Product Strategy and Operations Director

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy and Operations Director

Company: Fetch

Location: Remote (United States)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Product Operations / Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: May 28, 2026

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive high-priority strategic and operational initiatives, bridging the gap between company strategy and product execution within the Product & Technology organization.

• Partner closely with CPO, CTO, and senior leadership to enhance operating rhythms, guide investment decisions, and ensure strategic priorities translate into measurable business outcomes.

• Lead the definition and optimization of operating models, planning processes, and cross-functional decision-making frameworks to improve organizational effectiveness.

• Conduct deep-dive analyses on product performance, operational trends, and user behavior to inform actionable recommendations and executive-level narratives.

• Facilitate cross-functional alignment and execution across Product, Engineering, Design, Data, Finance, Marketing, Growth, and Commercial teams on critical growth initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior individual contributor with significant strategic influence, operating at the intersection of Product Strategy, Operations, and Execution. The emphasis on "undefined spaces" and "independent driving of progress" suggests a need for a proactive, self-starter with strong problem-solving capabilities. The "Product Strategy & Operations Director" title, combined with responsibilities like "shape organizational direction" and "drive prioritization and investment decisions," indicates a high level of strategic input and operational oversight, common in Director-level roles within Operations functions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning & Prioritization: Lead the strategic planning process for the Product & Technology organization, including roadmap prioritization, investment tradeoff discussions, and the definition of portfolio-level prioritization across various initiatives (product, growth, platform).

• Operational Cadence & Frameworks: Design, implement, and refine operating models, planning cycles, business review processes, and cross-functional decision-making frameworks to enhance efficiency and alignment.

• Data-Driven Insights & Recommendations: Conduct in-depth analyses of product performance, user behavior, market trends, and operational metrics to generate actionable insights and executive-level recommendations that drive business outcomes.

• Cross-Functional Alignment & Execution: Foster strong partnerships across Product, Engineering, Design, Data, Finance, Marketing, Growth, and Commercial teams to ensure alignment on strategic priorities and drive seamless execution of multi-quarter initiatives.

• Ambiguity Navigation & Problem Solving: Proactively identify and address organizational risks, operational friction points, dependency gaps, and execution challenges, bringing structure and clarity to complex and ambiguous business problems.

• Executive Communication & Storytelling: Develop and deliver compelling executive-level narratives, recommendations, and decision-making materials that clearly articulate strategic direction, operational plans, and business impact.

• Growth Initiative Leadership: Lead high-priority, multi-quarter strategic initiatives tied directly to company growth objectives and product strategy, ensuring successful end-to-end execution.

• Performance Measurement: Define, track, and analyze key success metrics and business impact for strategic initiatives, enabling leadership teams to evaluate performance and make informed decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are highly aligned with a "Head of Operations" or "Director of Strategy & Operations" role within a Product or Technology organization. The emphasis on "portfolio-level prioritization," "investment tradeoff discussions," and "shaping operating models" points to a strategic function that directly influences resource allocation and strategic direction. The requirement to "identify operational friction, dependency gaps, and execution risks" highlights a proactive, preventative approach to operations management.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related discipline is typically expected for roles at this level. A Master's degree (MBA or relevant field) may be advantageous.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in strategy & operations, product operations, management consulting, product management, business operations, or a closely related strategic function.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Problem-Solving: Proven ability to structure and lead complex, ambiguous initiatives, breaking down large problems into manageable components and developing clear action plans.

• Data Analysis & Interpretation: Highly analytical mindset with expertise in leveraging data to drive decision-making, identify trends, and influence senior stakeholders. Proficiency in data analysis tools and methodologies is essential.

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence: Demonstrated ability to lead and influence diverse teams and stakeholders without direct authority, fostering collaboration and driving alignment across departments.

• Executive-Level Communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a strong track record of developing and presenting clear, concise, and persuasive executive-level narratives, recommendations, and decision-making materials.

• Strategic Planning & Prioritization: Expertise in strategic planning processes, roadmap development, investment tradeoff analysis, and portfolio management to optimize resource allocation and focus on high-impact initiatives.

• Operational Excellence: Experience in designing, optimizing, and implementing operating models, planning cycles, and business review processes to enhance organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

• Project & Initiative Management: Proven ability to drive multi-functional initiatives from strategy through execution in fast-paced, high-growth environments, managing timelines, dependencies, and risks effectively.

Preferred Skills:

• Product Operations Expertise: Familiarity with the nuances of product operations, including product development lifecycles, go-to-market strategies, and cross-functional product team dynamics.

• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial planning, investment analysis, and ROI evaluation to support strategic tradeoff decisions.

• Change Management: Experience in leading organizational change initiatives and driving adoption of new processes and frameworks.

• Tech Stack Proficiency: Familiarity with common tools used in strategy and operations, such as project management software, BI tools, and CRM systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "10+ years of experience" requirement, coupled with responsibilities like "shaping organizational direction" and "driving prioritization and investment decisions," firmly places this role in a senior leadership or director-level capacity within the operations and strategy domain. The emphasis on influencing without authority and navigating ambiguity suggests a need for strong leadership presence and strategic thinking beyond typical operational execution.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Initiative Case Studies: Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies detailing your involvement in leading complex, strategic initiatives from conception to successful execution. Each case study should clearly outline the problem, your strategic approach, the operational frameworks you implemented, cross-functional collaboration efforts, and quantifiable business outcomes.

• Process Optimization Examples: Provide examples of operational processes you have designed, improved, or implemented. Focus on demonstrating how you identified inefficiencies, introduced new frameworks or systems, and achieved measurable improvements in areas like planning cycles, decision-making, or cross-functional alignment.

• Data Analysis & Recommendation Frameworks: Include examples of analytical frameworks or dashboards you have developed to support strategic decision-making, prioritization, or performance tracking. Highlight how your analysis translated into actionable recommendations that influenced leadership.

• Executive Presentation Materials: Select representative examples of executive-level presentations, memos, or decision-making documents that you have created to communicate complex strategies, operational plans, or analytical findings to senior leadership.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing or refining complex workflows, particularly those involving cross-functional dependencies within product development, growth, or Go-To-Market operations.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how you have managed the implementation of new processes or systems, or leveraged automation to drive efficiency and improve operational outcomes.

• Measurement & Performance Analysis: Documentation demonstrating how you have defined key performance indicators (KPIs), established measurement frameworks, and conducted performance analysis to evaluate the impact of strategic initiatives and operational improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role of this seniority and strategic focus, a portfolio is critical. It should demonstrate not just the ability to execute, but the capacity to strategize, influence, and drive significant organizational change. Case studies should be robust, quantifying impact wherever possible, and showcasing the candidate's ability to handle ambiguity and complexity.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $173,000 - $204,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Competitive Base Salary: As indicated by the provided salary range.

• Equity: Potential for stock options or other equity grants, reflecting a long-term incentive aligned with company growth.

• Comprehensive Health Benefits: Likely includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, often with multiple plan options.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Such as a 401(k) with potential company match.

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

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

• Remote Work Stipend: Potential for a stipend to support home office setup and ongoing remote work expenses.

• Other Perks: May include wellness programs, commuter benefits (if applicable to non-remote roles), and employee assistance programs.

Working Hours: Typically a standard 40-hour work week, with flexibility for a Director-level role. Given the strategic and cross-functional nature of this position, occasional extended hours may be required to meet deadlines for strategic planning cycles, executive reviews, or critical initiative launches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided ($173,000 - $204,000 USD) is within the expected band for a Director-level Strategy & Operations role in the US, especially for a remote position with a technology company. The benefits listed are standard for full-time employees at growth-stage tech companies. The "10+ years of experience" requirement supports this compensation level.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Technology (Specific niche not detailed, but implied focus on product, growth, and Go-To-Market operations).

Company Size: Not explicitly stated, but the presence of C-level executives (CPO, CTO) and the need for a Director-level strategic role suggest a mid-to-large-sized growth-stage company. This size typically implies established processes but also a dynamic environment where strategic operations can make a significant impact.

Founded: Not specified, but the focus on growth initiatives and a comprehensive benefits package suggests a company that has moved beyond the startup phase and is established in its market.

Team Structure:

• Product & Technology Organization: The role sits within or closely partners with this organization, reporting to senior leadership such as the Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The role requires deep collaboration with leaders and teams across Product, Engineering, Design, Data, Finance, Marketing, Growth, and Commercial departments.

• Senior Individual Contributor: Positioned as a high-impact senior individual contributor, implying significant autonomy and influence without direct reports initially, focusing on strategic direction and operational execution.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Operations and strategy are grounded in rigorous data analysis to inform prioritization, investment, and performance evaluation.

• Structured Problem Solving: A systematic approach to identifying, analyzing, and resolving complex business challenges, particularly those that are ambiguous or cross-functional.

• Agile & Iterative Processes: Likely embraces iterative development and agile methodologies, with a focus on continuous improvement of operating rhythms and planning cycles.

• Strategic Alignment: Emphasis on connecting company-wide strategy to product direction, roadmap planning, and executional priorities.

Company Website: https://fetch.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The description of the role implies a culture that values strategic thinking, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional collaboration. The emphasis on operating in "undefined spaces" suggests a willingness to embrace innovation and tackle new challenges, typical of forward-thinking tech companies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, equivalent to a Director, focused on Strategy and Operations within a Product and Technology organization. It represents a significant step up from individual contributor roles and offers the opportunity to shape the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of a major company function. It is suitable for individuals who have a strong track record in operations, strategy, or product management and are looking to take on more strategic responsibility and influence.

Reporting Structure: The role reports to senior leadership, specifically the Chief Product Officer (CPO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO), or their designated deputies. This direct line to executive leadership underscores the strategic importance and visibility of the position.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct and substantial impact on the company's ability to achieve its strategic objectives. By improving product strategy, roadmap prioritization, investment decisions, and operational efficiency, the role directly influences revenue growth, market competitiveness, and the overall success of the Product & Technology organization. It ensures that the company's resources are allocated effectively towards its most critical goals.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Expansion: Potential to grow into a more formal leadership role with direct reports, managing a dedicated strategy and operations team within Product & Technology.

• Strategic Influence: Deepen influence over company-wide strategy, product portfolio, and investment decisions, potentially moving into broader GTM or operational leadership roles.

• Domain Expertise: Develop specialized expertise in areas such as product portfolio management, growth strategy, or operational excellence within the technology sector.

• Executive Visibility: Continued high visibility with C-suite executives, offering opportunities for mentorship and career advancement within Fetch or the broader industry.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a senior individual contributor role, the primary growth path is likely towards leading a team or expanding the scope of strategic influence. The direct reporting to C-suite executives provides excellent exposure for career progression.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is fully remote, the mention of "one of our US offices" suggests Fetch has physical office locations. The remote work option indicates a modern, flexible approach to employment. The work environment for remote employees likely emphasizes digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication strategies.

Office Location(s): Remote within the United States. Fetch may have physical offices, but specific locations are not detailed. This offers flexibility for candidates across the US.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Collaboration: Expect a highly digital and collaborative environment, relying heavily on communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams), video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), and project management tools.

• Operations Tool Integration: Access to and utilization of a suite of operations tools for data analysis, reporting, project management, and communication is expected.

• Cross-Functional Interaction: Opportunities for interaction will be primarily virtual, involving scheduled meetings, workshops, and ad-hoc discussions with teams across the organization.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week with flexibility. Given the senior nature of the role and its strategic impact, responsiveness and availability for critical discussions, especially across different US time zones, will be important. The remote nature allows for some flexibility in structuring the workday, provided key meetings and deliverables are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on remote work suggests that Fetch has invested in tools and processes to support distributed teams effectively. Candidates should be comfortable with a high degree of digital collaboration and self-management.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and portfolio to assess alignment with the role's experience and skill requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager (likely a CPO, CTO, or VP of Product/Ops) to delve into your strategic thinking, operational experience, and leadership style.

• Case Study/Problem-Solving Session: Expect a challenging analytical or strategic case study, either presented live or as an assignment, requiring you to demonstrate your structured problem-solving, data analysis, and recommendation articulation skills. This will likely involve a presentation to a panel.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interviews: Interviews with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, Marketing, Growth, and Finance to assess your ability to collaborate, influence, and build relationships across departments.

• Executive Interview: A final interview with a senior executive (potentially CEO, CPO, or CTO) to evaluate strategic alignment, cultural fit, and overall leadership potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Impact: For each case study or project, clearly articulate the business impact using metrics and data (e.g., revenue growth, efficiency gains, cost savings, improved decision-making speed).

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by initiative type or skill area. Use a consistent format for case studies (e.g., Situation, Task, Action, Result - STAR method).

• Highlight Ambiguity Navigation: Showcase instances where you tackled ill-defined problems, developed your own frameworks, and drove progress in uncertain environments.

• Demonstrate Strategic Thinking: Emphasize how your operational initiatives directly supported broader business and product strategies.

• Showcase Presentation Skills: Include examples of executive-level presentations or reports that demonstrate your ability to communicate complex ideas concisely and persuasively.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Fetch's Business: Research Fetch's products, market position, competitors, and recent news. Understand their strategic priorities and potential challenges.

• Practice Case Study Frameworks: Be prepared to apply structured problem-solving frameworks (e.g., MECE, SWOT, Porter's Five Forces) to business challenges relevant to product strategy, operations, and growth.

• Data Interpretation: Practice analyzing hypothetical data sets and drawing actionable insights. Be ready to discuss how you would measure success for strategic initiatives.

• Stakeholder Management Scenarios: Prepare to discuss how you would influence different functional leaders and gain buy-in for your strategic recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process described is typical for a senior-level strategy and operations role, emphasizing analytical rigor, strategic thinking, and cross-functional influence. A strong portfolio is essential for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Project Management & Collaboration: Tools like Asana, Jira, Trello, Monday.com, or similar platforms for managing initiatives, tracking progress, and facilitating team collaboration.

• Communication & Conferencing: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet for daily communication and virtual meetings.

• Productivity Suites: Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Meet) or Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) for document creation, data analysis, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, or similar for data visualization, dashboard creation, and in-depth analysis of product and operational performance.

• Data Warehousing & SQL: Proficiency in querying databases and extracting data (e.g., using SQL) is often a prerequisite for deep-dive analysis.

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills for data manipulation, modeling, and analysis.

CRM & Automation (Familiarity):

• CRM Systems: Understanding of CRM platforms like Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar, particularly how they integrate with product and Go-To-Market strategies, is beneficial.

• Automation Tools: Familiarity with workflow automation concepts and tools (e.g., Zapier, Workato, or specialized product/marketing automation platforms) is a plus for identifying efficiency opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tool requirements aren't detailed, the role's responsibilities necessitate strong analytical and data manipulation skills, implying proficiency in BI tools, SQL, and advanced spreadsheet usage. Familiarity with project management and collaboration tools is also standard for this level.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Data-Driven: Decisions are made based on rigorous analysis and measurable outcomes, prioritizing data integrity and insightful interpretation.

• Strategic Impact: A focus on initiatives that drive significant, measurable progress towards company-wide strategic goals and business objectives.

• Collaboration & Alignment: Strong emphasis on working effectively across diverse teams, fostering open communication, and achieving consensus on priorities and execution plans.

• Operational Excellence: A commitment to continuous improvement, efficiency, and the refinement of processes to enhance organizational effectiveness and agility.

• Problem-Solving & Curiosity: A proactive and analytical approach to identifying and solving complex challenges, with a drive to understand underlying causes and develop innovative solutions.

Collaboration Style:

• Partnership-Oriented: Works as a strategic partner to leadership and functional teams, providing insights and driving alignment rather than dictating solutions.

• Facilitative Leadership: Employs strong facilitation skills to guide discussions, build consensus, and ensure all voices are heard in decision-making processes.

• Transparent Communication: Maintains open and honest communication channels, sharing information proactively and providing clear rationale for decisions and recommendations.

• Feedback-Driven: Actively seeks and incorporates feedback to refine strategies, processes, and execution plans, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The described values and collaboration style are typical of high-performing operations teams in growth-stage tech companies, emphasizing analytical rigor, strategic alignment, and strong interpersonal skills.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Operating effectively in undefined spaces and driving progress without pre-existing structures or clear roadmaps requires significant self-direction and initiative.

• Influencing Without Authority: Gaining buy-in and driving action from cross-functional teams and leaders who do not report directly to you requires strong negotiation, communication, and persuasion skills.

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: Maintaining focus on long-term strategic goals while simultaneously driving day-to-day operational improvements and ensuring flawless execution of critical initiatives.

• Data Complexity & Interpretation: Synthesizing insights from disparate data sources and translating complex analytical findings into clear, actionable recommendations for diverse audiences.

• Pace of Change: Adapting to the rapid pace of change inherent in a growth-stage technology company, quickly re-prioritizing efforts as business needs evolve.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunities to hone strategic planning, executive communication, and complex problem-solving skills at a high level.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Deepen understanding of various business functions (Product, Eng, Marketing, Growth, Commercial) and how they interrelate to drive business outcomes.

• Industry Insight: Gain deep knowledge of the technology sector, product development lifecycles, and Go-To-Market strategies within a specific company context.

• Mentorship: Potential for mentorship from C-suite executives, offering invaluable career guidance and industry insights.

• Process Innovation: Lead the development and implementation of new operational frameworks and strategies, contributing to the company's continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are inherent to senior, strategic roles in dynamic environments. The growth opportunities are substantial, focusing on leadership development and strategic influence.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to drive a complex, cross-functional initiative with significant ambiguity. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on structured problem-solving, stakeholder management, and quantifiable results).

• "How would you approach prioritizing product investments across multiple competing strategic themes, given limited resources?" (Demonstrate framework for evaluation, tradeoff analysis, and alignment with company strategy).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about Fetch's business and product strategy, and how do you see this role contributing to it?" (Research the company thoroughly, identifying potential strategic opportunities or challenges).

• "How do you foster collaboration and alignment across teams that may have different priorities or perspectives?" (Provide concrete examples of influencing and partnership strategies).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• The "Why": Clearly articulate the business problem or opportunity you addressed with each portfolio item.

• Your Role & Actions: Detail your specific contributions, the methodologies you employed, and the key decisions you made.

• The "So What": Quantify the impact and outcomes. Use metrics, ROI, and qualitative benefits to demonstrate value.

• Lessons Learned: Be prepared to discuss challenges faced and what you learned from the experience.

• Conciseness & Clarity: Rehearse your presentation to ensure it is focused, clear, and within the allotted time. Tailor your examples to the specific requirements of the Fetch role.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation for this role should focus on demonstrating strategic thinking, analytical rigor, and the ability to influence stakeholders. Case studies and portfolio presentations are key opportunities to showcase these skills.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy and Operations Director position:

• Submit Your Application: Navigate to the provided job link (https://jobs.gem.com/fetch/am9icG9zdDqS5ewzjCh-r9XzaNtECwmR) and complete the online application form.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience and achievements directly relevant to strategic planning, operations management, cross-functional leadership, and data analysis. Use keywords from the job description (e.g., "Product Operations," "Strategic Planning," "Roadmap Prioritization," "Operational Excellence").

• Curate Your Portfolio: Prepare a concise and impactful portfolio that showcases your most relevant work. Focus on strategic initiative case studies, process optimization examples, and executive-level presentation materials. Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Research Fetch: Thoroughly research Fetch's products, services, mission, recent news, and competitive landscape. Understand their strategic goals and how this role fits into them.

• Prepare for Case Studies: Practice approaching ambiguous problems with structured methodologies, preparing to present your analysis and recommendations clearly and concisely.

⚠️ 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.