Lead Product Manager, New York, (Contractor)

ION Group • New York, NY

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Lab49 is seeking an AI-first Product Leader to lead transformative projects for financial services clients. The role combines product strategy and delivery with client relationship development and identifying opportunities to grow engagements. The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams in an agile environment, deliver high-impact solutions, and balance product excellence with strategic business growth.

The position works closely with clients and UX partners to understand needs, translate complex financial concepts into actionable product specifications, and deliver user-centered solutions. It involves managing the product lifecycle from discovery through delivery, applying data-driven and hypothesis-led development, and leading the definition, launch, and scaling of AI-native products. Familiarity with the asset management industry and its investment workflows and technology platforms is preferred.

The role is based in New York and expects on-site presence with clients at least 3–4 days per week. Lab49 describes opportunities to work on cutting-edge financial services projects, collaborate with industry leaders, and build long-lasting client relationships while identifying new business opportunities and expanding service offerings.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of Product Management experience, including senior product roles leading complex initiatives.
• At least 5 years of experience in financial services, with a strong understanding of market trends, personas, workflows, and the asset management industry.
• Proven ability to manage the full product lifecycle from discovery through delivery in complex environments.
• Proven experience defining, launching, and scaling AI-native products, using AI as a primary approach to solving client and user problems.
• Demonstrated success with consultative selling approaches and building long-term client relationships.
• Strong technical foundation in financial systems architecture and data analytics.
• Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to influence stakeholders across organizational levels and align product direction with strategic goals.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.

Nice To Haves

• Product management certifications are preferred.
• Understanding of the asset management industry, including investment vehicles, portfolio management processes, investment workflows, and key technology platforms serving institutional investors, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute product strategy for complex financial services initiatives, aligning roadmaps and features with business objectives.
• Lead cross-functional teams through roadmap execution, communicate priorities clearly, and mobilize teams around shared outcomes.
• Build strategic client relationships to understand needs, gather feedback, and identify growth opportunities, including upselling and cross-selling.
• Translate complex financial concepts into actionable product specifications and user-centered solutions in collaboration with UX.
• Apply data-driven decision-making and hypothesis-led development to improve product success, delivery, and client satisfaction.
• Navigate complex client ecosystems, build long-term partnerships, and identify opportunities to expand engagements.
• Define, launch, and scale AI-native products, making informed trade-offs across model performance, explainability, cost, and adoption.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior