roles
Chief Product Officer (CPO)
Primary Role:
Executive accountable for product vision, growth, and long-term differentiation
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO; board-facing
Decision Making Authority:
Enterprise-level product authority
Stratigic Planning
Defines company-wide product vision
Team Management:
Leads full product leadership org
Meeting Involvment:
Executive + board leadership
Project Management:
Portfolio and M&A input
Communication:
External thought leadership; investor comms
Professional Development:
→ CEO
Lead Product Manager
Primary Role:
Leads a product area and coordinates other PMs without formal people management
Reporting Relations:
Reports to Director
Decision Making Authority:
Final call on roadmap within area
Stratigic Planning
Drives planning within product area
Team Management:
May coordinate 1–2 PMs (informal)
Meeting Involvment:
Facilitates roadmap reviews
Project Management:
Manages multi-stream launches
Communication:
Primary cross-functional voice
Professional Development:
→ GPM / Director
Startup Chief of Staff
Primary Role:
Strategic partner and advisor, aligning and executing organizational goals
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO, with a broader reporting structure
Decision Making Authority:
Significant, delegated authority for executive decisions
Stratigic Planning
Active in development and execution of strategic plans
Team Management:
Manages cross-functional teams and projects
Meeting Involvment:
Actively participating, presenting, and driving decisions
Project Management:
Oversees large, complex projects impacting the organization
Communication:
Represents the executive internally and externally
Professional Development:
Broadens strategic leadership and management skills