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Product Manager job description
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This page details everything you need to know about the Product Manager role. From the core responsibilities through to how to approach product recruitment.
For more advice, get in touch with our expert recruiters for a no-strings-attached chat.
What does an Product Manager do?
A Product Manager is responsible for the development, refinement and success of a product. Their main aim is to ensure that their product delivers value to the customer. As a result, this role is data-driven, analysing customer feedback to ensure the product meets demand.
Key responsibilities
While the responsibilities of the role will vary, the main duties of a Product Manager include:
- Take ownership of a product: Develop a complete understanding of the value proposition of the product. Work closely with research teams to understand its positioning in the market and how it solves customer problems.
- Team management: Oversee a cross-functional team to deliver on the product vision.
- Data analysis: Work with the data and analytics team to review the customer journey. Using their research, the Product Manager will identify customer challenges and pain points.
- Define the product roadmap: Define the product and technical roadmap for the squad, ensuring requirements are clearly communicated to stakeholders. The Manager will prioritise work that delivers value to each sprint.
- Product design: Create technical designs and specifications for products within the portfolio, working with designers and engineers to make changes.
- Align the development process: Create a clear product development plan that aligns with external and internal milestones.
- Manage relationships: Actively manage relationships with suppliers and third-parties.
- Monitor market trends: Consistently research the latest trends to ensure innovation. Regularly evaluate the product market to stay on top of the competition.
- Report on success: Monitor the performance and scalability of products against KPIs. Make sure to triage and resolve issues in a timely manner.
Skills and requirements
The average Product Manager should have the following skills and requirements:
- 3-5 years of experience in a Junior Product Owner/Manager role
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a natural collaborator
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to process large amounts of data
- Ability to lead & inspire colleagues to deliver high-quality outputs
- Strong project management, organisational and time-keeping skills
- Natural innovator with a curious mindset
- Commercially-minded, with a focus on improving key metrics and delivering impact
- Proven experience delivering growth in a similar industry or product
Average salary expectations
Product management salaries fluctuate based on business size, sector and team structure. However, the average full-time, permanent wage in London is £70,000 - £90,000. For contractors, the average day rate is between £350 - £450.
To learn more, download our latest product salary guide.
Career path and opportunities
Lead Product Manager
With enough experience in product, candidates can move onto Senior Product Manager jobs. In this role, they will continue to play a key role in creating products, but also take on more leadership responsibility within product teams. This is a great opportunity to build management and leadership skills.
Head of Product
Eventually, Managers can work their way up to the Head of Product role. Reporting directly to the Chief Product Officer (CPO), the Head of plays a critical role in the implementation of the product strategy. This leadership role is responsible for ensuring the strategy is on track and aligned with company objectives.
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FAQs
How to become a Product Manager?
The first step in a product management career is the Junior Product Manager or Associate Product Manager job titles. With a lack of traditional education routes, the job title can seem aloof. However, a wealth of tools and resources are available to build your knowledge of the space.
Already on your career journey? We've put together a quick guide on how you can transition into a PM role.
Is product management a good career?
With more and more businesses investing in product-led growth, product teams are now a crucial part of many growing organisations. While product is still a young career path, the future is looking bright for product management.
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