Director, Product

About Us:

ProShares has been at the forefront of the ETF revolution since 2006. ProShares now offers one of the largest lineups of ETFs, with over $75 billion in assets. The company is a leader in strategies such as crypto-linked, dividend growth, interest rate hedged bond and geared (leveraged and inverse) ETF investing. ProShares continues to innovate with products that provide strategic and tactical opportunities for investors to manage risk and enhance returns. 

Position Summary:

The Director, Product will be responsible for the stewardship of the strategic product range throughout the lifecycle - from new launch through maturity. This individual will have a deep understanding of the ETF market and competitors, and serve as a senior subject matter expert on ProShares Strategic ETFs. The role will successfully identify, recommend and execute initiatives that enhance the attractiveness of investment offerings with a wide array of target clients.

This is a high impact and visible role that will have a meaningful impact on the firm’s product strategy and meeting company goals and growth ambitions. The role will report directly to the Managing Director and Head of the Strategic ETF business.

Essential Job Functions [1]:

• New Product Launches: Articulate the value proposition for a new product during its incubation working in partnership with the Product Development team and drive coordination of launch activities. Manage the product pipeline through the firm’s product development process and build the business case by analyzing market trends, distribution opportunities and sales potential, and gain approval from key stakeholders including senior management and internal partners.
• Product Enhancements: Create regular processes for monitoring product performance and execute on all product enhancements, such as index changes, pricing strategy, commercial positioning and other changes that impact product quality.
• Index Provider Relationships: maintain the day-to-day relationships with key index partners and proactively work with coverage to cultivate new ideas and manage existing suite. This includes responsibility for managing licensing agreements and ensuring arrangements are current and at current market rates.
• Product Positioning: responsible for positioning each new and existing product, including product features, client benefits, investment merit and competitive differentiation for target clients. Partner with Marketing to deliver on any new and existing content and collateral
• Client Engagement: support technical conversations with key clients and/or sophisticated prospects and serve as senior subject matter expert on all products
• Research and Analytics: Create an integrated view of product and competitive opportunities, based on analyses of fund flows and performance, client feedback, competitive intelligence, investment trends and industry developments. Stay abreast of competitive product information specific to both competitors and sponsor programs. Identify significant product launch, development or repositioning initiatives and present actionable business plan opportunities in response. Develop recommendations on product gaps, marketing themes and competitive campaigns.
• Product Rationalization: Monitor and recommend rationalizations as needed. Continually evaluate the relevance of the existing product set, considering repositioning and enhancement opportunities or closure to reallocate investment capital and resources. Execute on process for rationalization in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

Education and Experience:

• 12+ years of relevant work experience in the investment management industry, with experience in product development and/or product management.
• Strong ability to drive process, recommend and execute within a product line.
• Experience with exchange traded funds and mutual funds.
• Deep investment acumen, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the following areas; liquid alternatives, equities or fixed income
• Outstanding project management skills and strong process orientation.
• The ability to influence and gain consensus when all the resources necessary for a successful outcome are not directly under the individual’s control.
• A proven track record of commercial success, including the ability to bring a business mindset to complex issues around opportunity cost tradeoffs and an understanding of product profitability in competitive resource allocation environments (both external with competitors, and internal within a multi-line business).
• Possess a blend of quantitative and interpersonal skills, with a proven ability to effectively communicate (both orally and written) to senior management and experienced investment professionals.
• Outstanding academic background represented by an advanced degree in finance or business, such as an MBA from a leading business school, or a professional designation such as a CFA.
• Self-starter and team-oriented, with a proven ability to manage projects across cross-functional teams under demanding deadlines.
• Results-oriented with attention to detail; excellent communication and presentation skills; strong analytical skills.
• Proficiency in multiple investment and database software packages (e.g. FactSet, eVestment Alliance, Zephyr, Callan PEP, Pertrac).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly in Excel and PowerPoint, including the ability to develop professional presentations and analysis.

The compensation for this position includes salary and incentive pay. The annual base salary range for this role is $180,000 to $250,000 (USD), which does not include discretionary bonus compensation. Total compensation may vary based on experience, role, location, department, and individual performance.