Product Chapter Lead

The Product Chapter Lead is a pivotal role responsible for fostering excellence, community, and growth within a specific group of Product Managers (the "Chapter") across various product teams. This individual acts as a servant leader, focusing on empowering and enabling their chapter members to maximize their potential, deliver exceptional product value, and align with the overall product vision and strategy. This role balances individual development, knowledge sharing, and the consistent application of best practices within the product management discipline.

Key Responsibilities:

• Servant Leadership & Empowerment:

  • Act as a servant leader, prioritizing the needs and growth of the Product Owners within the chapter.

  • Foster a culture of autonomy, trust, and continuous learning.

  • Empower Product Owners to make informed decisions and take ownership of their product areas.

  • Facilitate problem-solving and remove impediments that hinder the chapter members' effectiveness.

• Community Building & Collaboration:

  • Cultivate a strong sense of community and belonging within the Product Chapter.

  • Facilitate regular meetings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions to encourage collaboration and cross-pollination of ideas.

  • Create opportunities for Product Owners to connect, learn from each other's experiences, and build relationships.

  • Promote a culture of open communication and constructive feedback within the chapter.

• Skill Development & Mentorship:

  • Identify individual and collective skill gaps within the Product Chapter and develop strategies to address them (e.g., training, mentorship, peer learning).

  • Provide guidance, coaching, and mentorship to Product Owners at various levels of experience.

  • Support the career growth and development of chapter members through regular check-ins and development planning.

  • Facilitate the sharing of best practices, tools, and techniques within the product management discipline.

• Product Excellence & Consistency:

  • Champion and promote the adoption of consistent and effective product management practices across different product teams.

  • Collaborate with other Chapter Leads and Product Leadership to define and evolve product management standards and guidelines.

  • Ensure a shared understanding and application of the product vision, strategy, and principles within the chapter.

  • Facilitate discussions and alignment on key product decisions and approaches.

• Alignment & Communication with Product Leadership:

  • Act as a conduit between the Product Chapter and Product Leadership, ensuring clear communication of chapter needs, progress, and challenges.

  • Contribute to the development and execution of the overall product strategy.

  • Provide input and feedback to Product Leadership on organizational structure, processes, and initiatives that impact the product management function.

• Performance & Growth Enablement:

  • Support Product Owners in setting clear goals and measuring their impact.

  • Provide feedback and guidance on performance and areas for improvement.

  • Contribute to the performance review process for chapter members, providing valuable insights and context.

  • Advocate for the resources and support needed for the chapter members to succeed.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Proven experience (typically 5+ years) as a Product Manager, with increasing levels of responsibility and impact.

• Demonstrated experience in mentoring, coaching, or leading other Product Managers (formally or informally).

• Strong understanding of various product management methodologies, frameworks, and best practices.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.

• A genuine passion for developing and empowering others.

• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and foster collaboration.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Experience working in an Agile environment.

• A growth mindset and a commitment to continuous learning.

Personal Attributes:

• Empathetic and Supportive: Genuinely cares about the well-being and development of others.

• Excellent Listener: Actively seeks to understand the needs and perspectives of chapter members.

• Strong Communicator: Articulates ideas clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Facilitator: Skilled at guiding discussions and fostering collaboration.

• Patient and Encouraging: Provides ongoing support and guidance.

• Visionary: Understands the broader product strategy and can help align the chapter's efforts.

• Servant-Hearted: Prioritizes the needs of the team above their own.