Senior Product Strategy Specialist (Mgr Project Management 2) 29804

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Senior Product Strategy Specialist (Mgr Project Management 2) 29804

Company: HII's Mission Technologies division

Location: McLean, VA

Job Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt

Category: Product Strategy & Operations / Project Management

Date Posted: 2026-08-16

Experience Level: Senior (5-10 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Drive the development of product strategy and investment recommendations for HII's Mission Technologies division, acting as a foundational member of a new Product Strategy function.

• Translate complex warfighter needs, mission gaps, and acquisition signals into actionable product concepts and investment-ready business cases, bridging the gap between technical capabilities and strategic investment.

• Co-develop mid-to-long-term product roadmaps, conducting rigorous financial analyses, and fostering strategic partnerships across industry, government, and academia to accelerate product evolution.

• Operate at the intersection of engineering, product management, sales, and executive leadership, synthesizing deep-dive analyses into executive-level recommendations for high-stakes decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a "Senior Product Strategy Specialist" but includes "Mgr Project Management 2" in the title, indicating a blend of strategic product development and project management responsibilities. The emphasis on "founding team member" and "second hire" suggests significant autonomy and the opportunity to shape the function. The target candidate is expected to be an "all-around athlete" comfortable with ambiguity and cross-functional work, likely transitioning from a strategy, finance, or consulting background into a more product-centric domain within the defense sector.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the creation and execution of rigorous investment analyses and business cases for new product initiatives, encompassing development and recurring cost models, addressable market sizing, competitive positioning, risk assessment, NPV/IRR calculations, and strategic alignment.

• Build and maintain sophisticated financial models to inform stage-gate decisions, allocate IR&D/B&P (Independent Research and Development/Business and Professional) budgets, and guide capital investments.

• Partner with business groups, the Chief Growth Officer (CGO), and CTO/Products and Innovation teams to distill warfighter needs, capability gaps, and emerging DoD requirements into clear product definitions, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) scopes, and prioritized roadmap inputs.

• Drive the creation and iteration of mid-to-long-term product roadmaps for the Mission Technologies division, integrating market trends, technology maturity, investment priorities, and strategic pivots to ensure actionable plans defensible to executive stakeholders.

• Recommend portfolio actions (invest, pivot, sustain, or sunset) based on data, financial modeling, and clearly articulated assumptions, presenting these recommendations with supporting analysis to division and corporate leadership.

• Identify, prioritize, and help structure strategic partnerships across industry, government, and academia in coordination with Mission Technologies executive leadership, leading stakeholder engagement to negotiate mutually beneficial agreements that advance product strategy and divisional growth objectives.

• Brief group, division, and corporate executive leadership on product strategy, market posture, and investment recommendations, partnering with product line managers and business group leaders to embed strategic business-case thinking into product planning processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a strong emphasis on quantitative analysis (financial modeling, NPV/IRR, cost models) and strategic decision-making (portfolio actions, partnership structuring). The role requires translating abstract needs (warfighter requirements) into concrete product strategies and roadmaps, demanding a blend of analytical rigor and strategic foresight. The expectation to "enable cross-functional alignment" and "brief executive leadership" underscores the importance of strong communication and influencing skills.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with 6 years of progressive relevant experience.

• Master's degree in a related field with 4 years of progressive relevant experience.

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 10 years of progressive relevant experience.

• MBA or advanced degree is preferred but not required. Experience:

• 6+ years of experience in a strategic role, preferably with exposure to defense, maritime, or technology focus areas.

• 3+ years in strategy consulting is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to build investment cases, including addressable market sizing, cost modeling (development and recurring), IRR/NPV analysis, risk quantification, and competitive benchmarking.

• Experience working with cross-functional teams (engineering, product, sales, finance) on requirements decomposition, trade studies, feasibility assessments, and roadmap prioritization.

• Working knowledge of DoD acquisition pathways (Adaptive Acquisition Framework, OTA, MTA, Software Acquisition) and PPBE (Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution) processes, or the ability to rapidly learn.

• Familiarity with defense products, technologies, and industry trends (e.g., C5ISR, unmanned systems, AI/ML applications). Required Skills:

• Strong executive communication skills: Ability to synthesize complex analyses into crisp, actionable insights for senior leadership (C-suite, Board).

• Proven stakeholder management: Track record of influencing cross-functional teams and navigating complex organizations to drive alignment and decisions.

• Comfort with ambiguity: Thrives in fast-paced, nascent functions with evolving priorities.

• Proficiency in financial modeling (Excel).

• Proficiency in executive presentation tools (PowerPoint, Tableau, etc.).

• Ability to obtain a Secret security clearance. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in strategy consulting.

• Familiarity with defense, maritime, or technology focus areas.

• Experience with advanced analytics and visualization tools beyond standard presentation software.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements clearly indicate a senior-level role, emphasizing practical application of strategic and financial concepts. The "technical experience" section is critical, detailing specific analytical outputs and knowledge areas (DoD acquisition, market sizing). The "Leadership & Communication" section highlights soft skills essential for influencing and driving decisions at the executive level, particularly the "comfort with ambiguity" which is key for a "founding team member" role.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrations of structured problem-solving and analytical rigor applied to strategic business challenges.

• Case studies showcasing the development of investment analyses, including financial projections, market assessments, and risk evaluations.

• Examples of translated requirements into defined product concepts or roadmap elements.

• Documentation of strategic partnership identification, structuring, or management efforts.

• Evidence of influencing cross-functional teams or senior leadership towards strategic decisions. Process Documentation:

• Showcase the methodology used for conducting investment analyses, from data gathering to final recommendation.

• Detail the approach to distilling complex stakeholder needs into clear product definitions and roadmap priorities.

• Illustrate the process for developing and presenting strategic recommendations to executive audiences.

• Provide examples of how financial models were built and utilized to inform critical business decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the role's focus on strategy, investment, and business cases, a portfolio should emphasize analytical outputs and strategic impact. Candidates should be prepared to present case studies that highlight their ability to structure ambiguous problems, perform quantitative analysis, and communicate complex findings effectively to senior stakeholders. The emphasis on "investment analyses" and "business cases" suggests a need for documented financial modeling and strategic rationale.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $114,319.00 - $160,000.00 annually

Benefits:

• Best-in-class medical, dental, and vision plan choices.

• Wellness resources.

• Employee assistance programs.

• 401(k) savings plan options.

• Financial planning tools.

• Life insurance.

• Employee discounts.

• Paid holidays.

• Paid time off.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships.

• Bonus/other non-recurrent compensation may be offered for qualified positions.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (Full Time/Salaried/Exempt)

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is specific and within industry standards for a Senior Product Strategy Specialist role in the Washington D.C. metro area, especially within the defense sector. The benefits package is comprehensive, typical for a large government contractor like HII, offering a strong mix of health, financial, and educational support. The "Full Time/Salaried/Exempt" designation indicates a standard professional work arrangement.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Defense Technology and Services. HII's Mission Technologies division specifically focuses on accelerating national security solutions through a "data evolution," encompassing capabilities like C5ISR, AI and Big Data, cyber operations, synthetic training environments, fleet sustainment, and unmanned systems. This positions the company at the forefront of integrating advanced technology into defense applications.

Company Size: HII employs over 7,000 professionals worldwide within the Mission Technologies division alone, and the broader HII corporation is significantly larger. This indicates a substantial organization with established processes, but the "new Product Strategy function" suggests a dynamic, potentially startup-like environment within a larger corporate structure.

Founded: HII was founded in 1943. The Mission Technologies division is a more recent strategic focus, indicating a long-standing company evolving to meet modern defense challenges, particularly in data and AI.

Team Structure:

• The role reports directly to the Director of Product Strategy, and is the second hire in this new function, implying a small, agile team with direct executive access.

• Collaboration is expected across multiple departments: engineering, product management, sales, CGO, CTO/Products and Innovation, business groups, and corporate leadership.

• The team's structure will likely evolve as the function scales, with potential for future team-building responsibilities for the incumbent. Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is central, with an emphasis on rigorous investment analyses, financial modeling, and market sizing.

• Strategic thinking is paramount, requiring the translation of abstract needs into concrete product roadmaps and portfolio recommendations.

• Cross-functional collaboration is a core operational approach, ensuring alignment across diverse departments to achieve strategic objectives.

• Agile principles may be implicitly applied in product development and roadmap iteration, given the focus on evolving technologies and warfighter needs.

Company Website: https://www.hii.com/ (The provided URL was null, so using the main HII URL)

📝 Enhancement Note: The company context emphasizes HII's significant presence in the defense sector and its strategic pivot towards data and advanced technologies. The "new Product Strategy function" is a key differentiator, suggesting an opportunity for high impact and shaping a critical area of the business. The "Leadership Capability Framework" provides insight into expected behaviors and values, focusing on people development, relationships, ownership, customer focus, future shaping, and urgency.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is classified as Senior, with "Mgr Project Management 2" indicating a level that blends advanced individual contribution with potential for future management. It sits at a critical nexus of strategy, product, and finance, offering high visibility.

Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Director of Product Strategy, as the second member of a newly forming team. This implies direct mentorship and significant exposure to senior leadership within Mission Technologies and potentially HII corporate.

Operations Impact: The role is designed to have a direct and significant impact on capital allocation, product portfolio direction, and the strategic growth of the Mission Technologies division. By shaping investment decisions and product roadmaps, the Specialist will influence the development of national security capabilities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Founding Team Member: Opportunity to shape and build a new function from the ground up, establishing processes and best practices.

• Leadership Potential: As the Product Strategy function scales, there will be opportunities to build and lead a team, moving into formal management roles.

• Skill Development: Deepen expertise in defense acquisition, financial modeling for complex R&D investments, strategic partnership development, and executive-level communication.

• Cross-Functional Expertise: Gain broad exposure to various aspects of the defense technology business, from engineering and product development to sales and corporate strategy.

• Visibility: High-level exposure to executive leadership, offering a platform for career advancement within HII.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth trajectory for this role is clearly articulated. The "founding team member" aspect is a significant draw, offering the chance to influence direction. The progression from individual contributor to potential team lead is a standard but valuable career path, especially within a growing function. The emphasis on "mission impact" and "high stakes decisions" suggests that successful performance will be highly visible and rewarded.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: While the role is designated as "On-site," the specific office environment in McLean, VA, likely offers a professional, corporate setting typical of defense contractors. This would include collaborative workspaces, private offices, and meeting rooms.

Office Location(s): McLean, Virginia, USA. This location is a hub for government contractors and defense industry players, offering proximity to government agencies and other industry partners.

Workspace Context:

• The environment will be fast-paced and dynamic, especially within the nascent Product Strategy function.

• Expect a high degree of collaboration with individuals from diverse technical and business backgrounds.

• Access to necessary tools for financial modeling and executive presentations will be provided.

• The culture, as per HII's framework, emphasizes building relationships and fostering collaboration.

Work Schedule: Standard 40-hour work week, as a Full Time/Salaried/Exempt employee. However, the nature of strategic roles and dealing with executive stakeholders may require flexibility and occasional extended hours, especially during critical analysis or presentation periods.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "On-site" requirement in McLean, VA, places the role within a significant defense industry corridor. The description suggests a professional, collaborative, and potentially demanding work environment, characteristic of roles with high executive visibility and strategic importance. The mention of "comfort with ambiguity" implies that the immediate workspace might be evolving as the new function establishes itself.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A recruiter or hiring manager will review applications to assess alignment with core requirements, particularly experience in investment analysis, strategic thinking, and communication skills.

• Technical/Functional Interview: Expect in-depth discussions focused on your experience with financial modeling, business case development, market sizing, and DoD acquisition processes. Be prepared to walk through examples from your experience.

• Case Study/Problem-Solving Exercise: A common element for strategy roles. This could involve analyzing a hypothetical product or investment scenario, requiring you to structure a problem, perform analysis, and present recommendations. This will likely be a significant focus for portfolio review.

• Cross-Functional/Leadership Interview: Discussions with the Director of Product Strategy and potentially other senior leaders to assess cultural fit, leadership potential, collaboration style, and ability to influence.

• Final Interview: May involve presentation of a portfolio piece or a more strategic discussion with executive leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Focus on Impact: Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Instead of "developed a business case," say "developed a business case that informed a $XM investment decision, projecting Y% IRR."

• Structure for Clarity: Organize your portfolio by key skill areas (e.g., Investment Analysis, Product Strategy, Partnership Development) or by project. Use clear headings and concise descriptions.

• Showcase Process: For case studies, outline your approach: problem definition, data sources, analytical methods, key findings, and recommendations.

• Highlight Financial Acumen: Include examples of financial models, NPV/IRR calculations, cost breakdowns, and market sizing methodologies you've employed.

• Demonstrate Communication: Include examples of executive-level presentations or summaries that distill complex information effectively.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize experience relevant to defense, product strategy, and investment analysis.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand the Business: Research HII, Mission Technologies, its key products, and its strategic objectives. Understand the defense industry landscape.

• Practice Financial Modeling: Be ready to build or critique financial models under pressure. Review concepts like NPV, IRR, payback period, TAM/SAM/SOM, and cost modeling.

• Develop Your "Story": Prepare concise narratives for your most impactful projects, focusing on the problem, your solution, and the quantifiable results.

• Anticipate Strategy Questions: Practice articulating your approach to market analysis, competitive strategy, product-market fit, and portfolio management.

• Prepare Questions: Have thoughtful questions ready for the interviewers about the team, strategy, challenges, and growth opportunities.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides actionable advice tailored to a strategy and investment analysis role. The emphasis on a portfolio demonstrating quantitative results and structured problem-solving is crucial. The interview process description prepares candidates for a multi-stage evaluation process common in senior strategy roles, including a potential case study.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Microsoft Excel: Essential for sophisticated financial modeling, cost analysis, NPV/IRR calculations, and market sizing. Advanced proficiency is expected.

• Microsoft PowerPoint: Critical for developing executive-level presentations, synthesizing complex data, and communicating strategic recommendations.

• Tableau (or similar BI tools): Mentioned as a presentation tool, suggesting experience with data visualization and dashboard creation for reporting and analysis.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Tools for market research and competitive intelligence (e.g., industry databases, analyst reports).

• Potential for familiarity with CRM data (e.g., Salesforce) to inform market sizing and sales pipeline insights, though not explicitly stated as a primary tool. CRM & Automation:

• While not explicitly listed, an understanding of how CRM systems feed into sales forecasts and market intelligence would be beneficial.

• Familiarity with project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, MS Project) may be useful given the "Mgr Project Management" aspect of the title, though not a primary focus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core tools are clearly Excel and PowerPoint, highlighting the role's analytical and presentation-heavy nature. The mention of Tableau suggests a need for data visualization skills beyond basic charts. While CRM and project management tools aren't primary requirements, awareness of their outputs and integration points would be advantageous for a role operating at the intersection of sales, product, and strategy.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Know & Grow Your People: While direct reports may not be immediate, fostering a collaborative and development-oriented environment within the new function is key.

• Build Relationships: Crucial for influencing cross-functional teams, government partners, and industry collaborators. Trust and strong partnerships are emphasized.

• Take Ownership: Driving accountability for analyses, recommendations, and the success of the new function. Execution excellence and delivering tangible results are paramount.

• Customer First: Translating "warfighter needs" and "mission gaps" into product strategy aligns directly with serving the ultimate customer.

• Shape the Future: This role is at the heart of shaping the future direction of products and investments within Mission Technologies. Inspiring innovation and aligning work with strategic priorities is essential.

• Act with Urgency: Making informed decisions and moving with purpose is critical in a fast-paced defense environment where needs can evolve rapidly.

Collaboration Style:

• Highly collaborative and cross-functional, requiring effective communication and influence across diverse teams (engineering, product, sales, finance, executive leadership).

• Emphasis on building consensus and driving alignment towards shared strategic goals.

• A proactive approach to seeking out information and engaging stakeholders is expected.

• Openness to feedback and iterative refinement of strategies and analyses is implied by the "nascent functions" and "evolving priorities."

📝 Enhancement Note: The explicit mention of HII's "Leadership Capability Framework" provides a direct insight into the company's values. These values are not just aspirational but are expected to be modeled and built within teams. For this role, "Shape the Future," "Take Ownership," and "Build Relationships" are particularly relevant given its strategic, foundational nature.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Establishing a New Function: Building a Product Strategy function from the ground up requires defining processes, gaining buy-in, and demonstrating value in a large organization.

• Navigating Ambiguity: The role thrives in "nascent functions with evolving priorities," meaning a constant need to adapt and clarify direction.

• Balancing Strategic Vision with Execution: Translating high-level strategy into actionable investment cases and roadmaps requires bridging conceptual thinking with detailed analytical work.

• Influencing Without Direct Authority: As a new function, the Specialist will need strong influencing skills to drive decisions and alignment across established departments.

• Rapidly Evolving Defense Landscape: Keeping pace with technological advancements, geopolitical shifts, and evolving DoD acquisition strategies is a continuous challenge.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Formal Training: Potential for company-sponsored training in areas like advanced financial modeling, defense acquisition, or product management methodologies.

• Mentorship: Direct mentorship from the Director of Product Strategy and exposure to senior executives offers significant learning opportunities.

• Industry Engagement: Opportunities to engage with government acquisition professionals, industry partners, and academia to stay abreast of trends.

• Skill Specialization: Develop deep expertise in specific defense technology domains or financial analysis techniques relevant to R&D investments.

• Leadership Development: As the function grows, opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities and manage a team.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Challenges" section focuses on the inherent difficulties of establishing a new strategic function within a large corporation, particularly in the dynamic defense sector. The "Learning & Development" section highlights the significant potential for professional growth, both in terms of specialized skills and leadership capabilities, directly tied to the role's strategic importance and growth potential.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you developed a complex investment case or business case. What was the problem, your analytical approach, the key findings, and the outcome?" (Focus on financial modeling, market sizing, and ROI)

• "How would you approach translating a broad warfighter requirement into specific product features and a prioritized roadmap?" (Focus on decomposition, MVP definition, and stakeholder alignment)

• "Imagine you need to recommend divesting a product line. What criteria would you use, and how would you present your recommendation to executive leadership?" (Focus on portfolio strategy, financial analysis, and executive communication)

• "How do you build relationships and influence stakeholders across different departments (e.g., Engineering, Sales, Finance) when you don't have direct authority?" (Focus on collaboration, communication, and influencing skills) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about HII's Mission Technologies division and its strategic focus on the 'data evolution' in defense?" (Demonstrate research and strategic understanding)

• "How do you typically approach working in a new, evolving function with some level of ambiguity?" (Assess comfort with ambiguity and proactive problem-solving)

• "How do you see your role contributing to HII's mission of safeguarding our seas, sky, land, space, and cyber?" (Connect personal values/goals to company mission)

• "Describe your experience working with government acquisition processes or DoD clients." (Assess relevant domain knowledge) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a high-level summary of the project and its strategic importance.

• Detail the Process: Clearly outline your methodology for analysis, data collection, and decision-making. Use visuals to illustrate complex concepts.

• Quantify Results: Emphasize the financial (NPV, IRR, ROI) and strategic outcomes of your work. Use numbers and metrics wherever possible.

• Focus on Key Deliverables: Highlight specific outputs like financial models, market assessments, roadmap proposals, or partnership frameworks.

• Tell a Story: Frame your experience as a narrative – problem, your action, result – that demonstrates your problem-solving and strategic thinking capabilities.

• Be Prepared for Deep Dives: Anticipate detailed questions about your analysis, assumptions, and decision-making process.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides specific, practical advice for preparing for interviews for this role. The example questions are designed to probe the core competencies required for a Senior Product Strategy Specialist, focusing on analytical rigor, strategic thinking, communication, and understanding of the defense sector. The portfolio presentation strategy emphasizes clarity, impact, and a narrative approach.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided job portal link on the HII careers website.

• Tailor Your Resume: Highlight experience in investment analysis, financial modeling, business case development, market sizing, product strategy, and DoD acquisition processes. Use keywords from the job description.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate 2-3 key projects that demonstrate your ability to perform rigorous analysis, develop strategic recommendations, and communicate complex findings to senior stakeholders. Focus on quantifiable results and strategic impact.

• Research HII and Mission Technologies: Understand their strategic objectives, key technologies (C5ISR, AI/ML, unmanned systems), and the defense industry landscape. Familiarize yourself with their Leadership Capability Framework.

• Practice Case Study Scenarios: Prepare to articulate your approach to analyzing a product opportunity, building a financial model, or recommending portfolio actions under time constraints.

• Develop Questions: Prepare insightful questions for the interviewers about the team's roadmap, key strategic challenges, and opportunities for growth within the function.

⚠️ 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.