., Chief Product Officer, SVP of Global Product) with broader portfolio responsibilities or to lead entire business units.
• Skill Specialization: Opportunities to deepen expertise in specific gaming verticals (e.g., emerging online real-money gaming markets, advanced social casino monetization) or to develop skills in M&A strategy for product line expansion.
• Leadership Development: Through managing a global team and influencing executive decisions, there are significant opportunities for developing advanced leadership, negotiation, and strategic communication skills. Aristocrat's commitment to "Talent Unleashed" suggests formal and informal development programs may be available.

📝 Enhancement Note: This VP role offers significant visibility and impact, serving as a critical nexus between market opportunity and product execution. The growth trajectory is clearly towards broader executive leadership within Aristocrat or the broader gaming industry, with opportunities for deep specialization in high-growth gaming segments.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is based in Las Vegas, NV, specifically in the Summerlin area, indicating a professional office environment typical for corporate headquarters or major operational hubs in the gaming industry. Office Location(s): The primary stated location is Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV, US. Aristocrat Gaming operates globally, but this specific role is tied to this US-based operational hub.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace will likely be collaborative, requiring close interaction with product teams, R&D, marketing, and other business functions.
• Access to modern technology and data analytics tools will be essential for strategic planning, market analysis, and performance tracking.
• Opportunities for direct interaction with senior leadership and cross-functional teams will be frequent, facilitating strategic alignment and knowledge sharing.

Work Schedule:

• As a VP-level position, a flexible, results-oriented work schedule is expected. While a standard 40-hour week is the baseline, the demands of strategic leadership, global coordination, and potential travel (up to 50%) may necessitate working beyond typical hours. The focus will be on achieving strategic objectives and team performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Las Vegas location is a strategic advantage, placing the role at the heart of a major hub for the gaming industry. The expectation of up to 50% travel indicates a dynamic role that requires engagement with global teams and markets, emphasizing the need for strong time management and adaptability.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely conducted by an HR or Talent Acquisition specialist to assess basic qualifications, experience alignment, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to articulate their career trajectory and key achievements.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into specific product strategy experience, leadership style, and strategic thinking. This stage will focus on how the candidate has driven product innovation and managed teams.
• Panel Interviews: May involve interviews with key stakeholders from development, marketing, operations, and other business units. This assesses cross-functional collaboration skills and the ability to build consensus. Candidates should prepare to discuss how they've worked with these teams.
• Executive Presentation/Case Study: A common step for VP-level roles. Candidates may be asked to present a strategic plan for a specific product area or to analyze a hypothetical business challenge, demonstrating their strategic planning, data analysis, and executive communication skills.
• Final Round: Typically with senior leadership (e.g., CPO, CEO) to finalize the decision, focusing on overall strategic vision, leadership potential, and alignment with company values.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantifiable Impact: Focus on achievements with measurable outcomes. For product strategy, this means showcasing revenue growth, market share gains, successful product launches, or significant improvements in product performance metrics.
• Strategic Frameworks: Clearly articulate the frameworks and methodologies used to develop product strategies and roadmaps. Highlight how data, market research, and customer insights informed these decisions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Include examples that demonstrate effective collaboration with engineering, marketing, sales, and operations teams. Showcase how you translated strategic vision into actionable plans for these departments.
• Leadership and Team Management: Present instances where you successfully built, mentored, and led high-performing teams. Highlight your approach to talent development and fostering a positive team culture.
• Problem-Solving: Include case studies that illustrate your ability to tackle complex challenges, navigate ambiguity, and drive innovation in product development.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Vision: Be prepared to discuss your vision for Aristocrat's product portfolio, identifying potential growth areas and competitive threats.
• Data Analysis & Insights: Anticipate questions requiring you to interpret market data or performance metrics to support strategic recommendations.
• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you have led teams through change, managed underperforming individuals, or fostered innovation.
• Stakeholder Management: Practice articulating complex strategies and gaining buy-in from diverse stakeholders, including senior executives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for a VP role is rigorous, focusing on strategic thinking, leadership, and the ability to translate vision into operational execution. A well-curated portfolio that highlights quantifiable achievements and cross-functional collaboration is crucial for demonstrating suitability.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or similar for roadmap planning, requirements management, and documentation.
• Analytics & Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Proficiency in platforms like Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics, or specialized gaming analytics suites for performance tracking, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) informs customer strategy and product development, though direct management may not be required.
• Market Research & Competitive Analysis Tools: Experience with tools and methodologies for gathering and analyzing market trends, competitor strategies, and player behavior.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for analyzing player behavior, game performance, and financial metrics are critical. This includes understanding how to build and interpret dashboards for key performance indicators (KPIs).

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly managing CRM operations, an understanding of customer data management and the impact of automation on product delivery and player engagement is beneficial. Experience with integration platforms that connect various business systems may also be relevant.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a strong VP of Product Strategy must be adept at leveraging data analytics, BI, and product management platforms to inform strategy and drive execution. A systems-thinking approach is essential for understanding how different technologies integrate to support the product lifecycle.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• All about the Player: A fundamental value that drives product decisions, ensuring that player experience and engagement are at the forefront of strategy development and execution.
• Talent Unleashed: A commitment to fostering an environment where employees can grow, develop, and realize their full potential, particularly relevant for leading and mentoring the product strategy team.
• Collective Brilliance: Encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and leveraging the diverse expertise within teams and across the organization to achieve superior outcomes.
• Good Business Good Citizen: Emphasizes ethical conduct, responsible gameplay, and contributing positively to the communities in which Aristocrat operates, reflecting a commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: The role demands a highly collaborative approach, integrating product strategy seamlessly with the operational realities and goals of development, marketing, sales, and other departments.
• Process Review & Feedback: A culture that encourages open discussion and feedback on processes, strategies, and product performance to facilitate continuous improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing: Practices that promote the dissemination of insights from market research, data analysis, and project learnings across teams to foster a learning organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Aristocrat's values are deeply ingrained in their operational philosophy, emphasizing player-centricity, talent development, collaborative innovation, and responsible business practices. A candidate must demonstrate alignment with these values to succeed in this leadership role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Diverse Portfolios: Strategically managing and prioritizing investments across distinct gaming verticals (land-based, real-money online, social casino) presents a complex challenge requiring nuanced market understanding and resource allocation.
• Navigating Regulatory Landscapes: The gaming industry is heavily regulated, requiring product strategies to be adaptable to evolving legal and compliance requirements across different jurisdictions.
• Driving Innovation in a Competitive Market: The gaming market is highly competitive, demanding continuous innovation in game design, technology, and player engagement to maintain market leadership.
• Global Coordination: Ensuring consistent product strategy execution and alignment across geographically dispersed teams and diverse market conditions requires strong leadership and communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Operations Skill Advancement: Opportunities to deepen understanding of operational execution within the gaming sector, particularly in areas like product launch, go-to-market strategy, and performance monitoring.
• Industry Conferences & Certifications: Access to leading industry events and potential for certifications related to product management, strategy, or gaming technology.
• Operations Mentorship & Leadership: Opportunities to be mentored by senior executives and to develop leadership capabilities through managing a global team and influencing strategic direction.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers the challenge of shaping the future of a leading gaming company's product strategy. The growth opportunities are significant, tied to Aristocrat's global reach and commitment to innovation, allowing for substantial career advancement and skill development in a dynamic industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach developing a unified product strategy that balances the distinct needs and market dynamics of land-based slots, real-money online gaming, and social casino products?" (Focus on your strategic framework, prioritization methods, and how you'd gather insights for each vertical.)
• "Describe a time you had to build a business case for a significant product investment. What was your process, how did you gain stakeholder buy-in, and what was the ultimate outcome?" (Highlight your financial acumen, influencing skills, and ability to articulate ROI.)
• "How do you stay ahead of market trends and technological advancements in the gaming industry, and how do you translate that knowledge into actionable product strategies?" (Showcase your market research skills, analytical approach, and proactive strategy development.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do Aristocrat's stated values (All about the Player, Talent Unleashed, Collective Brilliance, Good Business Good Citizen) resonate with your leadership philosophy and approach to product strategy?" (Connect your past experiences and leadership style to their values.)
• "Describe your experience leading and developing high-performing product strategy teams. What is your approach to fostering innovation and continuous learning within your team?" (Focus on your team-building and mentorship skills.)
• "How do you ensure alignment and effective collaboration with departments like Engineering, Marketing, and Operations when driving product initiatives?" (Provide specific examples of cross-functional project success.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each key achievement in your portfolio, use a STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or similar framework. Clearly articulate the strategic challenge, your role, the actions you took, and the quantifiable results.
• Highlight Operational Impact: For each strategic initiative, explain how it translated into operational execution and what the tangible business outcomes were. Emphasize efficiency gains or process improvements where applicable.
• Data Visualization: If presenting data, use clear and concise visualizations (charts, graphs) to illustrate performance metrics, market trends, and the impact of your strategies.
• Tailor to Aristocrat: Research Aristocrat's current product portfolio, recent announcements, and market position. Frame your examples and insights to demonstrate how you can contribute specifically to their goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation for this role requires a strategic mindset, strong data-driven storytelling, and a clear understanding of how product strategy translates into operational success. Demonstrating leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and alignment with Aristocrat's core values will be key differentiators.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this VP of Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the provided career portal link.
• Curate Your Resume and Portfolio: Tailor your resume to highlight your 15+ years of experience in gaming product strategy, leadership, and driving business outcomes. Ensure your portfolio (if requested or if you can submit supplementary materials) showcases quantifiable achievements in product roadmap development, market analysis, and cross-functional team leadership. Focus on examples that demonstrate your ability to manage diverse product portfolios and drive innovation.
• Research Aristocrat Gaming: Deeply understand Aristocrat's current product offerings across land-based, real-money online, and social casino segments. Familiarize yourself with their market position, competitive landscape, and recent company news. Pay close attention to their stated values and how your leadership style aligns.
• Prepare for Strategic Discussions: Be ready to articulate your vision for Aristocrat's product future, discuss your approach to building business cases, and provide examples of how you've driven product success through data-driven decision-making and effective cross-functional collaboration, particularly with operations teams.
• Practice Executive Communication: Rehearse presenting your experience and strategic thinking in a clear, concise, and impactful manner, as you may be asked to present a case study or strategic overview during the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with Aristocrat Gaming before making application decisions.