Director Product Management

Description
Summary of This Role
The role (based in Cologne and/or Frankfurt am Main - Germany) is part of the Senior Leadership Team reporting into the Board of Directors Germany and responsible for translating the business strategy of GP PAI into an actionable country specific product strategy with a strong focus on the German market requirements, taking into account GP's overall product capabilities. Additionally the role focuses on embedding the German PM team into the global product development structure of GP. As such the role is a key contributor to the financial success of GP PAI by deriving a Go-to-Market strategy for existing and upcoming products as well as to manage the product lifecycle with all relevant stakeholders.

What Part Will You Play?

• Provides leadership and vision to Product Managers across all stages of the product life-cycle, to include innovation and ideation, conceptual analysis, planning, product development and deployment, sales , marketing, product and client support, product sustainment and enhancement, product retirement.
• Leads, establishes and promotes strategic focus and provides high level or in-depth direction of the work, decisions and processes. Sets the staff, product and business strategy across all stages of the product life-cycle. Provides a strong industry and market focus to ensure the company remains current, relevant and leading.
• Identifies key business opportunities, supports the refinement of strategies, and highlights new technologies, partnerships, and start-ups that result in the development and delivery of new products and services. Increases the company's ability to improve current solutions and provide innovative new solutions in a timely manner to drive the success of our clients and their customers. Conducts complex analysis of data, requests, and facts. Solves complex problems through recommendations, which typically deviate from established procedures. Uses individual judgment to make and approve recommendations for actions or changes to established methods. Requires the ability to adapt and establish methods to new situations as business needs change. Requires the ability to anticipate these changes and act accordingly.
• Requests and reviews regular reporting for provisioning to management on product or project status, work requests, process improvements. Establishes the vision and objective of client and strategic product meetings. Presents internal and external initiatives to large groups and/or Executive Management. Communicates with clients to gain consensus and/or compromise on problems involving confidential and sensitive information.
• Directs the team in managing third party supplier relationships with companies that assist in delivering products to clients, to include leading and managing partner management staff, developing and maintaining relationships with supplier executives, negotiating supplier contracts, leading and managing vendor management controls, and optimizing business opportunities with third party supplier partners
• Participates in setting the strategy for and consulting on product pricing, client billing for services and on-going products or features. Presents recommendations to the Product Advisory Committee, the European Product Advisory Committee, the Pricing Committee, Investment Decision Council or other approving bodies. Oversees, creates and promotes strategic direction and focus and provides high level or in-depth direction of the work, decisions and processes necessary to meet corporate and/or segment objectives.
• Analyses, tracks and reports on multiple product profit and loss statements. Plans overall annual budget for multiple product cost center(s) to include employment expense, development, operational and global technology costs, product marketing, research and consulting costs, industry and client travel, and tools and resources needed to maintain high level of client service.
• Leads the management of multiple products, associated tasks and problems. Oversees defined methods and monitors financial/effectiveness measures to quantify contribution to the company's income and expenditure. Establishes communication to ensure projects, research, business cases, reporting, and contracts are completed on schedule and with quality. Monitors overall resource allocation. Sets direction and strategy for capacity and is held accountable.

What Are We Looking For in This Role?
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Relevant Experience or Degree in: related field of study from an accredited university is required; however, relevant experience in lieu of a degree may be considered.
• Typically a minimum of 10 years in related professional experience including a minimum of 5-6 years experience in a managerial position.

Your Profile
The successful candidate must demonstrate high energy, commitment and drive. A true team orientation is a must.

Core Competencies
Strategic Vision & Planning

• Ability to develop and execute long-term product strategies
• Understanding of market trends and competitive landscape
• Capacity to balance short-term objectives with long-term vision

Leadership & Team Management

• Experience leading cross-functional teams
• Strong mentoring and coaching abilities
• Ability to foster innovation and creativity
• Building high-performing product teams

Technical Acumen

• Understanding of payment processing technologies
• Knowledge of credit card acquiring systems
• Familiarity with industry compliance requirements
• Ability to translate technical possibilities into business opportunities

Essential Knowledge Areas
Industry Expertise

• Deep understanding of credit card acquiring industry
• Knowledge of payment processing regulations
• Familiarity with merchant services ecosystem
• Understanding of competitor landscape

Product Development

• Comprehensive knowledge of product development methodologies
• Understanding of product lifecycle management
• Experience with go-to-market strategies
• Knowledge of market research techniques

Business Operations

• Understanding of business metrics and analytics
• Knowledge of financial planning and budgeting
• Experience with operational efficiency improvement
• Understanding of stakeholder management

Key Skills
Strategic Planning

• Roadmap development and execution
• Market opportunity identification
• Competitive analysis
• Resource allocation planning

Communication & Collaboration

• Stakeholder management
• Cross-functional team leadership
• Clear communication of vision and strategy
• Conflict resolution and negotiation

Data Analysis & Decision Making

• Data-driven decision-making capabilities
• Market trend analysis
• Performance metrics interpretation
• Risk assessment and mitigation

Required Abilities
Leadership Capabilities

• Team motivation and engagement
• Strategic direction setting
• Change management
• Talent development and retention

Business Acumen

• Market opportunity identification
• Revenue growth strategies
• Cost optimization
• Resource allocation effectiveness

Product Innovation

• New product ideation
• Feature prioritization
• User experience enhancement
• Technology integration assessment

Expected Behaviors
Results-Oriented

• Focus on measurable outcomes
• Data-driven decision-making
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Performance metric tracking

Collaborative

• Cross-functional partnership development
• Stakeholder engagement
• Team empowerment
• Open communication practices

Adaptive

• Embracing change and innovation
• Quick response to market shifts
• Continuous learning orientation
• Flexibility in strategic planning

What We Offer You

• Lots of scope for your ideas and initiatives International, dynamic environment
• Steep learning curve and independent work
• Flexible working time model & 30 vacation days per year
• Permanent position with fair remuneration
• Modern offices in a central location in Cologne or Frankfurt
• Mobile working (2 days remote / week)
• Free drinks, fresh fruit & regular team events
• Collegial working atmosphere at eye level