Manager, Product Strategy - Engage Point

The Opportunity

This position creates the product vision, directs product journey, and has ultimate accountability for the performance and expansion of Velera’s consumer facing solutions for an assigned product group. The individual will provide direction to the staff responsible for defining and prioritizing the product backlog and streamline the execution of program priorities while maintaining conceptual and technical integrity of the features or components. They will ensure that related products Velera brings to market are focused on the highest value yield for Velera partners and clients.
This individual will serve as subject-matter expert and thought leader with a deep understanding of credit union and banking industries and consumer servicing. They will also develop and implement strategy and business plans and oversee commercialization and sales support efforts to drive profitability and penetration results.

Day in the Life

• Lead analysis of market problems for the product area using an outside-in approach; conduct feasibility studies using market data, market planning, testing, focus groups and other industry sources.
• Oversee creation of all area product positioning and ensure that it addresses the most pervasive and timely needs of the market.
• Create, direct, and implement strategic plans, marketing plans, and budget for the area; administer all plans to ensure alignment with company goals.
• Direct revenue and profitability forecasting by gathering and analyzing internal capabilities and capacity, market demand, and external competitive information.
• Work with key team members to define product roadmap, high level prioritization, and product value metrics. Lead stakeholder collaboration to make execution trade-off decisions (e.g., achievement of target architecture vs. business value vs. infrastructure complexity).
• Partner with Project Management, Information Technology, and Product Management on definition of target architecture for product and ensure alignment while executing product roadmap.
• Facilitate discussions with key executives (internal and external) to test ideas, identify issues, and gain commitment on recommendations.
• Develop, maintain and expand effective relationships with key partners including core providers, Fiserv, FIS, MasterCard, Visa, and other advisory groups or committees.
• Maintain current knowledge of the latest industry developments and integrate them into solution line appropriately.
• Understand and communicate market trends affecting solution offerings so that market opportunities may be maximized and the negative effects of competitive activity may be minimized.
• Use external consultants as partners when appropriate. Monitor the pricing, marketing, and quality of these services and service providers to ensure consistency with company goals.

• Provide direction and leadership to staff; guide, coach, mentor and develop staff ensuring compliance with processes and procedures
• Handle interviewing, hiring, promotions, transfers, performance appraisals, compensation, counseling and termination of staff
• Develop and maintain staff by applying the necessary training and leadership that will allow internal growth and advancement
• Direct staff, to ensure that all duties are performed according to department performance standards
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Seven (7) years of extensive product marketing experience within the financial services industry with respect to digital experience and member servicing solutions, market and industry trends, emerging trends in consumer servicing and experience and alternative solutions, and compliance/regulatory influences.
• Five (5) years developing business plans and budgets required.
• Three (3) years leadership and management experience, with demonstrated proficiencies in staff development and, coaching preferred. 

• Demonstrated experience in implementing, designing and supporting origination solutions along with expertise in loan underwriting processes and standards preferred.