Product Strategy Advisor - Shared Branch

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy Advisor - Shared Branch

Company: Velera

Location: Remote-USA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy / Fintech Operations

Date Posted: 2026-06-02

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Strategic Product Vision: Drive the development and execution of long-term product strategies within the fintech and credit union service organization (CUSO) space, focusing on shared branching solutions.

• Consultative Partnership: Act as a key advisor to financial institutions, understanding their unique needs and translating them into actionable product enhancements and strategic initiatives.

• Innovation & Market Intelligence: Champion innovation by staying ahead of emerging trends in financial technology, payment processing, and banking platforms, and translating these into strategic opportunities.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with Product Management, Sales, and other internal stakeholders to ensure strategic alignment and successful implementation of product roadmaps and enhancements.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverage client feedback, market data, and consumer insights to inform strategic decisions and product development priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Product Strategy Advisor - Shared Branch" title, combined with the company's focus on credit union service organizations (CUSOs) and fintech solutions, indicates a role deeply embedded in the financial services technology sector. The "Shared Branch" aspect specifically points to a strategy role focused on services that allow credit union members to conduct transactions at other credit unions within a network, requiring deep understanding of financial institution operations and member experience. This role will likely involve significant strategic planning, market analysis, and stakeholder management within the B2B financial technology landscape.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and recommend comprehensive short-term and long-term (5-year) product strategies that align with client objectives, evolving customer expectations, and the competitive fintech landscape.

• Guide internal stakeholders and external financial institution clients through solution adoption, ensuring seamless integration and measurable business outcomes.

• Act as an "Innovation Champion," continuously researching emerging trends in financial services, payment technologies, and CUSO operations, and translating these into actionable insights and strategic opportunities.

• Collaborate with Product Management teams, specifically with SPMs of various tools, to provide strategic input for current product enhancements and future development opportunities.

• Utilize data analysis techniques to solicit and interpret client and consumer feedback, driving data-informed strategic product decisions.

• Lead assigned strategic projects, often involving cross-functional teams, to support Velera's business unit and/or department goals and objectives, maintaining up-to-date operational knowledge of all Velera products and service applications.

• Identify and proactively address issues, risks, and exposures impacting Velera and its member-owner credit unions, developing mitigation strategies.

• Create and deliver high-quality professional presentations for various internal meetings, member-owner training functions, and client engagements, effectively communicating strategies and insights via conference calls, webinars, and face-to-face meetings.

• Exercise exceptional communication and interpersonal skills in all interactions with internal customers and external partners, fostering strong relationships and clear understanding.

• Maintain a thorough understanding of Velera's product and service offerings to effectively influence strategic outcomes and client satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic foresight, consultative client engagement, and project leadership within the fintech sector. The focus on "Shared Branch" implies a need to understand inter-credit union partnerships and member experience optimization. The requirement to "Lead assigned projects including cross-functional teams" and "Maintain current operational knowledge of all VELERA offered products and service applications" suggests a hands-on strategic role that bridges product development and client operations.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Business, Finance, Marketing, Computer Science).

• A Master's degree or relevant certifications in product management or strategy is a plus. Experience:

• 5+ years of progressive experience in banking, financial services, digital transformation, or strategy consulting.

• Demonstrated experience in product strategy development, market analysis, and roadmap planning.

• Proven track record of leading cross-functional projects and driving strategic initiatives to completion. Required Skills:

• Product Strategy: Expertise in defining and executing product strategies, including market sizing, competitive analysis, and go-to-market planning.

• Fintech & Banking Domain: Deep understanding of banking platforms, fintech ecosystems, payment processing, emerging payment technologies, and credit union operations.

• Strategic Planning: Ability to develop both short-term tactical plans and long-term strategic roadmaps (e.g., 5-year plans).

• Consultative Advisory: Skill in advising clients, understanding their business needs, and translating them into product requirements and strategic solutions.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including product management, engineering, sales, and marketing.

• Data Analysis & Insights: Proficiency in leveraging data (client feedback, market trends, performance metrics) to derive actionable insights and inform strategic decisions.

• Project Management: Experience leading projects, managing timelines, resources, and cross-functional dependencies.

• Presentation & Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to create and deliver compelling presentations to various audiences, including senior leadership and clients.

• Market Trend Analysis: Ability to identify, analyze, and synthesize emerging trends in the financial services and fintech industries.

• Stakeholder Management: Experience in managing relationships and expectations with internal and external stakeholders at various levels.

Preferred Skills:

• Marketing experience within the financial services or technology sector.

• Experience specifically with credit union service organizations (CUSOs) or shared branching initiatives.

• Familiarity with agile product development methodologies.

• Experience with CRM systems and data visualization tools for strategic analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills are heavily geared towards strategic thinking, deep industry knowledge in fintech and banking, and strong interpersonal abilities for client and internal stakeholder engagement. The emphasis on "5+ years of experience in banking, transformation, or strategy consulting" and "Strong knowledge of banking platforms, fintech ecosystems, and emerging payment technologies" points to a role that requires seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running with a solid foundation in financial services technology and strategy.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Plan Examples: Showcase examples of strategic plans developed, including market analysis, competitive assessments, and recommended strategic directions for products or services.

• Product Roadmap Development: Demonstrate experience in creating and presenting product roadmaps, outlining feature prioritization, release timelines, and alignment with business objectives.

• Client Advisory Case Studies: Present case studies detailing how you advised clients, understood their needs, and contributed to the development or enhancement of solutions that delivered measurable outcomes.

• Innovation & Trend Analysis: Include examples of how you identified emerging market trends and translated them into actionable product or strategy recommendations.

• Cross-functional Project Leadership: Provide examples of projects led with cross-functional teams, highlighting your role in driving collaboration, managing dependencies, and achieving project goals.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Frameworks: Document the frameworks and methodologies used for strategic planning, including market research, SWOT analysis, and competitive benchmarking.

• Product Development Lifecycle: Illustrate understanding of product development lifecycles, from ideation and strategy to launch and iteration, with a focus on how strategy guides each phase.

• Client Feedback Integration: Detail processes for collecting, analyzing, and integrating client and consumer feedback into strategic planning and product roadmaps.

• Performance Measurement & ROI: Outline methods for measuring the success of strategic initiatives and product launches, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and return on investment (ROI) analysis.

📝 Enhancement Note: While a formal portfolio isn't explicitly mandated, candidates should be prepared to discuss and showcase their strategic planning capabilities, client advisory experience, and ability to drive innovation through concrete examples during the interview process. Demonstrating a structured approach to strategy development and a data-driven methodology for assessing market opportunities and client needs will be crucial.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $95,800 - $124,500 annually.

• Note: Actual pay will be adjusted based on experience, location, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

Benefits:

• Health & Wellness:

  • Medical Insurance with telemedicine services
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSA) with company-provided contributions
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
  • Mental Health and Well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Wellness Program

• Financial Security:

  • Basic and Optional Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Disability Insurance
  • 401k with employer match
  • Supplemental Insurance

• Work-Life Balance:

  • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Maternity, Parental, and Family Care Leave
  • Community Volunteer Time Off
  • 12 Paid Holidays

• Professional Development:

  • Tuition Reimbursement Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility expected to meet project deadlines and client needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is competitive for a Product Strategy Advisor role with 5+ years of experience in a specialized industry like fintech. The comprehensive benefits package, particularly the HSA contributions, 401k match, and robust leave policies, reflects Velera's commitment to employee well-being and work-life balance, which is attractive to operations professionals seeking stability and support. Salary estimation is based on the provided range and general US market data for similar roles.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Financial Technology (Fintech), Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO), Payment Processing.

Company Size: Velera is a significant player serving over 4,000 financial institutions. While the exact employee count isn't stated, this scale suggests a mid-to-large sized organization with established processes and a broad client base.

Founded: Velera operates with "velocity to help clients keep pace with the rapid momentum of change," implying a modern, forward-thinking approach. The company's purpose is to "accelerate partners’ success through innovative financial technology solutions and inspired service."

Team Structure:

• The role implies membership in a product strategy or product management team, working closely with dedicated Product Managers (SPMs of tools).

• Expect significant interaction with various business units, including Sales, Marketing, Engineering, and potentially client success teams.

• Reporting structure likely involves a Director or VP of Product Strategy or Product Management. Methodology:

• Data-Driven Insights: The company emphasizes leveraging data for client and consumer feedback to inform strategy and product development.

• Collaborative Innovation: A "people-helping-people" philosophy and a remote-first, flexible environment foster collaboration and innovation.

• Client-Centric Approach: Focus on understanding and meeting the needs of financial institutions to drive their success.

• Agile Adaptation: The need to "keep pace with the rapid momentum of change" suggests an agile and adaptive operational approach.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Velera positions itself as an innovative fintech provider focused on partner success and a strong "people-helping-people" culture. The emphasis on "velocity" and "new era of financial services" suggests a dynamic work environment. The remote-first approach and emphasis on inclusion are key cultural differentiators.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Product Strategy Advisor," suggesting a senior individual contributor or a specialized consultant role. It requires significant experience and a strategic mindset, likely operating at a mid-to-senior level within the product and strategy function. The responsibilities involve guiding internal stakeholders and clients, indicating a level of influence and expertise beyond a junior role.

Reporting Structure: The role will report into a leadership position within Product Management or Product Strategy, likely a Director or VP. Close collaboration with Senior Product Managers (SPMs) is explicitly mentioned, highlighting a matrixed or highly collaborative reporting environment.

Operations Impact: The Product Strategy Advisor directly influences the direction of Velera's product offerings, particularly in the "Shared Branch" and broader fintech solutions space. Their strategic recommendations and market insights are critical for driving revenue growth, enhancing client satisfaction, and maintaining Velera's competitive edge in the rapidly evolving financial services market. The role's impact is measured through client adoption, product success, and ultimately, the financial performance of the products they strategize for.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of fintech, payment processing, or credit union operations, potentially leading to specialized advisory roles or product leadership.

• Leadership Track: Progress into management roles, such as leading a product strategy team, or taking on more senior product leadership positions (e.g., Director of Product Strategy, VP of Product).

• Broader Impact: Transition into broader strategic roles within Velera or the wider financial services industry, leveraging their deep understanding of product, market, and client needs.

• Continuous Learning: Opportunities to stay abreast of industry trends through conferences, training, and internal knowledge-sharing, fostering continuous skill development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for experienced professionals to shape the strategic direction of a key player in the fintech space. The emphasis on advisory and cross-functional collaboration suggests a path towards leadership and broader strategic influence within the organization.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company explicitly states a "remote-first, flexible environment." This implies a distributed workforce where in-person office presence is not a primary requirement.

Office Location(s): While the role is "Remote-USA," Velera operates in North America and serves financial institutions across the US. The company likely has some physical offices, but the day-to-day work for this role will be conducted remotely. Specific office locations are not detailed but can be inferred from their client base and potential operational hubs.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect to utilize digital collaboration tools extensively (e.g., Slack, Teams, Zoom, project management software) to connect with colleagues across different time zones.

• Technology Stack: Access to necessary technology and tools will be provided to facilitate remote work, including potentially robust analytics, CRM, and communication platforms.

• Autonomy & Self-Management: A remote-first environment requires a high degree of self-discipline, time management, and proactive communication to ensure productivity and team integration.

• Inclusion & Belonging: The company emphasizes a culture where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered, fostering psychological safety and meaningful connection across distributed teams.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time (40 hours/week) is expected.

• Flexibility is inherent in a remote-first model, allowing for some adaptation of working hours, provided business needs and collaboration with colleagues in different time zones are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "remote-first" designation is central to the work environment. Candidates should be comfortable and adept at working independently, leveraging digital tools for collaboration, and managing their time effectively without direct physical supervision. This aligns well with operations professionals who often thrive on structured processes and efficient remote workflows.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

1. Initial Screening: A recruiter or HR representative will likely conduct an initial phone screen to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

2. Hiring Manager Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager to delve deeper into experience, strategic thinking, and alignment with the role's responsibilities.

3. Cross-Functional/Team Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders, such as Senior Product Managers, business unit leaders, or peers, to evaluate collaboration skills and domain expertise. These may include behavioral questions and scenario-based discussions.

4. Strategic Case Study/Presentation: Candidates may be asked to prepare and present a strategic analysis or a product strategy proposal based on a given prompt or a review of their past work. This is where a portfolio or detailed examples would be crucial.

5. Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader (e.g., VP of Product) for a final assessment of strategic vision and overall fit.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Focus on examples where your strategic recommendations led to measurable business outcomes, such as increased market share, improved client retention, or successful product launches.

• Showcase Data-Driven Approach: Clearly articulate how you used data, market research, and client feedback to inform your strategies and decisions. Quantify results whenever possible.

• Demonstrate Collaboration: For project-based examples, emphasize your role in cross-functional collaboration and how you influenced diverse teams toward a common strategic goal.

• Tailor to Fintech: If possible, include examples relevant to the fintech or financial services industry, or showcase transferable skills from other complex, regulated industries.

• Conciseness and Clarity: Present your work clearly and concisely. Focus on the problem, your approach, the solution, and the measurable results.

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Thinking: Be prepared to discuss your approach to market analysis, competitive intelligence, and long-term strategic planning.

• Problem-Solving: Practice articulating how you would approach a complex problem within the fintech or shared branching space, considering various stakeholder perspectives.

• Industry Knowledge: Refresh your understanding of current trends in payment technologies, digital banking, CUSO operations, and regulatory landscapes.

• Presentation Skills: If a presentation is expected, practice delivering your insights clearly, engagingly, and within a specified timeframe.

• Cultural Fit: Be ready to discuss how your values align with Velera's "people-helping-people" philosophy and commitment to inclusion.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is likely to be rigorous, focusing heavily on strategic thinking, industry knowledge, and the ability to translate insights into actionable plans. A candidate's ability to articulate their strategic process and demonstrate past impact will be critical, making preparation for a potential case study or presentation paramount.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Experience with major CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce) for understanding client relationships, sales pipeline, and customer data, which can inform strategy.

• Product Management Software: Familiarity with tools like Jira, Confluence, Aha!, or Productboard for roadmap planning, backlog management, and cross-functional documentation.

• Collaboration Suites: Proficiency in tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, Google Workspace for communication, document sharing, and virtual collaboration.

• Presentation Software: Advanced skills in PowerPoint, Google Slides, or similar for creating compelling strategic presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Experience with tools such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for data visualization and deriving insights from performance metrics.

• Spreadsheet Software: Strong command of Excel or Google Sheets for data manipulation, financial modeling, and analysis.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms: Familiarity with BI tools used within financial institutions or fintech companies to track KPIs and market performance.

CRM & Automation:

• Marketing Automation Platforms (MAPs): Understanding of platforms like HubSpot or Marketo, particularly if marketing experience is a plus, for understanding customer engagement strategies.

• Integration Platforms: Awareness of how different systems (CRM, product databases, financial systems) integrate, though direct experience with integration tools might not be primary.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role's nature implies a need for proficiency in standard business productivity, collaboration, and presentation software. Experience with data analysis and BI tools is highly beneficial for informing strategy. Familiarity with CRM and product management platforms will enable effective collaboration with relevant teams.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• People-Helping-People: A core philosophy driving collaboration, client focus, and internal support. This translates to an emphasis on empathy, integrity, and collective success.

• Innovation & Velocity: A commitment to staying ahead of industry changes and delivering solutions with speed and efficiency. This encourages proactive problem-solving and forward-thinking.

• Inclusion & Belonging: A culture where diversity is celebrated, and every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: A reliance on data and insights to guide strategic choices, product development, and client engagement.

• Partnership & Collaboration: Strong emphasis on building trusted relationships with clients and fostering seamless teamwork across internal departments.

Collaboration Style:

• Remote-First & Distributed: Collaboration relies heavily on digital tools and proactive communication to bridge geographical distances.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect a collaborative environment where strategy is shaped by input from Product, Sales, Engineering, and Client Success teams.

• Consultative & Empathetic: The "people-helping-people" ethos extends to how colleagues and clients are engaged – with understanding, support, and a focus on mutual success.

• Open Communication: The remote-first nature necessitates clear, transparent, and frequent communication to ensure alignment and shared understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: Velera's culture is defined by its people-centric approach, commitment to innovation, and inclusive remote environment. Professionals who value collaboration, data-driven strategies, and a supportive team dynamic will find this a strong cultural fit.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Rapidly Evolving Fintech Landscape: Staying ahead of constant technological advancements, regulatory changes, and competitive pressures in the financial technology sector.

• Balancing Client Needs with Product Vision: Effectively mediating the diverse and sometimes conflicting needs of multiple financial institution clients while maintaining a cohesive and strategic product roadmap.

• Driving Adoption in a Traditional Industry: Navigating the inherent conservatism of some financial institutions to encourage adoption of new technologies and strategic approaches.

• Remote Collaboration Effectiveness: Ensuring seamless communication, alignment, and productivity across a distributed team without the benefit of in-person interactions.

• Measuring Strategic Impact: Quantifying the ROI and long-term impact of strategic initiatives in a complex B2B financial services environment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Industry Expertise: Continuous learning about emerging payment technologies, digital banking trends, and CUSO specific challenges and opportunities.

• Strategic Frameworks: Deepening knowledge of advanced strategic planning methodologies, competitive analysis techniques, and market entry strategies.

• Product Leadership: Developing skills in influencing product roadmaps, managing stakeholder expectations, and driving product innovation.

• Cross-functional Acumen: Gaining broader understanding of sales, marketing, engineering, and operational processes within a fintech organization.

• Professional Development: Access to tuition reimbursement and potential for industry certifications or specialized training relevant to product strategy and fintech.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role presents the challenge of navigating a dynamic industry while balancing diverse stakeholder needs. The growth opportunities are substantial, offering a chance to become a thought leader in fintech strategy and advance into significant leadership roles within a growing organization.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a 5-year product strategy for a fintech solution in the financial services sector. How would you incorporate market trends and client feedback?"

• "Imagine a major competitor launches a disruptive new feature for shared branching. How would you assess the threat and recommend a strategic response?"

• "Walk me through a time you had to influence stakeholders with differing opinions on a product strategy. What was the outcome?"

• "How do you balance the needs of multiple clients with potentially different requirements when defining a product roadmap?"

• "What emerging payment technologies do you see as most impactful for credit unions in the next 3-5 years, and how should Velera position itself?" Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Velera's 'people-helping-people' philosophy and remote-first culture?"

• "How do you ensure effective collaboration and communication in a fully remote work environment?"

• "Based on your research, what do you see as Velera's key strengths and opportunities in the current fintech market?"

• "Describe a time you acted as an 'innovation champion' within your team or organization." Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: If presenting a case study, follow a clear narrative: Problem (client need/market gap), Your Strategy/Solution (approach, data used, key decisions), Execution (collaboration, challenges overcome), Results (quantifiable impact, ROI, lessons learned).

• Data Visualization: Use charts and graphs to illustrate market data, performance metrics, and the impact of your strategies.

• Conciseness: Focus on the most impactful aspects of your work, respecting time limits.

• Alignment: Explicitly connect your past experiences and demonstrated skills to the requirements of the Product Strategy Advisor role at Velera.

• Q&A Readiness: Anticipate questions about your methodology, decision-making process, and how you would apply your experience to Velera's specific challenges.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating strategic acumen, deep industry knowledge, strong consultative skills, and an understanding of Velera's culture. Candidates should be ready to articulate their strategic process with concrete examples and potentially present a strategic recommendation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy Advisor position:

• Submit Your Application: Utilize the provided link to submit your resume and any requested supplementary materials through Velera's Workday portal.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume highlights experience in product strategy, fintech, banking platforms, consultative advisory, and cross-functional project leadership. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Narrative: Be ready to articulate your experience and strategic approach using specific examples that align with the role's responsibilities, particularly concerning fintech, payment processing, and client advisory.

• Research Velera: Thoroughly understand Velera's mission, values, product offerings (especially shared branching solutions), and position within the fintech industry. Familiarize yourself with their "people-helping-people" philosophy.

• Anticipate Portfolio Discussion: While not explicitly required, mentally prepare to discuss past projects and strategic initiatives as if presenting a portfolio, focusing on impact and methodology.

⚠️ 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.