Product Strategy and Operations, Manager - New Verticals | Housing

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy and Operations, Manager - New Verticals | Housing

Company: EliseAI

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Operations / Strategy

Date Posted: May 05, 2026

Experience Level: Mid-Senior Level (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site (4-5 days per week)

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is pivotal for identifying, developing, and launching new product initiatives and market opportunities within EliseAI's "New Verticals" focus, driving significant business growth and market positioning.

• It requires the strategic leadership to define and execute comprehensive go-to-market (GTM) strategies, encompassing market segmentation, pricing, and launch plans for novel product offerings.

• The position involves leading and aligning cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, GTM, and Customer Success, to ensure seamless execution and successful expansion of new product lines.

• Continuous market analysis, customer feedback integration, and competitive intelligence are critical for iterating on product strategies and ensuring sustained market relevance and optimization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title mentions "Operations," the core responsibilities and requirements strongly indicate a Product Strategy and Management focus with a significant operational execution component. This role is less about day-to-day Sales/Revenue Operations and more about the strategic and operational aspects of bringing new products to market within specific, emerging business verticals. The "Operations" aspect refers to the operational rigor needed to launch and scale new initiatives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Product and Market Strategy Development: Spearhead the identification, evaluation, and launch of new product opportunities by conducting in-depth feasibility analyses, comprehensive market research, and rigorous competitive assessments.

• Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy Ownership: Develop and own end-to-end GTM strategies, defining market segmentation, product positioning, pricing models, and detailed launch execution plans.

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Lead and orchestrate cross-functional teams across Product, Engineering, GTM, and Customer Success to drive alignment and ensure the successful execution of product launches and market expansions.

• Market Intelligence and Iteration: Continuously monitor evolving market trends, gather and synthesize customer feedback, and analyze competitive dynamics to inform product strategy iterations and optimize existing offerings.

• Strategic Project Management: Develop and meticulously manage detailed project plans, defining clear timelines, critical milestones, resource allocation, and key success metrics for new vertical initiatives.

• Accountability for Outcomes: Own accountability for the strategic outcomes of new product initiatives, ensuring all project milestones are met and strategic objectives for new verticals are successfully achieved.

• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Partner closely with internal stakeholders, including senior leadership, product managers, engineers, marketing, sales, and customer success teams, to foster cohesive execution of strategic initiatives.

• Strategic Insight Provision: Provide critical strategic insights and actionable recommendations to senior leadership based on thorough analysis and up-to-date market intelligence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a "zero to one" approach, emphasizing the creation and launch of new ventures rather than the optimization of existing operational frameworks. This is a strategic role focused on market entry and product innovation.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is listed, a Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Economics, Engineering, or a related field is typically expected for roles of this nature. An MBA or advanced degree in a relevant discipline would be a strong asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5-6 years of progressive experience in product strategy, product management, management consulting, corporate strategy, or similar strategic roles within high-growth technology environments.

• Demonstrated success in leading new product launches, entering new markets, or scaling nascent business units from inception to maturity.

Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Development: Expertise in identifying market opportunities, conceptualizing new products, and defining product roadmaps.

• Go-To-Market (GTM) Strategy: Proficient in developing and executing comprehensive GTM plans, including market segmentation, positioning, and pricing.

• Market Research & Analysis: Skilled in conducting thorough market research, competitive analysis, and feasibility studies to inform strategic decisions.

• Cross-Functional Leadership: Ability to lead, influence, and align diverse teams (Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing, CS) towards common goals without direct hierarchical authority.

• Strategic Project Management: Experience in developing detailed project plans, managing timelines, resources, and tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).

• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Exceptional analytical capabilities, with a strong data-driven mindset for identifying issues and developing innovative solutions.

• Communication & Influence: Superior interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate vision, influence stakeholders, and present complex information clearly.

• Execution & Ownership: A relentless focus on execution, a high degree of autonomy, and a proactive approach to driving clarity and progress in ambiguous, fast-paced environments.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the Housing or Healthcare technology sectors.

• Familiarity with AI-driven solutions and their market applications.

• Experience with agile product development methodologies.

• Financial modeling and business case development for new ventures.

• Experience in a "unicorn" startup environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement is specific (5-6 years), and the emphasis on "zero to one" and "navigating ambiguity" suggests the need for candidates who are comfortable with high levels of autonomy and have a proven track record of building from scratch, rather than just optimizing existing processes.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Case Studies of New Product Launches: Showcase 2-3 detailed case studies of new products or business ventures you have conceptualized, strategized, and successfully launched. Each case study should highlight:

  • The initial problem or market opportunity.
  • The strategic approach and market validation conducted.
  • The go-to-market strategy and execution details.
  • Key metrics, challenges encountered, and lessons learned.
  • Your specific role and contributions.

• Market Analysis & Strategy Examples: Include examples of market research reports, competitive analyses, or strategic frameworks you have developed to inform product decisions or market entry strategies.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Examples: Provide evidence of how you have successfully aligned and led diverse teams (e.g., Product, Engineering, Sales, Marketing) to achieve strategic objectives, perhaps through project summaries or team structure diagrams.

• Impact & ROI Demonstration: Quantify the impact of your work. This could include revenue generated, market share gained, customer acquisition cost (CAC) reduction, or adoption rates for new products or initiatives.

Process Documentation:

• New Venture Frameworks: Document the processes or frameworks you have used to evaluate new market opportunities and product ideas, from initial ideation through feasibility and launch planning.

• Go-To-Market Planning Templates: Showcase templates or methodologies used for comprehensive GTM planning, including market segmentation, positioning, pricing, and channel strategy.

• Performance Tracking and Iteration: Illustrate how you track the performance of new product launches against defined KPIs and how you use data to iterate and optimize the product and GTM strategy post-launch.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role focused on "zero to one" product launches, the portfolio is less about optimizing existing operational systems (like CRM or SFDC) and more about demonstrating strategic thinking, market analysis, GTM planning, and the successful execution of new initiatives. The emphasis is on the strategic and operational rigor of building something new.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $204,000 - $272,000 CAD per year.

Benefits:

• Equity: Significant equity in the company, reflecting a "unicorn" status startup.

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums covered at 100%.

• Family Support: Fully paid parental leave for new parents.

• Workplace Amenities: Fully stocked kitchen, all meals covered in the office, and a collaborative open floor plan.

• Time Off: Unlimited vacation policy and paid holidays.

• Relocation Assistance: Relocation packages are provided to ease the transition for new hires.

Working Hours: This is a full-time role. While specific hours are not detailed, the company emphasizes a fast-paced, intense work environment. The requirement to be in the office 4-5 days a week suggests a structured, though potentially demanding, schedule.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is provided in CAD and is competitive for a Manager-level Product Strategy role in Toronto. The benefits package is robust, with a strong emphasis on health, family, and employee well-being, alongside significant equity, which is typical for high-growth startups. The "4-5 days a week" in-office requirement is a key detail for candidates.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software, Housing Technology, Healthcare Technology. EliseAI leverages AI agents to enhance efficiency and user experience in essential services.

Company Size: As a Series E funded "unicorn" startup, EliseAI is likely in a rapid growth phase, with several hundred employees, but still maintains the agility and ambition of a fast-paced tech company. This implies a dynamic environment with significant opportunities for impact.

Founded: EliseAI was founded with a mission to improve housing and healthcare through AI. Its recent substantial funding indicates strong market validation and ambitious growth plans.

Team Structure:

• Product Development: The role sits within Product Strategy, likely collaborating closely with dedicated Product Management and Engineering teams responsible for developing and iterating on EliseAI's AI-powered solutions.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: The Manager will work with GTM (Sales, Marketing), Customer Success, and potentially Data Science/AI teams, requiring strong collaboration and communication skills across various departments.

• Reporting: While not explicitly stated, a Manager-level role in this context often reports to a Director or VP of Product, Strategy, or a similar senior leadership position.

Methodology:

• AI-First Approach: EliseAI's core methodology is integrating AI agents into existing workflows to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and improve user experiences.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The company emphasizes a data-driven approach to product development, market analysis, and strategic planning.

• Agile Execution: Given the fast-paced, high-growth nature of a unicorn startup, agile methodologies for product development and project execution are likely.

• Customer-Centric Innovation: The mission to improve essential services like housing and healthcare points to a strong customer-centric focus, with product development driven by real-world needs.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's mission-driven approach in essential industries, combined with its AI focus and strong funding, suggests a culture that values innovation, impact, and rapid growth. The "move at rocket speed" ethos indicates a demanding but potentially highly rewarding environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is at the Manager level, focused on strategic initiative leadership rather than day-to-day operational management of existing systems. It's a critical role for driving new business growth and product expansion.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports into a senior leadership position such as a Director or VP of Product Strategy, New Ventures, or Corporate Strategy. This provides exposure to executive decision-making and strategic planning at a high level.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is directly tied to the successful identification, development, and launch of new product verticals. Success will be measured by the growth and market penetration of these new offerings, directly contributing to EliseAI's overall revenue and market expansion. It's about building new revenue streams and market positions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership Development: Opportunity to hone skills in market analysis, product strategy, GTM planning, and cross-functional leadership, preparing for senior product or strategy roles.

• Vertical Expansion Expertise: Gain deep experience in launching and scaling new business ventures within a high-growth tech company, building a strong track record in new market entry.

• Leadership Pipeline: Potential to grow into Director-level roles, leading larger teams or entire product lines, or to transition into broader Product Management or GTM leadership positions.

• Industry Specialization: Develop deep expertise in the housing or healthcare technology sectors, becoming a go-to person for these critical markets.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth path for this role is focused on expanding strategic influence and leadership within new business areas, rather than climbing a traditional operations ladder. It's about building and scaling new ventures.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: EliseAI offers a collaborative in-office environment. The description mentions an "open floor plan," suggesting a dynamic and interactive workspace designed to foster communication and teamwork.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The company also has offices in Austin, TX, and Mountain View, CA, but this specific position is tied to the Toronto location.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Atmosphere: The open floor plan and emphasis on meals and kitchen facilities suggest an environment that encourages spontaneous interaction and team cohesion.

• Resource Availability: As a well-funded startup, expect access to modern technology, tools, and resources necessary for strategic work, including robust IT support.

• Team Interaction: The 4-5 days per week in-office requirement ensures consistent opportunities for face-to-face collaboration with colleagues from various departments, crucial for complex product launches.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position. The company culture emphasizes intensity and speed, suggesting that while there's no strict 9-to-5, the work requires significant dedication. The unlimited vacation policy offers flexibility, but the on-site requirement means a structured daily presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement (4-5 days/week) is a key aspect of the work environment, indicating a preference for in-person collaboration and team building, which is common for roles focused on rapid innovation and launch.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, resume, and potentially a portfolio submission to assess alignment with the core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in product strategy, new market entry, GTM planning, and cross-functional leadership. Expect behavioral questions and scenario-based inquiries.

• Case Study Presentation: You will likely be asked to present a detailed case study from your portfolio, demonstrating your approach to identifying opportunities, developing strategies, and executing launches. This will assess your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and communication abilities.

• Cross-Functional Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Product, Engineering, GTM, and potentially senior leadership to assess your collaboration style, strategic alignment, and ability to influence diverse teams.

• Final Round/Executive Interview: A discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic vision, and overall potential contribution to EliseAI's growth.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on "Zero to One": Prioritize case studies that demonstrate your ability to take an idea from conception to market launch, highlighting strategic planning, market validation, and execution.

• Quantify Impact: Clearly articulate the business outcomes of your initiatives. Use metrics such as revenue growth, market share increase, adoption rates, or cost savings.

• Showcase Strategic Rigor: Detail your thought process, the research conducted, the strategic choices made, and the rationale behind them.

• Highlight Cross-Functional Leadership: Explain how you navigated complex team dynamics and influenced stakeholders to achieve project success.

• Be Prepared to Discuss Ambiguity: Since the role involves new verticals, be ready to discuss how you approach and create clarity in uncertain environments.

Challenge Preparation:

• GTM Strategy Simulation: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing a GTM strategy for a hypothetical new product or market.

• Market Opportunity Analysis: Practice identifying and evaluating potential new market opportunities for a company like EliseAI.

• Stakeholder Alignment Scenarios: Think about how you would gain buy-in and align diverse teams for a new strategic initiative.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process emphasizes strategic thinking, execution, and cross-functional collaboration, with a strong focus on evaluating past performance through portfolio case studies. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their ability to build and launch new ventures.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Product Management & Strategy Tools: Proficiency with tools for market analysis, competitive intelligence, roadmap planning (e.g., Jira, Productboard, Aha!, Crayon, Gong.io).

• Project Management Software: Experience with project management platforms to track timelines, resources, and milestones (e.g., Asana, Trello, Monday.com).

• Collaboration Suites: Familiarity with tools for team communication and document sharing (e.g., Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Slack).

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence Platforms: Ability to leverage BI tools for market analysis and performance tracking (e.g., Tableau, Looker, Power BI).

• Data Analysis Tools: Comfort with data analysis to support strategic decisions and measure outcomes. While not explicitly stated, familiarity with SQL or basic data querying could be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: Understanding of how CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) are used by sales and marketing teams, as this role will interface with GTM strategies.

• Marketing Automation Platforms: Awareness of marketing automation tools (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo) for GTM campaign execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is strategic, a strong understanding of how GTM functions utilize CRM and marketing automation tools is important for developing effective go-to-market strategies. The emphasis is on leveraging data and project management tools to drive new initiatives.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Impact & Ownership: A strong emphasis on making a tangible impact and taking full ownership of projects and outcomes. The company culture is described as "hungry, driven, and ready to build something massive."

• Speed & Execution: The ethos of "move at rocket speed" highlights a culture that prioritizes rapid execution and delivery, with minimal bureaucracy ("no fluff").

• Ambition & Growth: EliseAI values individuals who are ambitious, seek challenges, and are eager to contribute to building a "massive" company.

• Data-Driven Approach: Decisions are expected to be informed by data and rigorous analysis, ensuring strategic initiatives are well-founded.

• Collaboration: Despite the focus on autonomy, strong cross-functional collaboration is essential for successful product launches and market entry.

Collaboration Style:

• Autonomous & Proactive: Team members are expected to be self-starters who can navigate ambiguity and drive initiatives forward independently.

• Cross-Functional Partnership: The role requires close collaboration with Product, Engineering, GTM, and CS teams, necessitating strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Feedback-Oriented: While fast-paced, a culture of learning from both successes and failures implies an openness to feedback and continuous improvement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture emphasizes high performance, autonomy, and a strong bias for action. Candidates should be comfortable in a demanding, fast-paced environment where ownership and impact are highly valued.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Entering "new verticals" means dealing with uncharted territory, requiring comfort with uncertainty and the ability to define processes and strategies from scratch.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Gaining buy-in and coordinating efforts across multiple departments with potentially competing priorities can be challenging.

• Rapid Scaling: As a rapidly growing startup, adapting to constant change, scaling processes, and managing increasing complexity will be ongoing challenges.

• Market Validation: Successfully validating new product ideas and market approaches in competitive or nascent markets requires strategic insight and robust execution.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Product Development: Gaining hands-on experience in the entire lifecycle of new product launches, from ideation to market success.

• Leadership and Influence: Developing strong leadership and stakeholder management skills by driving critical initiatives across the organization.

• Industry Expertise: Deepening knowledge in AI, SaaS, and specific vertical markets like housing and healthcare.

• High-Growth Startup Environment: Learning how to operate and thrive in a fast-paced, well-funded, and ambitious startup, building a valuable career foundation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are inherent to a role focused on innovation and new market entry. The growth opportunities are significant, offering a fast track for individuals looking to develop strategic leadership capabilities in a high-impact environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you identified and successfully launched a new product or entered a new market. What was your process, what were the key challenges, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your "zero to one" experience).

• "How would you approach developing a go-to-market strategy for a new AI-powered solution in the [mention a hypothetical new vertical] space?" (Assess your GTM framework and strategic thinking).

Company & Culture Questions:

• "Why are you interested in EliseAI and our mission to improve housing and healthcare?" (Showcase your understanding of the company's impact and values).

• "How do you handle ambiguity and fast-paced, evolving environments?" (Prepare examples of your autonomy and problem-solving in uncertain situations).

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each case study, clearly outline the problem, your strategic approach, the execution steps, the quantifiable results, and your specific contributions.

• Focus on Your Role: Emphasize your direct impact and decision-making within each project.

• Quantify Everything: Be ready to present metrics and demonstrate ROI for your initiatives.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your strategy, execution, and the challenges you faced.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interviews will heavily scrutinize your ability to think strategically, execute effectively, and lead cross-functionally, particularly in the context of launching new ventures. Demonstrating a strong understanding of market dynamics and a data-driven approach will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy and Operations Manager position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on Ashby, ensuring your resume and any optional attachments are up-to-date.

• Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in product strategy, new market entry, GTM planning, and cross-functional leadership. Use keywords from the job description and quantify your achievements with specific metrics.

• Prepare your portfolio: Select 2-3 of your strongest case studies that demonstrate your ability to launch new products or enter new markets. Focus on strategic thinking, execution, and quantifiable impact. Be ready to present one in detail.

• Research EliseAI: Understand their mission, products, recent funding, and the industries they serve (housing and healthcare). Familiarize yourself with their "zero to one" approach and company values.

• Practice your interview responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions, with a focus on demonstrating your strategic acumen, execution capabilities, and collaborative spirit.

⚠️ 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.