VP, Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: VP, Product Strategy Company: Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Location: Phoenix, Arizona, United States Job Type: FULL_TIME Category: Product Strategy & Operations Date Posted: 2025-09-24T01:52:00 Experience Level: 7-10 Years

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the long-term product vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise goals and client value, leveraging strong product operations principles.
• Oversee the end-to-end product lifecycle, with a focus on integrating AI-powered solutions and ensuring their practical, compliant, and impactful delivery.
• Lead and develop a team of product managers and product owners, fostering a scalable, client-focused, and data-driven product operations function.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, design, operations, and compliance teams to ensure seamless execution and strategic alignment of product initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior leadership role within product management, with significant implications for how product strategies are operationalized and executed. The emphasis on "operations" in the context of product delivery, compliance, and business intelligence suggests a need for a candidate who can bridge strategic vision with tactical execution and process improvement within the product development lifecycle.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and articulate the overarching product vision and strategy, ensuring it directly supports business outcomes and client value propositions, aligning with GTM strategies.
• Establish and prioritize product roadmaps, making critical trade-off decisions to balance short-term gains with long-term strategic objectives and market positioning.
• Lead the complete product lifecycle management, from ideation and development through launch, iteration, and end-of-life, ensuring operational efficiency at each stage.
• Spearhead the integration of AI-powered features into product offerings, ensuring practical application, regulatory compliance, and measurable client benefits.
• Develop and mentor product managers and product owners, building a high-performing, cohesive, and scalable product operations team that champions client advocacy and data-driven decision-making.
• Foster strong partnerships across engineering, design, operations, compliance, marketing, and sales to ensure cohesive product strategy execution and alignment with broader business objectives.
• Proactively manage relationships with technology partners and vendors to optimize product development and delivery processes.
• Communicate progress, risks, and strategic recommendations clearly and effectively to executive stakeholders, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making.
• Leverage client feedback, usage data, market trends, and business intelligence to inform product direction and prioritize initiatives that drive revenue and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for operational oversight in product strategy. This includes managing the product lifecycle with an emphasis on compliance, operational realities, and business intelligence, which are core tenets of robust product operations. The expectation to "mature the product team" and "manage relationships with technology partners" further underscores the operational and strategic management facets of this role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Business, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for a VP-level Product Strategy role. An MBA or advanced degree in a relevant discipline would be advantageous for strategic business acumen.

Experience: A minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in product leadership roles within the financial solutions industry is required. This experience should include a proven track record of scaling product organizations and successfully delivering market-leading products that demonstrate strong product-market fit and operational efficiency.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and execute a compelling long-term product vision and strategy that aligns with business objectives and drives market leadership.
• Leadership & Team Development: Proven experience leading, mentoring, and scaling product management teams, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
• Agile Methodologies & Product Development: Deep expertise in agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban) and modern product development practices, including roadmap planning, prioritization, and execution.
• Business Acumen & Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial products, regulatory environments, market dynamics, and the ability to connect product initiatives to revenue-driving opportunities and ROI.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Exceptional ability to partner effectively with engineering, design, operations, compliance, sales, and marketing teams to ensure cohesive product delivery.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Advanced communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including technical teams, business stakeholders, and executive leadership.
• Client Advocacy & Data-Driven Decision Making: A strong commitment to understanding customer needs and leveraging data, analytics, and client feedback to inform product decisions and measure impact.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to approach complex challenges with clarity, urgency, and creative solutions, making sound trade-off decisions.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience specifically within the independent financial advisor or wealth management technology sectors.
• Familiarity with AI/ML applications in financial services and product development.
• Experience managing external technology partnerships and vendor relationships.
• Proficiency in product analytics and business intelligence tools for performance tracking and strategic insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required experience level and industry focus are critical. For a VP role, expect interviewers to probe deeply into strategic thinking, operational execution, team scaling, and experience navigating complex regulatory environments common in financial services. Highlighting experience with data-driven decision-making and AI integration will be key differentiators.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Roadmap Examples: Showcase examples of product roadmaps you've developed, demonstrating how they were aligned with business objectives and how strategic priorities were managed.
• Product Lifecycle Case Studies: Present case studies detailing your involvement in bringing products through their entire lifecycle, highlighting process improvements and operational efficiency gains.
• AI Integration Case Studies: Provide examples of how you've successfully integrated AI or advanced technologies into products, focusing on the operational challenges and solutions implemented.
• Team Scaling and Development Examples: Illustrate instances where you've successfully scaled product teams, implemented new product development processes, or mentored product talent.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration Frameworks: Detail how you've established or improved collaboration processes between product, engineering, operations, and other key departments.

Process Documentation:

• Demonstrate experience in establishing or refining product development processes, including requirements gathering, backlog management, sprint planning, and release management.
• Showcase your ability to document and communicate product strategies, roadmaps, and feature specifications clearly for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Provide examples of how you've implemented or improved feedback loops and data analysis processes to measure product performance and inform future iterations.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not explicitly stated as a "portfolio" requirement, a VP of Product Strategy is expected to demonstrate a strategic approach to product management that inherently involves process design and optimization. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their methodologies for roadmap prioritization, agile execution, and cross-functional alignment, ideally supported by quantifiable results.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: Based on industry benchmarks for a VP, Product Strategy in Phoenix, Arizona, with 7-10 years of experience in the financial solutions sector, the estimated salary range is typically between $180,000 - $250,000 annually. This range accounts for the senior leadership level, the specialized industry knowledge required, and the cost of living in Phoenix.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental insurance plans.
• Life and long-term disability insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time.
• 401K retirement savings plan with a company matching program, contributing to long-term financial security.
• Eleven paid holidays throughout the year, promoting work-life balance.
• Access to professional development resources and growth opportunities.

Working Hours: The role is full-time, typically requiring around 40 hours per week. However, as a VP-level position, flexibility and a commitment to meeting business needs, which may occasionally extend beyond standard hours, are expected. The hybrid work arrangement also implies a need for effective time management and self-discipline.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is an estimate based on market data for similar roles in the specified location and experience level. Actual compensation may vary based on the candidate's specific qualifications, interview performance, and the company's compensation philosophy. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive, aligning with industry standards for senior roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Solutions / Independent Broker-Dealer. Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. operates within the financial services sector, specifically supporting independent financial advisors. This means the product strategy will likely focus on tools, platforms, and services that enhance advisor productivity, client engagement, and compliance. Company Size: Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. is a significant player in its industry. While the exact number of employees isn't provided in the raw data, the company is described as "one of the nation's top independent financial solutions firms," suggesting a medium to large-sized organization with established processes and a structured hierarchy. Founded: The founding date is not specified, but the company's positioning as a "top independent financial solutions firm" implies a history of growth and stability, likely with a well-established operational framework.

Team Structure:

• The VP, Product Strategy will lead a product organization, which likely includes product managers and product owners.
• This team will operate within a broader structure that includes engineering, design, operations, compliance, marketing, and sales departments.
• Close collaboration with executive leadership and client experience teams is a key aspect of the role.

Methodology:

• A data-driven approach is emphasized, utilizing client feedback, usage data, and market trends to inform product decisions.
• Agile methodologies are expected for product development and delivery.
• Strategic planning and execution are core to the role, requiring a balance of innovation and operational realities.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Cambridge Investment Research's position as a "top independent financial solutions firm" is crucial. This implies a focus on serving financial advisors, which in turn shapes the product strategy towards efficiency, compliance, and advisory tools. The company culture likely values stability, compliance, and client service, which should be reflected in how candidates approach product development and team leadership.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a senior leadership role (VP level) within the product organization. It signifies a strategic position responsible for shaping the direction of product development and ensuring its operational success. The role requires significant autonomy and the ability to influence company-wide product strategy.

Reporting Structure: The VP, Product Strategy will likely report to a senior executive, such as the Chief Product Officer, Chief Technology Officer, or even the CEO, depending on the company's organizational structure. They will manage a team of product professionals.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the company's ability to deliver valuable, compliant, and efficient solutions to its clients (financial advisors). Success in this role contributes to revenue growth, client retention, and competitive positioning by ensuring products meet market needs and are delivered effectively. The operational aspects of product delivery are critical to this impact.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a CPO role or expand the scope of product responsibilities within the organization.
• Strategic Influence: Opportunity to significantly shape the company's product portfolio and long-term strategic direction.
• Industry Expertise: Deepen expertise in financial services product strategy, AI integration, and scaling product organizations.
• Mentorship & Development: Lead and mentor a growing team, developing future product leaders.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a VP role, career trajectory typically involves moving towards higher-level executive positions or broader organizational responsibilities. The emphasis on scaling product organizations and integrating AI suggests opportunities for growth in managing larger teams and more complex product portfolios, with a strong focus on operational excellence.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as HYBRID, indicating a blend of remote and in-office work. This suggests a modern work environment that balances flexibility with the need for in-person collaboration, especially for strategic discussions and team building.

Office Location(s): The primary location specified is Phoenix, Arizona. This implies the need for the VP to be accessible to the Phoenix office for required in-office days.

Workspace Context:

• The hybrid model allows for focused work at home and collaborative sessions in the office.
• Expect a professional office environment conducive to strategic planning, team meetings, and stakeholder engagement.
• Access to necessary technology and collaboration tools will be provided to support both remote and in-office work.

Work Schedule: The standard work schedule is full-time (40 hours/week). However, leadership roles often require flexibility to attend to urgent matters, participate in key meetings, or travel as needed, particularly in a hybrid setup. Effective time management is essential.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid arrangement is a key aspect of the work environment. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding in-office days and the purpose of those days (e.g., team strategy meetings, executive interactions) to ensure alignment with their work preferences and the role's demands.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely involves HR or a recruiter to assess basic qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
• Hiring Manager Interview: A deeper dive into product strategy experience, leadership style, and understanding of the financial services industry.
• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from engineering, design, operations, compliance, and potentially sales or marketing to assess collaboration skills and strategic alignment.
• Executive Presentation/Interview: A session with senior leadership to present a strategic vision or case study, demonstrating leadership potential and strategic thinking.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Strategic Vision Presentation: Be prepared to present a high-level product vision for a hypothetical or past product, outlining key objectives, target audience, and market differentiation.
• Roadmap Prioritization Framework: Discuss your methodology for prioritizing product initiatives, including how you balance competing demands, manage technical debt, and align with business goals.
• AI Integration Case Study: Detail a past experience where you led the integration of AI or advanced technology into a product, focusing on the strategic intent, operational challenges, and measurable outcomes.
• Team Leadership Philosophy: Articulate your approach to building, managing, and developing product teams, including your philosophy on fostering a data-driven and client-centric culture.
• Success Metrics: Quantify achievements whenever possible, using metrics related to revenue growth, client acquisition/retention, product adoption, operational efficiency, or market share.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy Case Study: Prepare to analyze a business problem or market opportunity and propose a product strategy, including a roadmap, key features, and competitive analysis.
• Operational Efficiency Improvement: Be ready to discuss how you would assess and improve product development and delivery processes to enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare examples of how you've managed difficult stakeholder conversations or resolved conflicts related to product strategy and prioritization.

📝 Enhancement Note: A strong emphasis will be placed on strategic thinking, leadership capabilities, and the ability to translate vision into actionable, operationally sound product plans. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience in scaling teams and processes, as well as their understanding of the financial services regulatory landscape.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Jira, Asana, Trello for backlog management, sprint planning, and workflow tracking.
• Roadmapping Software: Tools such as Aha!, Productboard, or Roadmunk for strategic roadmap development and visualization.
• Collaboration Suites: Microsoft 365, Google Workspace for daily communication, document sharing, and project management.
• Prototyping/Design Tools: Potentially Figma, Sketch, or Adobe XD for reviewing product designs and user experiences.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker for data analysis, dashboard creation, and performance tracking.
• Web Analytics Tools: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics for understanding user behavior and product usage.
• Product Analytics Tools: Mixpanel, Amplitude for in-depth product usage analysis and funnel tracking.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar CRM platforms for understanding client data and sales processes.
• Marketing Automation: Tools like Marketo, Pardot, or HubSpot for campaign management and lead nurturing, which can inform product features.
• Integration Platforms: Middleware or iPaaS solutions for connecting various systems and ensuring data flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools are not listed, a VP of Product Strategy is expected to be proficient with a range of product management, analytics, and collaboration tools. Familiarity with systems commonly used in financial services, including robust CRM and compliance-related platforms, would be highly advantageous. The role's success hinges on leveraging data through analytics tools to drive strategic decisions.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Client-Centricity: A core value is likely to be a deep understanding and focus on the needs of financial advisors and their clients.
• Integrity & Compliance: Given the financial industry, maintaining high ethical standards and adhering to regulatory requirements is paramount.
• Innovation with Responsibility: Encouraging new ideas and technological advancements (like AI) while ensuring they are practical, compliant, and operationally sound.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Valuing insights derived from data to guide strategy, prioritize initiatives, and measure success.
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering an environment where different departments work together seamlessly to achieve common goals.
• Efficiency & Excellence: Striving for operational excellence and continuous improvement in product development and delivery processes.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: Emphasizing strong working relationships and open communication with engineering, design, operations, compliance, marketing, and sales.
• Transparent Communication: Ensuring clear, concise, and timely updates to all stakeholders, including executive leadership.
• Feedback Integration: Actively seeking and incorporating feedback from internal teams and external clients to refine product strategy and execution.
• Problem-Solving Focus: Approaching challenges collaboratively, working together to find effective solutions that balance various stakeholder needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture will likely reflect the regulated nature of the financial services industry, with a strong emphasis on compliance, client service, and a structured approach to operations. Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of these values and how they translate into product strategy and team management.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Compliance: Integrating new technologies like AI while adhering to strict financial regulations and operational constraints.
• Scaling Product Operations: Growing the product team and its processes effectively to support the company's expansion and evolving market demands.
• Cross-Departmental Alignment: Ensuring consistent strategic direction and effective collaboration across multiple departments with potentially differing priorities.
• Data Utilization: Effectively harnessing vast amounts of client and market data to derive actionable insights for product strategy.
• Market Volatility: Navigating the dynamic financial services landscape, adapting product strategy to changing market conditions and client needs.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunities to refine executive-level strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
• Financial Services Product Specialization: Deepen expertise in wealth management, independent financial advising, and related financial products.
• AI and Technology Adoption: Gain hands-on experience with implementing cutting-edge AI and technology solutions in a regulated environment.
• Mentorship: Opportunity to mentor and develop junior product professionals, honing leadership and coaching skills.
• Industry Engagement: Potential to engage with industry conferences and thought leaders to stay abreast of emerging trends in product strategy and financial technology.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary challenge will be navigating the complexities of the financial services industry, which requires a robust understanding of compliance, risk management, and client needs, alongside strategic product vision. Growth opportunities are significant for a leader who can effectively drive product innovation and operational excellence within this context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you define and operationalize the product strategy for a company like Cambridge Investment Research over the next 3-5 years, considering AI advancements and regulatory changes?"
• "Describe a time you had to make a significant trade-off on a product roadmap. What was the situation, what was your decision-making process, and what was the outcome?"
• "How do you ensure that product development efforts are closely aligned with sales, marketing, and operational support functions to maximize Go-To-Market success?"
• "What is your framework for evaluating and prioritizing new product opportunities, particularly those involving emerging technologies like AI?"
• "How do you measure the success of a product strategy and the performance of your product team? What KPIs are most critical?"

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you specifically about Cambridge Investment Research and our role in the independent financial advisor space?"
• "How would you foster a client-centric and data-driven culture within your product organization?"
• "Describe your experience working with compliance and legal teams. How do you ensure product initiatives meet regulatory requirements?"
• "How do you envision the hybrid work model impacting team collaboration and product development efficiency, and how would you manage it?"

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation around key achievements, focusing on the "STAR" method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for each example.
• Quantify Impact: Use data and metrics to demonstrate the business impact of your product strategies and initiatives (e.g., revenue growth, client acquisition, efficiency gains).
• Showcase Strategy: Clearly articulate the strategic thinking behind your decisions, including market analysis, competitive landscape, and customer insights.
• Operational Focus: Highlight your role in operationalizing product strategies, including process improvements, team scaling, and cross-functional alignment.
• AI Integration: If applicable, prepare a specific example of how you integrated AI or advanced technology, detailing the challenges and successful outcomes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Expect questions that probe your strategic thinking, leadership style, and ability to execute in a regulated environment. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your proficiency in product strategy, team leadership, and operational execution, particularly as it relates to scaling and integrating new technologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the Cambridge Investment Research careers page.
• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience relevant to product strategy, financial services, leadership, scaling teams, and data-driven decision-making. Use keywords from the job description such as "product strategy," "AI integration," "agile methodologies," "client advocacy," and "cross-functional collaboration."
• Prepare Your Narrative: Craft compelling stories about your successes in product leadership, focusing on strategic impact, operational efficiency, and team development. Be ready to discuss your approach to complex challenges and stakeholder management.
• Research Cambridge Investment Research: Familiarize yourself with the company's mission, values, services, and its position within the financial solutions industry. Understand their client base (independent financial advisors) and any known product offerings.
• Practice Presentation Skills: If a presentation or case study is part of the interview process, practice articulating your strategic vision and operational approach concisely and effectively.

⚠️ 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.