VP Product (defense)

Role Summary:

The VP of Product serves as “the voice of the mission and the user” at the executive level. The role ensures that the unit develops the right solutions with the highest operational value, addressing the most critical problems faced by end-users.

They lead the product vision, strategy, and methodology across the entire unit.

The VP of Product directly leads the department’s various squads and manages the Product Management Guild, ensuring a consistent focus on delivering customer value across the department.

Key Responsibilities:

Leading the Product Guild:

Identification, recruitment, onboarding, professional management, mentoring, and training of all product managers in the unit.

Squad Management:

Direct management of squad Product Owners, Product Vision & Strategy.

Product Methodology:

Defining product management processes—from discovery to writing specifications (PRDs), backlog management, feedback collection, and implementation.

Stakeholder Management:

Working directly with senior personnel in operational units, defense industries, and various branches. Driving investment in innovation, guiding development and implementation of capabilities, and co-defining strategic needs.

Translating Needs into Value:

Converting raw operational needs into clear, measurable, and impactful AI-based products.

User-Centric Culture:

Instilling a user-focused, metric-driven product culture across the unit.

Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Information Systems Engineering, Industrial Engineering & Management, Computer Science, or Social Sciences).

Preferred:

Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field.

Experience:

Minimum 8 years of experience in product management, with at least 3 years leading product managers.

Significant experience managing complex AI products (at least 3 years).

At least 3 years of hands-on experience in algorithm or software development.

Proven track record of end-to-end product ownership—from ideation through launch, adoption, and iteration.

Experience working directly with enterprise clients or complex users, translating needs into technical specifications.

Strong Advantage:

Previous experience in the defense ecosystem (security agencies or defense industries).

Skills & Competencies:

Deep understanding and practical experience in agile product methodologies and innovation-driven, measurable frameworks.

rp product sense and the ability to identify opportunities.

Strategic thinking and long-term planning capabilities.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Deep user empathy and the ability to “step into the user’s shoes.”

Leadership and charisma, with the ability to lead and influence without direct authority.