Product Director

Manulife•Boston, MA

1d•Remote

About The Position

This Product Director role focuses on US Retirement with Client Alignment initiatives. The director will lead cross-functional efforts to ensure a seamless external experience throughout product transitions and launches. This involves close partnership with internal teams to develop and execute communication plans for sponsors, advisors, TPAs, and participants. The role requires collaboration with key stakeholders to confirm priorities and approach, aligning relationship managers and client service managers on external experience expectations, and coordinating with training to prepare for client product conversations. The director will engage Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to provide clear guidance and talking points, offer guidance on required client alignment activities (including obtaining advisor/client approvals), and escalate issues for timely resolution. This position is responsible for tracking and reporting readiness for all client alignment items and driving continuous improvement through proactive feedback collection. The Product Director will coordinate client-centric initiatives, ensuring end-to-end governance and accountability. Success in this role demands strong stakeholder management, communication, and program execution skills, with the ability to translate complex requirements into clear actions, maintain rigorous operational discipline, and deliver a consistent, client-centered experience.

Requirements

7-10 years, preferably in product management, product strategy or project management roles.
Deep understanding of the retirement plan industry, including regulatory requirements, plan design, and investment options.
Demonstrated ability to drive progress on key initiatives while coordinating and aligning critical dependencies.
Strong skills in leadership and problem-solving.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals from different functional areas and varying levels of experience.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, presenting sophisticated proposals, issues, and arguments to key partners and senior leaders.
Strong understanding of Agile methodologies and the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe).
Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional teams and managing the product development lifecycle from concept to launch.
Ability to think strategically and drive innovation in a fast-paced environment; strong decision-making skills, translating insights into actionable plans.
Proven track record of successfully managing and mentoring a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

Outstanding product management skills, demonstrated ability to deliver products involving complex stakeholders.
Critical thinking skills with initiative, comfortable with ambiguity and adept at designing a plan of action.
Excellent communication, ability to influence and negotiate effectively with peers and higher levels of management, both verbally and in writing.
Ongoing product support, project management, intake request management, backlog prioritization, and provide ad hoc support for client and distribution needs.
Drive development and prioritization, Focus on key deliverables and ensure their successful execution.
Act as an intermediary between investment professionals, distribution channel partners, marketing, operations, and technology teams.
Contribute to the product strategy and vision for retirement solutions, aligning with the company’s strategic objectives.
Lead, mentor, and support teams to ensure effective execution of the product roadmap, fostering professional growth and development.
Work with senior management, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to prioritize initiatives and make informed product decisions.
Work with an agile development environment (SAFe preferred) within the Product Management team, ensuring alignment with Agile principles and practices.
Monitor market trends, customer feedback, and competitive landscape to inform product strategy and innovation.
Ensure that product development efforts deliver value to customers and meet business objectives, while maintaining a focus on quality and compliance.
Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring alignment and support for product initiatives.
Collaborate with sales, marketing, operations, and legal teams to delivery products, drive adoption, enhance user experience, and optimize performance.
Plan and implement products to improve the business’s overall capabilities for serving all customers, including sponsors, advisors, TPAs, and participants.