roles
Product Lead
Primary Role:
De facto head of product in small org or startup
Reporting Relations:
Reports to CEO/Founder
Decision Making Authority:
Full product decision authority
Stratigic Planning
Owns company product vision
Team Management:
May manage 1–3 PMs/designers
Meeting Involvment:
Executive team participant
Project Management:
Owns all product initiatives
Communication:
Internal + external (customers/investors)
Professional Development:
→ Head of Product / VP
Head of Product Management
Primary Role:
Leads PM discipline specifically (may partner with Design/Eng heads separately)
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CPO/CEO
Decision Making Authority:
Hiring, standards, process authority
Stratigic Planning
Sets PM operating model
Team Management:
Manages PM org
Meeting Involvment:
Leadership team participant
Project Management:
Portfolio oversight
Communication:
Org-wide + recruiting brand
Professional Development:
→ VP / CPO
Product Strategy Lead
Primary Role:
Focuses on long-term product direction, market positioning, and growth bets
Reporting Relations:
Reports to VP/CPO
Decision Making Authority:
Influences major investment decisions
Stratigic Planning
Owns 1–3 year product strategy
Team Management:
None or small team
Meeting Involvment:
Executive strategy forums
Project Management:
Leads 0→1 initiatives
Communication:
Investor/board narrative input
Professional Development:
→ VP / CPO