roles
Principal Product Manager
Primary Role:
Most senior IC; defines product direction in critical business areas
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CPO
Decision Making Authority:
Sets direction for major product bets
Stratigic Planning
Co-defines annual strategy
Team Management:
No direct reports; informal leadership
Meeting Involvment:
Frequently presents to exec team
Project Management:
Oversees strategic initiatives
Communication:
Board/exec-level clarity
Professional Development:
→ Director / VP
Head of Product
Primary Role:
Top product leader (title varies by company size)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Final say on product direction
Stratigic Planning
Owns product strategy
Team Management:
Manages Directors/GPMs
Meeting Involvment:
Executive leadership team
Project Management:
Oversees entire portfolio
Communication:
Board-level communication
Professional Development:
→ CPO
Head of Product Management
Primary Role:
Leads PM discipline specifically (may partner with Design/Eng heads separately)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CPO/CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Hiring, standards, process authority
Stratigic Planning
Sets PM operating model
Team Management:
Manages PM org
Meeting Involvment:
Leadership team participant
Project Management:
Portfolio oversight
Communication:
Org-wide + recruiting brand
Professional Development:
→ VP / CPO