What Does a Product Manager Do?
A product manager is responsible for guiding the strategy, development, and lifecycle of a product from concept to launch. They define product vision and goals, conduct market research, and translate customer needs into actionable requirements. Product managers work closely with engineering, design, and marketing teams to prioritize features, manage product roadmaps, and ensure products align with both user expectations and business objectives.
In addition to product strategy, a product manager acts as a key communicator and decision-maker across departments. They coordinate stakeholders, balance competing priorities, and ensure that products meet technical feasibility, market demands, and profitability targets. Their ability to combine strategic thinking, user empathy, and analytical skills makes them essential to a product’s success.
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Product Manager Core Responsibilities
- Define product vision, strategy, and roadmap based on market research
- Gather customer feedback and translate it into product requirements
- Collaborate with engineering, design, and marketing teams throughout product development
- Prioritize features and manage product backlogs to meet deadlines
- Conduct competitive analysis and identify opportunities for innovation
- Track product performance and measure success against KPIs
- Prepare business cases and reports for leadership and stakeholders
- Oversee product launches and post-launch optimizations
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Proficiency in product lifecycle management and roadmapping tools (e.g., Jira, Aha!, Trello)
- Strong data analysis and market research abilities
- Understanding of software development, UX principles, and business strategy
Soft skills
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority
- Adaptability in fast-paced, evolving environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, computer science, engineering, or related field required
Certifications
- Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO) recommended
- Pragmatic Institute Certification or similar product management training recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of experience in product management, business analysis, or related field
- MBA or advanced degree in business or technology preferred for senior roles
- Experience in Agile or Scrum environments
National Average Salary
Product manager salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Product Manager is:
$120,776
Sample Job Description Templates for Product Managers
Associate Product Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking an associate product manager to support the planning and execution of product initiatives. This entry-level role is designed for early-career professionals who want to develop foundational product management skills while assisting senior managers with research, analysis, and project coordination.
Responsibilities
- Assist with market research and competitive analysis to identify product opportunities
- Support the creation of product requirements and documentation
- Help maintain product roadmaps and backlogs under guidance of senior staff
- Collect customer feedback and analyze data for product improvements
- Collaborate with design, engineering, and marketing teams on small-scale initiatives
- Track product KPIs and prepare reports for managers
Requirements
Hard skills
- Basic knowledge of product lifecycle management and Agile methodologies
- Familiarity with roadmapping and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Trello, Confluence)
- Strong analytical and research skills
Soft skills
- Eagerness to learn and take direction from senior managers
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities
- Clear communication and collaboration skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, computer science, engineering, or related field required
Preferred Qualifications
- Internship or project experience in product management, marketing, or business analysis
Junior Product Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a junior product manager to assist with day-to-day product operations and feature development. This role requires some prior experience or training and the ability to manage small product initiatives under supervision.
Responsibilities
- Help define user stories and acceptance criteria for new features
- Collaborate with engineering and design teams to ensure timely product delivery
- Participate in backlog grooming, sprint planning, and release cycles
- Gather feedback from users and stakeholders to inform improvements
- Contribute to product documentation and reporting
- Monitor product metrics and share insights with the team
Requirements
Hard skills
- Working knowledge of Agile frameworks (Scrum, Kanban)
- Proficiency with product management and collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Aha!)
- Ability to analyze customer and usage data
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
- Good communication and teamwork abilities
- Ability to manage priorities in fast-paced environments
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field required
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of professional experience in product management, project coordination, or related roles
Mid-Level Product Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a mid-level product manager to lead product initiatives and manage the development of features from concept to launch. This role requires independence in managing roadmaps and the ability to balance customer needs with business goals.
Responsibilities
- Define product requirements and maintain product roadmaps
- Conduct market research and competitor analysis to inform strategy
- Collaborate with engineering, design, and marketing teams to deliver features
- Manage product backlogs and prioritize initiatives to meet deadlines
- Monitor product performance metrics and suggest improvements
- Communicate updates and product status to stakeholders and leadership
Requirements
Hard skills
- Strong knowledge of product lifecycle management and Agile practices
- Proficiency with product management tools (Jira, Aha!, Productboard)
- Ability to perform data analysis and translate insights into strategy
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Effective cross-functional collaboration
- Ability to balance strategic vision with tactical execution
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or related field required
Preferred Qualifications
- 3–5 years of product management experience
- Familiarity with user experience design principles
Senior Product Manager
Position Overview
We are hiring a senior product manager to drive strategy, oversee large-scale initiatives, and provide leadership across product development teams. This role requires advanced experience in product management, stakeholder collaboration, and delivering measurable business results.
Responsibilities
- Own product vision and strategy for assigned product lines
- Lead cross-functional teams through the entire product lifecycle
- Conduct in-depth market research and competitive analysis
- Prioritize features and manage roadmaps in alignment with business objectives
- Track KPIs and evaluate product success against performance metrics
- Mentor associate and junior product managers on best practices
- Collaborate with leadership to align product goals with company strategy
Requirements
Hard skills
- Expertise in product lifecycle management and Agile practices
- Strong ability to perform cost-benefit analysis and business case development
- Advanced proficiency with data analysis and product management tools
Soft skills
- Leadership and mentoring abilities
- Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills
- Excellent stakeholder communication and negotiation skills
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or computer science required; MBA preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 5–7 years of product management experience
- Proven track record of launching successful products or features
Lead Product Manager
Position Overview
We are seeking a lead product manager to oversee multiple product lines and provide high-level direction to product teams. This role combines strategic oversight with leadership responsibilities, ensuring alignment between company objectives and product initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership across multiple product areas
- Oversee development roadmaps and coordinate cross-functional teams
- Ensure product goals align with business priorities and customer needs
- Approve product requirements, specifications, and business cases
- Mentor senior and mid-level product managers
- Represent product management in executive meetings and strategic planning sessions
Requirements
Hard skills
- Mastery of product lifecycle management across multiple product areas
- Strong financial and strategic planning expertise
- Experience leading cross-functional teams and multi-product portfolios
Soft skills
- Strong leadership and team development skills
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
- Strategic vision combined with ability to deliver tactical results
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business or technology required; MBA or advanced degree recommended
Preferred Qualifications
- 8–10 years of product management experience with leadership roles
- Experience managing large-scale or enterprise-level product portfolios
Director of Product Management
Position Overview
We are hiring a director of product management to lead the product management function across the organization. This executive role requires strategic vision, leadership experience, and the ability to align product strategy with company growth initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Define and oversee company-wide product management strategy
- Manage senior product managers and ensure team development
- Collaborate with executives on long-term business and market strategy
- Oversee multi-product roadmaps and allocate resources across teams
- Ensure product initiatives meet financial targets and customer satisfaction goals
- Drive innovation, efficiency, and best practices across the product management department
- Represent the product function in board and investor meetings as required
Requirements
Hard skills
- Mastery of product management frameworks, Agile, and business strategy
- Strong knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, and P&L ownership
- Experience managing multi-disciplinary product teams
Soft skills
- Executive-level leadership and decision-making abilities
- Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management
- Strategic thinking and vision with ability to influence organizational direction
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, or computer science required; MBA strongly preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 12+ years of experience in product management with 5+ years in leadership roles
- Proven success leading large product teams and scaling product organizations