Senior Director, Global Product Strategy

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Director, Global Product Strategy

Company: Association for Financial Professionals (AFP)

Location: Bethesda, MD, US

Job Type: Full Time Exempt Full-Time

Category: Product Strategy & Management

Date Posted: 2026-08-06

Experience Level: 10+ years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the evolution of AFP's product strategy across membership, training, events, and digital offerings, focusing on a one-to-three-year roadmap.

• Develop and maintain a customer-informed product roadmap that directly aligns with organizational strategy and revenue goals.

• Collaborate closely with Marketing, Sales, Technology, Finance, and Analytics teams to successfully launch new products and enhancements that support key business drivers.

• Analyze customer feedback, market trends, and competitive landscapes to identify and capitalize on new growth opportunities within the finance and treasury sectors.

• Oversee product lifecycle management, including strategic pricing, market positioning, business case development, and defining success metrics.

• Monitor overall portfolio performance, recommending strategic improvements to maximize growth, profitability, and member value for key offerings like membership, learning programs, and events.

• Lead critical strategic planning discussions and guide the prioritization of organizational initiatives.

• Coach and develop a high-performing product strategy team, fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Senior Director, indicating significant strategic responsibility and leadership. The focus on "Global Product Strategy" suggests an international perspective and a need to understand diverse market needs within the finance and treasury professional landscape. The emphasis on revenue goals and member value implies a strong connection to GTM operations and the direct impact of product strategy on financial outcomes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Strategic Product Vision & Roadmap Development: Own and articulate the long-term vision and strategic direction for AFP's product portfolio, encompassing membership value, learning programs, events, and digital products. Translate this vision into a detailed, actionable product roadmap spanning 1-3 years, ensuring alignment with AFP's overarching mission and financial objectives.

• Market & Customer Insight Integration: Conduct comprehensive market research, competitive analysis, and customer feedback synthesis to identify emerging trends, unmet needs, and potential growth areas. Utilize these insights to inform product strategy, prioritization, and feature development, ensuring offerings remain relevant and valuable.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Go-to-Market (GTM) Alignment: Serve as a key liaison between product strategy and other departments, including Marketing, Sales, Technology, Finance, and Analytics. Partner to ensure seamless product launches, effective go-to-market strategies, and alignment on business cases, pricing, and revenue projections.

• Product Lifecycle Management & Optimization: Oversee the entire product lifecycle from ideation and business case development through launch, growth, and potential sunsetting. Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) and success metrics, continuously monitoring portfolio performance and recommending strategic adjustments to enhance profitability, member engagement, and overall value.

• Financial Acumen & Business Case Development: Develop robust business cases for new product initiatives and enhancements, including detailed financial projections, pricing strategies, and ROI analyses. Leverage strong financial acumen to forecast revenue, manage product P&Ls, and ensure fiscal responsibility in product investment decisions.

• Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of product strategy professionals, fostering a high-performance culture that emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and accountability. Provide guidance and support to team members, promoting professional growth and alignment with organizational values.

• Executive Stakeholder Engagement: Effectively communicate product strategy, roadmap updates, and performance insights to executive leadership and other key stakeholders. Influence decision-making through compelling data-driven presentations and strategic recommendations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong need for strategic thinking, market analysis, and cross-functional leadership, which are core to GTM and Revenue Operations leadership roles. The emphasis on product lifecycle management, pricing, and business case development points to a direct link with sales enablement and revenue forecasting.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree required.

• Advanced degree (e.g., MBA, Master's in a relevant field) strongly preferred. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in product strategy, product management, portfolio management, or a closely related strategic leadership role.

• Proven track record of successfully developing and launching revenue-generating products or services, ideally within the finance, treasury, or professional services sectors.

• Demonstrated experience in managing product lifecycles, including strategic planning, market analysis, pricing, positioning, and performance monitoring.

• Experience leading and developing high-performing, cross-functional teams. Required Skills:

• Product Strategy & Vision: Ability to define and articulate a compelling long-term product vision and translate it into actionable roadmaps.

• Market & Competitive Analysis: Proficiency in conducting thorough market research, competitive intelligence gathering, and synthesizing insights to identify strategic opportunities.

• Financial Acumen & Business Case Development: Strong understanding of financial principles, including pricing strategy, forecasting, P&L management, and the ability to build robust business cases with clear ROI.

• Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead, collaborate with, and influence diverse teams (Marketing, Sales, Technology, Finance) and executive stakeholders without direct authority.

• Strategic Planning & Prioritization: Expertise in strategic planning methodologies and the ability to prioritize initiatives based on business impact, feasibility, and alignment with organizational goals.

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Excellent quantitative and qualitative analytical skills, with the ability to dissect complex problems, derive actionable insights, and develop data-driven solutions.

• Communication & Presentation Skills: Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex strategies and data clearly and persuasively to various audiences.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience within an association, membership organization, educational institution, credentialing body, SaaS company, or professional services firm.

• Familiarity with the corporate treasury and finance professional landscape.

• Experience with Agile product development methodologies.

• Knowledge of digital product development and subscription models.

• Experience with CRM and marketing automation platforms for product adoption and engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirement of "10+ years" and the mention of "progressive experience" indicate this is a senior leadership role. The preference for experience in associations, education, credentialing, SaaS, or professional services is crucial context for candidates to tailor their applications.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Strategic Roadmap Documentation: A clear and well-articulated product roadmap showcasing a 1-3 year vision, including key initiatives, milestones, and alignment with organizational objectives. This should demonstrate a structured approach to long-term planning.

• Business Case & Financial Analysis Examples: Demonstrations of well-developed business cases for new products or significant enhancements. These should include market analysis, competitive positioning, pricing strategies, financial projections (revenue, cost, ROI), and risk assessments.

• Product Lifecycle Management Case Studies: Examples of how you have managed products through their entire lifecycle, from ideation and launch to optimization and potential sunsetting. Highlight specific strategies used to drive growth, profitability, and member value.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration Frameworks: Evidence of successful collaboration with Sales, Marketing, Technology, and Finance teams. This could be demonstrated through project plans, GTM strategy outlines, or examples of how cross-functional alignment was achieved.

• Metrics & Performance Tracking Frameworks: Examples of KPIs and success metrics defined for products, along with methodologies for tracking, analyzing, and reporting on performance. Show how data was used to drive product decisions and improvements.

Process Documentation:

• Strategic Planning Process: Documented methodologies for strategic planning, including market assessment, competitive analysis, SWOT analysis, and objective setting.

• Product Development Process: Outlines of the process for new product ideation, validation, development, and launch, emphasizing customer feedback loops and cross-functional involvement.

• Go-to-Market (GTM) Strategy Development: A systematic approach to developing and executing GTM plans, including market segmentation, positioning, pricing, sales enablement, and marketing launch strategies.

• Performance Analysis & Optimization Process: A clear process for monitoring product performance against defined metrics, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing iterative enhancements.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Senior Director role in product strategy, a portfolio demonstrating strategic thinking, financial justification, and cross-functional execution is paramount. The emphasis should be on impact and quantifiable results, not just task completion.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $160,000 - $170,000 USD per year.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to support employee well-being.

• Retirement Savings: 401K plan with a generous employer match, aiding in long-term financial security.

• Generous Paid Time Off: A robust policy for vacation leave, sick leave, and holidays, promoting work-life balance.

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Offers flexible schedules, aligning with the organization's "When Work Works" award recognition.

• Performance-Based Incentives: A competitive commission plan, recognizing and rewarding contributions to revenue generation and product success.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for career growth within the organization.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered through scheduling.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is specific and falls within the expected range for a Senior Director-level role in the Bethesda, MD area, considering the non-profit/association sector. The benefits package is comprehensive and competitive, with specific callouts for flexible scheduling and commission potential, which are attractive to senior professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Professional Association / Non-profit Organization, focused on financial services and treasury management.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, the ADP platform is often used by mid-to-large organizations. Based on typical association structures and the scope of a "Global Product Strategy" role, AFP likely operates with a team of 50-200 employees, focusing on delivering value to a large member base.

Founded: The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) has a long history, established in 1969. This deep history signifies stability, established expertise, and a strong foundation in serving finance and treasury professionals.

Team Structure:

• Product Strategy Team: This role implies leadership over a dedicated product strategy team, likely comprising product managers, market analysts, and potentially business analysts. The team size would be tailored to the scope of the product portfolio.

• Reporting Structure: The Senior Director likely reports to a C-level executive, such as a Chief Product Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, or potentially the CEO/Executive Director, given the strategic importance of the role.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: This role is inherently cross-functional, requiring close partnerships with Marketing, Sales, Technology, Finance, Analytics, Membership, and Event teams. The collaboration is essential for developing and launching successful products and initiatives.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on leveraging analytics, market research, and customer feedback to inform strategic decisions and product development.

• Agile & Iterative Development: While not explicitly stated, modern product strategy often involves agile principles, focusing on iterative development, continuous improvement, and adapting to market changes.

• Customer-Centricity: A core focus on understanding and meeting the needs of finance and treasury professionals to deliver maximum value.

• Strategic Planning Frameworks: Utilization of structured strategic planning processes to define vision, set objectives, and prioritize initiatives.

Company Website: https://www.financialprofessionals.org/

📝 Enhancement Note: Understanding AFP's position as a professional association is key. This means the primary goal is member value and industry advancement, rather than purely profit maximization, though revenue generation is still critical for sustainability and growth. The "Global" aspect of the title suggests a need to consider international markets and diverse regulatory/economic environments for finance professionals.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is a Senior Director position, representing a high level of leadership within the product strategy function. It signifies significant responsibility for shaping the organization's future product offerings and driving revenue growth through strategic product initiatives. This role is crucial for impacting the organization's strategic direction and financial performance.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Director will likely report to a C-suite executive (e.g., Chief Product Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, or Executive Director). They will also lead and mentor a team of product professionals, fostering their development and ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

Operations Impact: The impact of this role is substantial, directly influencing revenue streams through new and enhanced products (membership, training, events, digital offerings). Strategic product decisions made by this role will shape member engagement, market competitiveness, and the overall financial health and sustainability of AFP. This role bridges strategy and GTM execution, ensuring that product development aligns with market needs and sales objectives.

Growth Opportunities:

• Executive Leadership Progression: Potential to advance to a VP or C-level position (e.g., Chief Product Officer, Chief Strategy Officer) within AFP or a similar organization, overseeing broader strategic functions or multiple product lines.

• Specialization & Deep Expertise: Opportunity to become a recognized expert in product strategy for financial professionals and associations, potentially leading to consulting or advisory roles.

• Broadening Scope: Potential to expand responsibilities to include other strategic initiatives within the organization, such as market expansion, new business model development, or digital transformation efforts.

• Mentorship & Team Building: The experience gained in leading and developing a team provides valuable leadership skills applicable to future management and executive roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career path for a Senior Director in Product Strategy often leads to executive-level roles, particularly within organizations that rely heavily on product-driven revenue. The "Global" aspect suggests opportunities to gain international market experience, which is highly valuable.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job is listed as "On-site" in Bethesda, MD, suggesting a traditional office environment. AFP's "When Work Works" award indicates a commitment to flexibility, so while the primary expectation is on-site presence, there might be hybrid options or flexibility in daily schedules.

Office Location(s): Bethesda, MD, is a well-established business hub with good access to public transportation and amenities. This location offers a professional setting conducive to strategic work and collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The company culture emphasizes collaboration and smashing silos, suggesting an open and interactive workspace designed to facilitate teamwork and knowledge sharing.

• Tools & Technology: As a product strategy role, expect access to standard office technology, project management tools, and potentially specialized product management and analytics software.

• Team Interaction: The role requires significant interaction with internal teams across various departments, as well as potential external interactions with members, partners, and industry experts.

Work Schedule: While full-time employment is standard (likely 40 hours/week), AFP's recognition for flexible scheduling suggests potential for adjusted start/end times or hybrid arrangements, subject to team and organizational needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" designation is important, but the mention of "flexible schedules" and the "When Work Works" award suggests that candidates should inquire about the specific balance between on-site presence and remote flexibility during the interview process.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a phone or video call with an HR representative or recruiter to assess basic qualifications, salary expectations, and cultural fit.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A detailed discussion with the hiring manager (likely a C-suite executive) to delve into strategic thinking, product vision, leadership experience, and alignment with AFP's mission. Expect questions about past successes and challenges.

• Cross-Functional Team Interviews: Meetings with key stakeholders from Marketing, Sales, Technology, and Finance to assess collaboration style, ability to influence, and understanding of GTM dynamics.

• Portfolio Presentation/Case Study: A critical stage where candidates will be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing strategic roadmaps, business cases, and product lifecycle management examples. This may also include a specific case study related to AFP's product challenges or opportunities.

• Executive/Final Interview: A final conversation with senior leadership to confirm strategic alignment, leadership potential, and overall fit for the organization.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Showcase quantifiable achievements and the business impact of your strategic decisions (e.g., revenue growth, member acquisition/retention, market share increase).

• Strategic Narrative: Structure your portfolio presentations around a clear narrative that demonstrates your strategic thought process, problem-solving abilities, and leadership approach.

• Tailor to AFP: Research AFP's current offerings, strategic goals, and challenges. Frame your examples to show how your experience directly addresses their needs. For instance, how would you enhance membership value or strategize for a new digital learning product?

• Showcase Collaboration: Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with sales, marketing, and technology teams to bring products to market.

• Data-Driven Evidence: Support your claims with data and metrics. Explain the KPIs you used and the insights derived from them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Product Strategy Case Study: Be prepared for a case study that requires you to analyze a hypothetical or real AFP product/market scenario. Focus on identifying opportunities, developing a strategic approach, outlining a roadmap, and proposing key metrics for success.

• Financial Modeling/Business Case: Practice developing a high-level business case or financial projection for a new product or feature, considering pricing, costs, and potential revenue.

• Leadership Scenarios: Prepare to discuss your leadership style, how you manage conflict, motivate teams, and influence stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Senior Director, Global Product Strategy" title implies a heavy emphasis on strategic thinking and business acumen. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate a deep understanding of market dynamics, financial modeling, and cross-functional execution in their portfolio and interview responses.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools (Likely Used/Expected):

• Product Management Platforms: Tools like Aha!, Productboard, or Jira Product Discovery for roadmap planning, feature prioritization, and backlog management.

• Project Management Software: Tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, or Monday.com for tracking project progress and cross-functional workflows.

• CRM Systems: Salesforce, HubSpot, or similar CRM for understanding customer segments, sales pipelines, and member engagement data.

• Analytics & Business Intelligence Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics, or internal BI tools for data analysis, performance tracking, and reporting on product metrics.

• Collaboration & Communication Tools: Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom, and standard office productivity suites (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace).

• Market Research & Competitive Analysis Tools: Platforms like Statista, Forrester, Gartner, or specialized competitive intelligence tools.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SQL) to extract and interpret data.

• Experience with BI tools for creating dashboards and reports to visualize product performance and market insights.

• Ability to define and track key metrics such as customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), churn rate, adoption rates, and revenue per user/member. CRM & Automation:

• Understanding of how CRM data informs product strategy and how product features can drive CRM adoption and sales effectiveness.

• Familiarity with marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot, HubSpot) for understanding member engagement and product communication strategies.

• Experience with integration concepts between product platforms, CRM, and marketing automation tools to ensure data flow and cohesive customer journeys.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, a Senior Director role implies a need for proficiency with industry-standard product management, analytics, and collaboration tools. The emphasis on data and cross-functional alignment means that understanding how different systems integrate and provide insights is crucial.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to always striving to be better, reflecting a culture of ongoing learning and enhancement in product strategy and execution.

• Collaboration & Transparency: Encouraging open communication, active listening, and breaking down silos to foster effective teamwork across departments.

• Courageous Leadership: Empowering individuals to take initiative, make bold decisions, and drive innovation, even in the face of uncertainty.

• Shared Ownership & Accountability: A belief that everyone is "all in it together," emphasizing collective responsibility for the success of the organization and its products.

• Customer-Centricity: A deep focus on understanding and serving the needs of the corporate finance professional, ensuring that all products and strategies deliver tangible value.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: The role demands a highly collaborative style, working seamlessly with diverse teams to align product strategy with sales, marketing, technology, and financial objectives.

• Open Dialogue & Feedback: An environment where constructive feedback is welcomed and shared openly to refine strategies and improve processes.

• Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages the sharing of insights, best practices, and learnings across teams to elevate collective understanding and performance.

• Agile & Adaptive: A willingness to adapt strategies and approaches based on market feedback, performance data, and evolving organizational priorities.

📝 Enhancement Note: AFP's stated values (growth, collaboration, innovation, courageous leadership) directly inform the expected team culture. Candidates should demonstrate how their personal values and professional behaviors align with these core principles, particularly in how they approach problem-solving and team dynamics.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Stakeholder Needs: Navigating diverse stakeholder expectations (members, internal departments, executive leadership) to align on product priorities and strategic direction.

• Market Volatility & Disruption: Adapting product strategy to rapidly changing financial industry trends, technological advancements, and competitive pressures.

• Driving Innovation in a Mature Market: Identifying and executing on innovative product strategies within the established association and professional development space.

• Global Market Nuances: Understanding and catering to the unique needs and regulatory landscapes of finance professionals in different global regions.

• Resource Allocation & Prioritization: Making difficult decisions about resource allocation and prioritizing initiatives to maximize impact with available resources.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepening Industry Expertise: Gaining extensive knowledge of the corporate finance and treasury profession, its evolving needs, and the broader landscape of professional development.

• Global Market Strategy Development: Enhancing skills in understanding and strategizing for international markets, including cultural nuances and regulatory differences.

• Executive Leadership Acumen: Developing strategic leadership capabilities, including advanced financial modeling, organizational strategy, and executive communication.

• Mentorship & Team Leadership: Honing skills in coaching, developing, and leading a high-performing product strategy team.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Opportunities to attend relevant industry events, engage with peers, and stay abreast of emerging trends in finance, technology, and product management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for a senior product strategy role in a dynamic industry. Highlighting how candidates have successfully navigated similar challenges in the past will be crucial. The growth opportunities emphasize career advancement and skill enhancement in areas critical for senior leadership.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your process for developing a 1-3 year product strategy roadmap. How do you incorporate market trends, competitive analysis, and internal capabilities?" (Focus on structured approach, data sources, and alignment with business goals.)

• "Walk us through a time you had to make a difficult prioritization decision for your product portfolio. What was the situation, your process, and the outcome?" (Highlight decision-making framework, stakeholder management, and impact.)

• "How do you identify and evaluate new revenue-generating opportunities for a membership-based organization like AFP?" (Demonstrate understanding of membership models, value proposition, and revenue diversification.)

• "Explain your approach to pricing strategy for professional development products or services. What factors do you consider?" (Showcase financial acumen, market understanding, and value-based pricing.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "Based on your research, what do you see as AFP's biggest product opportunity or challenge in the next 3-5 years?" (Demonstrate thorough research and strategic foresight.)

• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and collaboration within a product team and across departments?" (Align with AFP's values of innovation and collaboration.)

• "Describe your leadership style and how you coach and develop team members. How would you apply this to leading the Product Strategy team at AFP?" (Showcase leadership philosophy and team development approach.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio around key achievements, focusing on 2-3 significant projects. For each, clearly define the challenge, your strategic approach, the actions taken (including collaboration), the results (quantified with metrics), and lessons learned.

• Visual Storytelling: Use clear, concise visuals (charts, graphs, roadmaps) to illustrate your points. Avoid overwhelming slides with text.

• Focus on Relevance: Tailor your examples to AFP's context. If you have experience with membership models, professional development, or financial services, emphasize those cases.

• Quantify Everything: For each success, provide specific numbers: revenue generated, cost savings, member growth, engagement improvements, etc.

• Practice Your Narrative: Rehearse your presentation to ensure a smooth, confident delivery. Be prepared to answer in-depth questions about your strategic choices and execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to discuss their strategic thinking, financial justification capabilities, and leadership approach. The portfolio presentation is a critical component, and candidates must be able to articulate their impact clearly and persuasively, tailored to AFP's mission and market.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Senior Director, Global Product Strategy position:

• Submit your application through the provided ADP link: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=4efb4a1c-dd50-496c-946d-d1083d184323&jobId=572635

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your portfolio to highlight experiences most relevant to AFP's mission, focusing on product strategy, revenue generation, membership value, and professional development. Prepare to showcase specific examples of product roadmaps, business cases, and lifecycle management.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly articulates your 10+ years of progressive experience, highlighting leadership achievements, strategic impact, and financial acumen. Incorporate keywords from the job description such as "product strategy," "portfolio management," "revenue growth," "cross-functional leadership," and "financial acumen."

• Interview Preparation: Thoroughly research AFP, its market position, and its product offerings. Prepare detailed answers to potential strategy, leadership, and cultural fit questions, and practice presenting your portfolio with a clear, data-driven narrative.

• Company & Culture Alignment: Understand AFP's core values (growth, collaboration, innovation, courageous leadership) and be ready to articulate how your professional approach aligns with these principles.

⚠️ 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.