roles
Principal Product Manager
Primary Role:
Most senior IC; defines product direction in critical business areas
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CPO
Decision Making Authority:
Sets direction for major product bets
Stratigic Planning
Co-defines annual strategy
Team Management:
No direct reports; informal leadership
Meeting Involvment:
Frequently presents to exec team
Project Management:
Oversees strategic initiatives
Communication:
Board/exec-level clarity
Professional Development:
→ Director / VP
Group Product Manager (GPM)
Primary Role:
Manages multiple PMs and owns a product portfolio
Reporting Relations:
Reports to Director/VP
Decision Making Authority:
Roadmap authority across portfolio
Stratigic Planning
Drives portfolio-level planning
Team Management:
Manages 2–5 PMs
Meeting Involvment:
Leadership team contributor
Project Management:
Oversees parallel product tracks
Communication:
Org-wide alignment
Professional Development:
→ Director of Product
Head of Product
Primary Role:
Top product leader (title varies by company size)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Final say on product direction
Stratigic Planning
Owns product strategy
Team Management:
Manages Directors/GPMs
Meeting Involvment:
Executive leadership team
Project Management:
Oversees entire portfolio
Communication:
Board-level communication
Professional Development:
→ CPO