Product Strategy Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Product Strategy Manager

Company: Fiserv

Location: New York, New York, United States / Sunnyvale, California, United States

Job Type: FULL_TIME

Category: Product Strategy / Business Operations

Date Posted: May 14, 2026

Experience Level: 4+ Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive strategic execution and operating cadence for Merchant Solutions (MS) by partnering closely with Product and Sales Leadership.

• Translate strategy into clear plans, milestones, and measurable outcomes to ensure successful delivery of strategic initiatives.

• Establish and maintain core business rhythms, including Monthly and Quarterly Business Reviews (MBRs/QBRs), playbooks, and executive update cadences.

• Support the development and implementation of a new product planning and prioritization framework to enhance focus, transparency, and decision-making processes.

• Foster strong go-to-market alignment between Product and Sales teams, ensuring shared priorities, consistent messaging, and effective launch readiness.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is "Product Strategy Manager," the responsibilities heavily lean into operations, program management, and business operations within a product context. The role requires a blend of strategic thinking and operational execution, focusing on the processes and cadences that support product development and market launch. This is a key distinction for operations professionals to understand.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Initiative Execution: Translate high-level product and business strategies into actionable plans, detailed roadmaps, and achievable milestones, ensuring alignment with overarching company objectives for the Merchant Solutions division.

• Business Rhythm Management: Design, implement, and manage core business operating cadences, including Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs), Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and regular executive updates, to ensure consistent progress tracking and informed decision-making.

• Product Planning & Prioritization: Support the creation and refinement of a robust product planning and prioritization framework, enabling data-driven decisions on new product development and feature enhancements based on market opportunities and business impact.

• Go-To-Market (GTM) Alignment: Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management and Sales teams to ensure seamless go-to-market execution. This includes defining shared priorities, crafting consistent messaging, and verifying launch readiness for new products and features.

• Market Opportunity & Business Case Development: Assist product teams in assessing emerging market opportunities, conducting competitive analysis, and building compelling investment business cases to support new product initiatives and strategic resource allocation.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a central point of coordination, facilitating communication and collaboration among Product, Sales, Engineering, Marketing, and other relevant stakeholders to drive alignment and ensure successful project outcomes.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting mechanisms to track the progress and impact of strategic initiatives, providing insights and recommendations to leadership.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong operational focus on process, cadence, and cross-functional alignment, which are core tenets of Revenue Operations and Sales Operations roles. The emphasis on "translating strategy into clear plans, milestones, and outcomes" and "building and sustaining core rhythms of business" are direct operational functions.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Minimum of 4+ years of experience in Product Management, Product Delivery, or a closely related product-focused role.

Required Skills:

• Strategic Thinking & Execution: Proven ability to think strategically while maintaining a strong focus on execution and operational implementation in a dynamic, cross-functional environment.

• Product Lifecycle Management: Understanding of product development lifecycles, from ideation and planning through launch and ongoing management.

• Business Operations Acumen: Experience in defining, implementing, and managing operational cadences, business reviews (MBRs/QBRs), and reporting mechanisms.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to build relationships, manage expectations, and influence stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership.

• Executive Communication & Storytelling: Superior skills in communicating complex ideas clearly and concisely, with a proven ability to craft compelling narratives for executive audiences.

• Project & Program Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, prioritize effectively, and drive projects to completion.

• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze market opportunities, assess business cases, and interpret data to inform strategic decisions.

• Microsoft Office Suite Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint for executive presentations and Microsoft Excel for data analysis and modeling.

Preferred Skills:

• Payment Industry Knowledge: Prior experience or deep understanding of the payments, Fintech, or financial services industry.

• AI Product Experience: Familiarity or experience with building or utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) products.

• Product Prioritization Frameworks: Experience developing or implementing frameworks for product planning and prioritization.

• Go-To-Market Strategy: Understanding of go-to-market principles and experience in aligning product and sales efforts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of 4+ years aligns with a mid-level operations professional. The emphasis on "strategic thinking with the ability to execute," "experience in product strategy or business operations," and "exceptional communication, stakeholder management, and executive storytelling skills" are critical competencies for operations roles focused on GTM and strategic program management.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Initiative Case Studies: Examples demonstrating the ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, track progress, and achieve defined outcomes. Highlight the role played in defining milestones and managing execution.

• Business Rhythm Documentation: Showcase experience in designing or managing recurring business reviews (e.g., MBRs, QBRs), including sample agendas, reporting templates, or frameworks used to drive accountability and informed decision-making.

• Product Prioritization Frameworks: If applicable, portfolio pieces illustrating the development or application of frameworks used for product planning, opportunity assessment, and prioritization.

• Go-To-Market (GTM) Alignment Examples: Demonstrations of how you have facilitated alignment between product and sales teams, perhaps through launch playbooks, shared messaging documents, or cross-functional communication plans.

• Business Case Development: Examples of investment business cases or market opportunity assessments you have contributed to, showcasing analytical rigor and strategic rationale.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of creating or refining workflows to improve efficiency, transparency, and execution within product development or go-to-market processes.

• Reporting & Performance Analysis: Examples of dashboards, reports, or analytical outputs used to track key performance indicators (KPIs) related to strategic initiatives or product performance.

• Cross-Functional Process Integration: Demonstrations of how you have helped integrate processes across different departments (e.g., Product, Sales, Marketing) to ensure cohesive execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is crucial. This section emphasizes demonstrating operational execution, process management, and strategic alignment through tangible examples. Candidates should prepare to showcase how they've operationalized strategies and managed complex cross-functional initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• New York & New Jersey: $100,000 - $165,600 USD per year.

• Other States: Pay ranges may differ based on location.

Benefits:

• Annual Incentive Opportunity: Potential to receive an annual incentive, which may be delivered as a combination of cash bonuses and equity awards at the company's discretion.

• Comprehensive Benefits Package: While not explicitly detailed, Fiserv typically offers a standard suite of benefits for full-time employees, which may include health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement savings plans (e.g., 401k), paid time off (PTO), holidays, and potential for other perks such as life insurance and disability coverage.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for growth and learning within a leading Fintech organization.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time workweek, typically 40 hours per week.

• On-site work arrangement may necessitate adherence to standard business hours, with potential for flexibility depending on team needs and specific project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific to New York and New Jersey. For candidates in other locations, it's advisable to research industry benchmarks for similar roles in their specific region. The incentive opportunity suggests a performance-driven aspect to the role, common in strategic and operational positions.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Fintech & Payments. Fiserv is a major player in the financial technology sector, providing essential infrastructure and services that power global commerce and financial transactions. This means operating in a highly regulated, fast-paced, and competitive environment where innovation and reliability are paramount.

Company Size: Fiserv is a large, publicly traded corporation (implied by its global leadership status in Fintech and payments). Large organizations typically offer structured career paths, diverse opportunities, and established processes, but can also involve more complex decision-making hierarchies and a need for strong navigation skills.

Founded: Fiserv was founded in 1984. This long history indicates a stable company with deep industry expertise and a proven track record, likely possessing well-established operational frameworks and a strong understanding of market dynamics.

Team Structure:

• Merchant Solutions (MS) Focus: The role is embedded within the Merchant Solutions division, indicating a focus on the products, services, and strategies related to enabling businesses to accept payments.

• Partnership with Product & Sales Leadership: The role is designed to work closely with senior leaders in Product Management and Sales, suggesting a central, cross-functional position that influences and supports these key departments.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Expect to collaborate extensively with Product Management, Sales, Engineering, Marketing, Finance, and potentially other operational teams to drive strategic initiatives and ensure go-to-market success.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role involves assessing market opportunities and building business cases, underscoring the importance of data analysis and evidence-based strategy.

• Process Optimization: A key function is supporting the development of product planning and prioritization frameworks and managing business rhythms, which are core operational processes aimed at increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

• Strategic Alignment: The role is fundamentally about ensuring strategic alignment across different functions, translating high-level goals into actionable plans and consistent execution.

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

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding Fiserv's position as a global Fintech leader is crucial. Operations professionals in such environments need to be adept at navigating large organizations, understanding complex financial ecosystems, and driving initiatives that have a significant commercial impact.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Manager" level, requiring 4+ years of experience. It sits at the intersection of product strategy and operational execution. It's a critical role for bridging strategic vision and tactical implementation, often serving as a stepping stone to more senior product management, program management, or operations leadership roles.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, the role partners closely with Product and Sales Leadership. This suggests the role might report into a senior leader within Product Management, Strategy, or potentially a dedicated Operations function that supports these areas. The key is its influence across functions.

Operations Impact: The Product Strategy Manager directly influences the success of the Merchant Solutions division by ensuring strategic clarity, efficient execution, and effective go-to-market strategies. This impact translates into revenue growth, market share expansion, and improved product-market fit for Fiserv's payment solutions.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Develop a deep understanding of product strategy and market dynamics within the Fintech sector, positioning for future leadership roles in product, strategy, or business operations.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain extensive experience working across Product, Sales, Engineering, and Marketing, building a broad skill set valuable for various GTM and operations leadership roles.

• Process Improvement Leadership: Lead initiatives to refine and optimize product planning, prioritization, and go-to-market processes, building a track record in driving operational excellence.

• Specialization: Potential to deepen expertise in specific areas like AI products or payment industry niches, aligning with emerging trends and company strategic priorities.

• Management Track: Successful performance could lead to opportunities to manage a team of analysts or program managers supporting product strategy and operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Manager" title and 4+ years of experience indicate a role with significant responsibility, but also one with clear pathways for further advancement within Fiserv's large structure. Operations professionals can leverage this role to build a strong foundation in strategic program management and GTM operations.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "TELECOMMUTE" in the data but the derived status is "On-site." Given the locations listed (New York, NY and Sunnyvale, CA) and the explicit requirement for US work authorization (implying physical presence), this is likely an on-site or hybrid role requiring significant office presence, with the possibility of some remote flexibility for specific tasks or days.

Office Location(s): The role is available in two major tech hubs: New York, New York, and Sunnyvale, California. These locations offer access to talent, industry networks, and vibrant professional communities.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Expect a dynamic, fast-paced environment requiring close collaboration with various departments, particularly Product Management and Sales.

• Tools & Technology: Access to standard corporate tools will be provided, including advanced Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel). Proficiency with project management software and potentially CRM systems (like Salesforce) will be beneficial.

• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with senior leadership and cross-functional teams is expected, necessitating strong communication and presentation skills in both formal and informal settings.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time schedule (approx. 40 hours/week).

• Given the on-site nature, adherence to typical business hours for the respective office location (Eastern Time for NY, Pacific Time for CA) will likely be expected, though project-driven demands may occasionally require flexibility.

📝 Enhancement Note: The discrepancy between "TELECOMMUTE" and "On-site" derived status suggests a hybrid model or an initial on-site requirement. Candidates should clarify expectations regarding remote work and office attendance during the interview process. The presence in major tech hubs is a significant advantage for networking and professional development.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application to assess alignment with the core requirements, particularly years of experience, industry background, and key skills.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion focused on your experience in product strategy, business operations, and strategic execution. Expect questions about your approach to managing business rhythms, developing prioritization frameworks, and aligning cross-functional teams.

• Skills-Based Assessment/Case Study: This may involve a presentation or discussion around a hypothetical product strategy challenge, requiring you to outline a plan, assess market opportunities, or propose a prioritization framework. Emphasis will be on your strategic thinking, analytical skills, and ability to communicate effectively.

• Cross-Functional Panel Interview: You may meet with key stakeholders from Product, Sales, or other relevant departments. This interview will assess your ability to collaborate, manage diverse perspectives, and build relationships.

• Executive Interview: A final conversation with senior leadership to assess your strategic vision, executive presence, and cultural fit within Fiserv.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 2-3 impactful projects that best showcase your experience in strategic execution, business rhythm management, and GTM alignment. Focus on projects where you played a pivotal role in translating strategy into tangible outcomes.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the business problem, your specific role and actions, the solutions implemented, and most importantly, the measurable results (e.g., improved efficiency, revenue impact, successful product launches). Use metrics whenever possible.

• Demonstrate Process: Clearly outline the processes you utilized or developed (e.g., MBR/QBR structure, prioritization framework, GTM alignment plan). Explain why these processes were effective and how they contributed to success.

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio pieces as compelling narratives. Start with the challenge, detail your strategic approach and operational execution, and conclude with the positive business impact.

• Tailor Presentation: Be prepared to present your portfolio highlights concisely and effectively, adapting your narrative to the interviewer's focus (e.g., more on strategy for a strategy lead, more on execution for an operations lead).

Challenge Preparation:

• Strategic Frameworks: Be ready to discuss frameworks for market analysis, competitive assessment, and opportunity sizing.

• Operational Cadences: Prepare to explain how you would design or manage MBRs/QBRs, including key metrics, discussion points, and follow-up actions.

• Prioritization Methodologies: Familiarize yourself with common product prioritization models (e.g., RICE, MoSCoW, Value vs. Effort) and be ready to apply them.

• GTM Alignment: Anticipate questions on how to align product roadmaps with sales strategies and ensure successful product launches.

• Executive Communication: Practice articulating complex strategies and operational plans in a clear, concise, and compelling manner suitable for executive review.

📝 Enhancement Note: Operations candidates should emphasize their ability to operationalize strategy, manage complex processes, and drive measurable results. The portfolio is your tool to prove these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Essential for creating executive presentations, strategic roadmaps, and project updates. High proficiency is a must.

• Microsoft Excel: Critical for data analysis, financial modeling for business cases, tracking KPIs, and building reports. Advanced functions and data manipulation skills are expected.

• Project Management Software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Monday.com): While not explicitly mentioned, experience with tools used for task management, workflow tracking, and project timelines will be highly beneficial for managing initiatives.

• CRM Systems (e.g., Salesforce): Understanding how CRM data is used for sales and product insights, and potentially how product strategy influences CRM utilization, will be valuable.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI): Familiarity with BI tools for data visualization and dashboard creation to monitor performance and communicate insights effectively.

• Data Analysis Platforms: Experience using tools or platforms for analyzing market data, customer feedback, and performance metrics.

CRM & Automation:

• Salesforce: Often used in sales-heavy organizations like Fiserv for managing customer relationships and sales pipelines, which product strategy must align with.

• Workflow Automation Tools: Awareness of how automation can streamline business processes, particularly in reporting and communication cadences, is a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of PowerPoint and Excel highlights the importance of strong analytical and presentation skills. Operations professionals should be comfortable leveraging these tools for strategic planning and performance reporting. Familiarity with broader project management and CRM systems will also be advantageous.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Impact: A drive to contribute to meaningful business outcomes and influence the direction of key product initiatives.

• Execution Excellence: Commitment to delivering high-quality work, meeting deadlines, and ensuring operational rigor in all processes.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Valuing strong working relationships across departments, fostering open communication, and working effectively as part of a team.

• Data-Driven Approach: Utilizing data and analytics to inform decisions, measure success, and drive continuous improvement in strategies and processes.

• Adaptability & Agility: Thriving in a fast-paced environment, embracing change, and adapting strategies and plans as market conditions evolve.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive Communication: Regularly engaging with stakeholders to share updates, solicit feedback, and ensure alignment.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Actively working to bridge gaps between Product, Sales, and other teams, ensuring a unified approach to product strategy and execution.

• Process-Oriented: Focusing on establishing clear, repeatable processes that facilitate efficient collaboration and decision-making.

• Feedback Culture: Open to constructive feedback and actively providing it to improve team performance and processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Fiserv likely fosters a culture that balances innovation with operational discipline, given its role in the critical Fintech sector. Operations professionals who are proactive, results-oriented, and adept at cross-functional collaboration will thrive here.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating a Large Organization: Fiserv's size means established processes and potentially longer decision-making cycles. The challenge lies in efficiently driving initiatives and influencing stakeholders within this structure.

• Balancing Strategy and Execution: The role requires simultaneously thinking strategically about market opportunities and operationalizing those strategies into concrete plans and actions. This duality can be demanding.

• Dynamic Market Landscape: The Fintech and payments industry is constantly evolving. Staying ahead of trends, competitive pressures, and technological advancements (like AI) is an ongoing challenge.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Achieving true alignment across Product, Sales, and other departments on priorities, messaging, and launch plans can be complex and requires strong negotiation and communication skills.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Fintech Industry Expertise: Deepen knowledge of the payments ecosystem, regulatory landscape, and emerging technologies within a leading Fintech company.

• Strategic Program Management: Develop advanced skills in strategic planning, market analysis, business case development, and operational execution.

• Executive Presence & Communication: Hone skills in presenting to senior leadership, influencing decision-making, and articulating complex strategies effectively.

• AI Product Integration: Gain exposure to and experience with AI products, a rapidly growing area within Fintech.

• Career Progression: Opportunities to move into more senior product management, GTM strategy, or operations leadership roles within Fiserv.

📝 Enhancement Note: Recognizing these challenges and viewing them as opportunities for skill development is key for operations professionals seeking growth. The role offers a strong platform for building expertise in a high-impact industry.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you translated a high-level product strategy into an actionable plan. What were the key steps, challenges, and outcomes?" (Focus on your process, execution, and results.)

• "How would you approach developing a new product planning and prioritization framework for our Merchant Solutions division?" (Demonstrate your understanding of frameworks and operational implementation.)

• "Walk me through your experience managing Monthly or Quarterly Business Reviews. What makes a review effective?" (Highlight your ability to drive cadences and accountability.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about Fiserv and the Fintech industry specifically?" (Showcase your research and genuine interest.)

• "How do you approach working with senior leadership and influencing their decisions?" (Emphasize your stakeholder management and executive communication skills.)

• "Describe a situation where you had to navigate a complex organizational structure to achieve a goal." (Highlight your ability to work within large companies.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Start with the 'Why': Clearly articulate the business challenge or strategic objective your portfolio piece addresses.

• Detail Your Role & Actions: Explain precisely what you did – the analysis you performed, the plans you created, the processes you implemented, the stakeholders you engaged.

• Showcase the Process: Briefly outline the methodologies or frameworks you used (e.g., prioritization models, MBR structure).

• Quantify the Impact: This is critical. Use numbers and metrics to demonstrate the success of your efforts (e.g., "increased MBR efficiency by 20%", "contributed to a business case that secured $X million in investment", "improved GTM alignment leading to Y% faster launch").

• Be Concise & Clear: Aim for a 5-7 minute presentation per portfolio item, leaving ample time for Q&A. Use visuals (screenshots, simplified diagrams) if appropriate.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, demonstrating a structured, data-driven approach to problem-solving and execution is paramount. Prepare examples that showcase your ability to manage complex processes and deliver measurable business value.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Product Strategy Manager position:

• Submit Application: Apply directly through the Fiserv careers portal using the provided link.

• Tailor Your Resume: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 4+ years of experience in product management, product delivery, or business operations, with a focus on strategic execution, business rhythm management, and cross-functional alignment. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your strategic thinking, process management, and impact. Focus on quantifiable achievements and your specific contributions. Be ready to present these concisely.

• Research Fiserv & Merchant Solutions: Understand Fiserv's position in the Fintech market, its core offerings, and the strategic importance of its Merchant Solutions division. Familiarize yourself with their recent news and initiatives.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions by using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and practice articulating your experience with strategic planning, operational execution, and stakeholder management.

⚠️ 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.