Senior Lead – Deal & Product Strategy (m/w/d)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Lead – Deal & Product Strategy (m/w/d)

Company: MYTY (SHAPE)

Location: Hamburg, Germany (Hybrid/Remote-first ideal)

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Revenue Operations / Strategy & Operations

Date Posted: April 14, 2026

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Spearhead the architecture and strategic development of complex deals, translating client needs into viable, profitable business cases.

• Drive the commercial design and pricing logic for digital products and platform solutions, ensuring long-term margin health and quality delivery.

• Act as a critical risk management point, identifying potential implementation challenges during the sales and scoping phases.

• Facilitate high-level workshops, acting as a trusted advisor to C-level stakeholders both internally and externally, fostering strategic alignment and decision-making.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role bridges the gap between sales strategy, product development, and operational execution, focusing on the commercial viability and strategic alignment of new business opportunities and existing client growth. It requires a strong understanding of how to price and scope digital products and services for profitability and successful delivery.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Deal Architecture & Strategy: Lead discovery phases to thoroughly understand client requirements, define project scopes, and develop innovative solution approaches that integrate technological advancements (e.g., AI use cases) with sound economic principles.

• Customer Development & Expansion: Collaborate with account teams to identify and pursue growth opportunities within existing client relationships. This includes optimizing scopes, ensuring accurate recalculations, and driving strategic upselling and cross-selling initiatives.

• Commercial Design & Pricing: Develop and implement appropriate pricing models (Time & Material, Value-Based, Fixed-Price Packages) to secure healthy margins and guarantee the quality of delivered solutions. This involves deep analysis of project complexity, resource allocation, and market value.

• Risk Identification & Mitigation: Proactively identify potential "red flags" in client requirements and project scoping that could lead to execution issues or scope creep, implementing preventative measures to safeguard project success and profitability.

• Workshop Leadership & Facilitation: Design and lead co-creation workshops and strategic discussions with C-level executives and key client decision-makers, guiding them toward informed choices and solidifying deal structures.

• Profitability Analysis: Conduct thorough analysis of proposed deals to ensure alignment with business objectives, margin targets, and long-term profitability, providing strategic recommendations for deal optimization.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) to ensure seamless handover from sales to delivery, and to align deal strategy with operational capacity and strategic goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a proactive, strategic approach to deal-making and client growth, focusing on the financial and operational health of projects from inception. This role requires a blend of strategic thinking, commercial acumen, and a deep understanding of digital product development processes.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: While no specific degree is mandated, a strong academic background in Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, or a related field is advantageous. Advanced degrees or certifications in strategy, product management, or finance would be highly valued.

Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of senior-level experience in digital agencies, management consulting, or within product-focused units of technology companies. Proven track record of structuring and successfully closing complex deals, particularly in the digital product or platform space.

Required Skills:

• Deal Architecture & Structuring: Expertise in defining project scope, deliverables, and commercial terms for complex digital solutions.

• Business Case Development: Ability to translate client needs and technical solutions into robust financial models and value propositions.

• Commercial Design & Pricing Strategy: Proficient in various pricing models (T&M, Value-Based, Fixed Price) and their application to digital services and products.

• Risk Management: Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and mitigate commercial and operational risks within deal structures.

• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to engage with and influence C-level executives, clients, and internal leadership (CSO, COO).

• Methodological Proficiency: Mastery of frameworks such as Design Thinking, Value Innovation, modern Requirement Management, and strategic analysis tools.

• Technological Affinity: Solid understanding of modern platform logic, digital product lifecycles, and realistic assessment of AI and emerging technology potential.

• Workshop Facilitation: Proven experience in leading effective workshops, particularly for strategic discussions and co-creation with senior stakeholders.

• Analytical Skills: Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical capabilities to dissect business models, assess profitability, and identify growth levers.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with specific CRM systems for deal tracking and pipeline management.

• Familiarity with project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum) as they relate to scoping and delivery.

• Knowledge of specific industry verticals relevant to SHAPE's digital product development.

• Fluency in English, in addition to German.

📝 Enhancement Note: The qualifications highlight a need for seasoned professionals who can operate at a strategic level, possess strong commercial and analytical skills, and have a deep understanding of the digital product development lifecycle and its commercial implications. The blend of strategic, commercial, and technical understanding is crucial.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Deal Structuring Case Studies: Showcase examples of complex deals you have architected, detailing the client's challenge, your proposed solution, the pricing strategy, and the resulting commercial and operational outcomes.

• Profitability & Margin Analysis Examples: Present instances where you successfully analyzed and improved the profitability of deals or existing client engagements through scope optimization or pricing adjustments.

• Risk Assessment Documentation: Include examples of how you've identified and mitigated risks in deal proposals, demonstrating your foresight and strategic planning.

• Client Workshop Summaries/Outcomes: Provide anonymized examples of how you've led strategic workshops, detailing the objectives, methodologies used, and key decisions or outcomes achieved.

Process Documentation:

• Deal Scoping & Validation Workflows: Document your approach to defining project scopes, including methods for requirement gathering, validation with stakeholders, and ensuring scope clarity.

• Commercial Model Design & Implementation: Illustrate your process for designing and implementing pricing strategies, from initial analysis to final agreement, including considerations for different deal types.

• Performance Measurement & Analysis: Demonstrate how you track and analyze the performance of deals post-acquisition, focusing on profitability, client satisfaction, and identifying opportunities for expansion or re-scoping.

📝 Enhancement Note: A portfolio demonstrating practical experience in structuring profitable deals, managing commercial aspects, and mitigating risks is essential. Candidates should prepare to present concrete examples of their strategic thinking and execution capabilities in these areas.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: For a Senior Lead role with significant strategic responsibility in Hamburg, Germany, a competitive annual salary range is estimated to be between €90,000 and €130,000. This range is based on industry benchmarks for similar roles in major German tech hubs, considering the required experience level, direct reporting to CSO, and the hybrid work model.

Benefits:

• Top Equipment: Provision of high-quality hardware and software necessary for the role.

• Mobility Budget: Financial support for transportation needs, potentially covering public transport, car leasing, or other mobility solutions.

• Expert Network: Access to a network of skilled professionals within SHAPE and the broader MYTY Group, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Flexible Work Arrangement: "Remote-first" policy with the expectation of some in-office presence in Hamburg for collaborative sessions.

• Performance-Based Compensation: The compensation structure is flexible and includes a fixed component and a variable performance-based mix, rewarding successful deal outcomes and strategic contributions.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning and skill enhancement relevant to strategy, product development, and commercial operations.

Working Hours: Standard full-time hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week. The "Remote-first" approach suggests flexibility in daily scheduling, focusing on output and meeting strategic objectives rather than strict adherence to office hours, provided core responsibilities and collaborative needs are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on general market data for senior strategy and operations roles in Germany. The specific compensation package will be tailored and negotiable based on individual experience, performance, and the agreed-upon mix between fixed and variable components.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: The company operates within the Digital Products and Platforms sector, focusing on developing custom digital solutions, often incorporating advanced technologies like AI. This positions SHAPE as a strategic partner for businesses looking to innovate and digitize.

Company Size: SHAPE is part of the MYTY Group, which provides a stable corporate backing. While SHAPE's specific size isn't detailed, its "Remote-first" approach and focus on high-impact roles suggest a dynamic, digitally-native environment. The MYTY Group is likely a larger entity, offering the resources and stability of a substantial organization.

Founded: The founding date of SHAPE is not explicitly stated, but its focus on modern digital products, AI, and a "Remote-first" culture indicates a contemporary operational philosophy. The MYTY Group's founding date, if available, would provide context for its overall scale and history.

Team Structure:

• Reporting Line: This role reports directly to the Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), indicating a high level of strategic importance and direct executive exposure. Collaboration with the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is also a key aspect.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Close integration with sales, account management, product development, and delivery teams is essential. The role acts as a critical bridge between client-facing strategy and internal operational execution.

• Decision-Making: The role is positioned to influence strategic decisions regarding deal acceptance, scope definition, and commercial strategy, operating with a significant degree of autonomy within its defined responsibilities.

Methodology:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Emphasis on using data and business case analysis to inform strategic choices and commercial models.

• Agile & Iterative Approach: Implied through the focus on digital products and modern methodologies like Design Thinking, suggesting an adaptable and iterative process for deal development and product strategy.

• Customer-Centric Strategy: The core of the role involves translating customer needs into viable business solutions, highlighting a strong customer focus.

Company Website: MYTY Group Website - https://www.myty.com/ (Assuming this is the parent company website)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is likely fast-paced, innovation-driven, and values autonomy and expertise. The "Remote-first" policy suggests a modern, trust-based work environment. The integration within the MYTY Group offers both the agility of a specialized unit and the stability of a larger entity.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Senior Lead," indicating a high level of individual contribution and strategic influence. It's a key role within the strategy and operations function, with direct reporting to the CSO. This level typically involves leading significant initiatives, mentoring junior team members, and shaping strategic direction.

Reporting Structure: Reporting directly to the CSO provides a clear path for strategic alignment and executive visibility. Close collaboration with the COO ensures that strategic decisions are grounded in operational realities and capabilities. This structure allows for rapid feedback loops and direct impact on company strategy.

Operations Impact: The role's direct impact is on deal acquisition, profitability, and the strategic direction of digital product offerings. By ensuring that deals are commercially sound and strategically aligned from the outset, this position directly influences revenue growth, margin performance, and SHAPE's long-term market positioning. It's a critical function for sustainable business growth and operational efficiency.

Growth Opportunities:

• Strategic Leadership: Potential to grow into a Head of Deal Strategy, Head of Commercial Operations, or a broader strategic leadership role within SHAPE or the MYTY Group.

• Product Portfolio Expansion: Opportunity to influence and shape the company's entire digital product and service portfolio strategy.

• Mentorship & Team Building: As a Senior Lead, there's a strong possibility to mentor junior strategists or build out a dedicated deal strategy function.

• Industry Expertise Development: Deepen expertise in emerging technologies like AI and their strategic and commercial application in digital product development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a significant opportunity for professionals looking to make a strategic impact and grow within a dynamic digital product environment. The direct reporting line and focus on core business outcomes provide a clear path for career advancement and leadership development.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The company operates on a "Remote-first" model, indicating that remote work is the standard. However, the mention of a Hamburg location and a "Hybrid/Remote-Mix ideal" suggests that there may be a physical office or co-working space available for those who prefer or require in-person collaboration. This offers flexibility and caters to different working styles.

Office Location(s): The primary physical location mentioned is Hamburg, Germany, at Kleine Freiheit 68, 22767. This provides a hub for potential in-person meetings, team gatherings, or for employees who choose to work from an office environment.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Despite the remote-first nature, the role emphasizes strong internal collaboration with CSO, COO, and account teams, as well as external collaboration with clients, particularly C-level executives. This necessitates effective virtual collaboration tools and practices.

• Operations Tools & Technology: Access to modern technology and tools is implied, likely including robust communication platforms, project management software, CRM systems, and analytics tools necessary for deal analysis and strategy development.

• Team Interaction: Opportunities for team interaction will likely occur through scheduled virtual meetings, dedicated collaboration sessions, and potentially occasional in-person team events or workshops in Hamburg.

Work Schedule: The "Remote-first" and flexible approach allows for adaptable work schedules. While full-time commitment is expected, the emphasis is on results and strategic contribution rather than rigid daily hours, allowing professionals to manage their time effectively around core responsibilities and collaborative needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Remote-first" model combined with a Hamburg hub provides a modern, flexible work environment. Candidates should be adept at remote collaboration and self-management, while also being willing to engage in in-person interactions when necessary.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your application, focusing on your resume and any provided portfolio materials, assessing alignment with the core requirements for deal strategy and commercial acumen.

• Hiring Manager/CSO Interview: An in-depth discussion about your experience in deal architecture, pricing strategy, risk management, and stakeholder engagement. Expect to provide specific examples from your past roles.

• Case Study/Problem-Solving Session: You may be asked to analyze a hypothetical deal scenario or a business problem, demonstrating your analytical skills, strategic thinking, and ability to develop commercially viable solutions. This could involve a take-home assignment or an in-interview exercise.

• Cross-functional/COO Interview: An interview focusing on your understanding of operational execution, collaboration with delivery teams, and your ability to integrate strategy with operational realities.

• Cultural Fit & Final Interview: A discussion to assess alignment with SHAPE's values, working style, and overall cultural fit, potentially with senior leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Quantify Achievements: For each case study, clearly articulate the metrics and results achieved (e.g., increased deal value by X%, improved margin by Y%, successful closure rate of Z%).

• Showcase Process: Detail the methodologies and frameworks you employed (e.g., how you conducted discovery, developed pricing, managed risks, facilitated workshops).

• Highlight Strategic Impact: Explain the strategic rationale behind your decisions and how they contributed to the client's and SHAPE's objectives.

• Focus on Deal Architecture: Provide specific examples of how you've structured complex deals, from initial client engagement through to contract finalization.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to digital products, platform logic, and AI use cases, as mentioned in the job description.

Challenge Preparation:

• Business Model Analysis: Be prepared to quickly dissect and analyze different business models, identifying key value drivers and profitability levers.

• Pricing Strategy Scenarios: Practice developing pricing strategies for various digital products and services, considering different client needs and market conditions.

• Risk Identification Exercise: Think about common pitfalls in digital project deals and how you would proactively address them.

• Stakeholder Communication: Prepare how you would communicate complex strategic and commercial information clearly and concisely to C-level audiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The application process emphasizes practical experience and strategic problem-solving. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their capabilities through concrete examples and potentially a case study, showcasing their ability to drive profitable growth through strategic deal-making.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CRM Systems: Proficiency with leading CRM platforms (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) for managing deal pipelines, tracking customer interactions, and forecasting.

• Collaboration Platforms: Expertise in tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or similar for seamless internal and external communication in a remote-first environment.

• Project Management Software: Familiarity with tools such as Asana, Jira, Trello, or Monday.com for managing workflows, tasks, and project timelines, especially as they relate to deal scope and handover.

• Presentation & Documentation Tools: Advanced skills in PowerPoint/Google Slides for creating compelling proposals and presentations, and tools like Confluence or Notion for documentation.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Spreadsheet Software: Advanced Excel or Google Sheets for financial modeling, data analysis, and creating pricing structures.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Experience with BI platforms such as Tableau, Power BI, or Looker for data visualization, performance tracking, and generating insights from deal and customer data.

• Financial Modeling Software: Familiarity with tools or techniques for building robust financial models to support business cases and pricing strategies.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Administration/Configuration (Preferred): Understanding of how CRM systems can be configured to support deal strategy and sales processes.

• Workflow Automation Tools (Basic Understanding): Awareness of how automation can streamline processes, particularly in sales operations and deal management.

• Data Analysis & Visualization Tools: Ability to pull data from various sources and present it in a clear, actionable format.

📝 Enhancement Note: While specific tools aren't listed, the role implies a need for strong analytical, presentation, and communication skills, supported by proficiency in standard business software. Experience with CRM and BI tools is highly relevant for deal tracking, analysis, and reporting.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Strategic Impact: A drive to contribute directly to the company's strategic growth and profitability through well-structured deals and product strategies.

• Data-Driven Approach: Emphasis on using rigorous analysis, business cases, and metrics to inform decisions and validate strategies.

• Customer Centricity: A commitment to understanding and meeting customer needs while ensuring commercial viability.

• Innovation & Quality: A passion for developing cutting-edge digital products and platforms, coupled with a high regard for quality and execution.

• Collaboration & Trust: A culture that fosters open communication, mutual respect, and effective teamwork, especially in a remote-first environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Consultative: Engaging with stakeholders as a trusted advisor, offering strategic insights and solutions.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly across departments (Sales, Strategy, Operations, Delivery) to ensure alignment and smooth transitions.

• Feedback-Oriented: Open to constructive feedback and actively seeking input to refine strategies and processes.

• Results-Focused: United by a common goal of delivering successful, profitable projects and enhancing the company's product portfolio.

📝 Enhancement Note: The culture likely values autonomy, expertise, and a proactive, results-oriented mindset. Collaboration is key, even in a remote setting, emphasizing clear communication and a shared commitment to strategic objectives and quality delivery.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Profitability: The primary challenge is to develop cutting-edge digital solutions (e.g., AI-driven products) while ensuring they are commercially viable and profitable from the outset.

• Translating Client Needs to Scopes: Effectively scoping complex, evolving client requirements into clear, manageable, and financially sound project plans can be challenging.

• Navigating Stakeholder Expectations: Managing expectations and aligning strategic goals across internal leadership (CSO, COO) and external C-level clients requires strong negotiation and communication skills.

• Adapting to Evolving Technologies: Staying abreast of rapid technological advancements (like AI) and integrating them strategically and realistically into deal proposals.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Strategic Deal Mastery: Deepen expertise in complex deal structuring, value-based pricing, and strategic business case development within the digital product space.

• Emerging Technology Integration: Gain hands-on experience in assessing and incorporating new technologies like AI into product strategy and deal architecture.

• Leadership and Mentorship: Develop leadership skills through direct interaction with senior executives and potential opportunities to mentor junior team members.

• Industry Exposure: Work with a diverse range of clients and projects, building a broad understanding of different market needs and digital product applications.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant challenges that are directly tied to growth opportunities. Overcoming these challenges will foster advanced strategic, commercial, and leadership capabilities.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex digital deal you architected. What were the key challenges, your approach to structuring it, and the commercial outcomes?" (Focus on deal architecture, commercial design, and risk management.)

• "How would you approach pricing a new AI-driven product for a C-level client who is budget-conscious but seeking innovation?" (Prepare to discuss value-based pricing, ROI justification, and risk mitigation.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What are your thoughts on SHAPE's 'Remote-first' approach, and how do you ensure effective collaboration and strategic alignment in such an environment?" (Highlight your experience with remote work and collaboration tools.)

• "Based on our company description, how do you see your role contributing to SHAPE's mission of building strategically thought-out and technologically scalable digital products?" (Show your understanding of the company's core business and your strategic fit.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each example, clearly define the Problem, your Solution (including deal structure, pricing, risk mitigation), and the Results (quantified impact).

• Highlight Your Role: Emphasize your specific contributions and decision-making authority within each case.

• Focus on Commercial Acumen: Clearly articulate the financial implications and profitability drivers of your strategies.

• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your methodologies, decision rationale, and potential alternative approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: Be prepared to discuss your experience with concrete examples that showcase your strategic thinking, commercial expertise, and ability to manage complex deals from inception to profitable execution. Demonstrating your understanding of digital products and emerging technologies will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your comprehensive resume and cover letter through the provided application link on the MYTY jobs portal.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate a selection of your most relevant case studies that highlight your experience in deal architecture, commercial design, and profitability analysis. Focus on digital product or platform-related examples.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your years of experience, key responsibilities in deal structuring, pricing strategy, and stakeholder management, using keywords from the job description. Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your experience using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) and prepare to discuss your approach to common strategic and commercial challenges relevant to this role.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review the MYTY website and any available information on SHAPE to understand their market positioning, client base, and technological focus. Prepare thoughtful questions about their strategic direction and operational challenges.

⚠️ 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.