Product Operations Career Path - ProductOpsProfessional.org

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1		Product Operations Career Path
2	Job Family	Product Operations Management						Leadership
3	Job Level	L1	L2	L3	L4	L5	L6	L5 / M4	L6 / M5	L6-L7 / M6	L7-L8 / M7
4	Job Type	IC	IC	IC	IC	IC	IC	Mgr	Mgr	Mgr	Mgr
5	Job Title	Product Operations Associate	Product Operations Mgr	Sr Product Operations Mgr	Staff Product Operations Mgr	Principal Product Operations Mgr	Sr Principal Product Operations Mgr	Group Mgr/Head of Product Operations	Sr Group Mgr/Head of Product Operations	Director Product Operations	Sr Director/VP Product Operations
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7	Career Level	Novice	Developing	Maturing	Proficient	Expert	Established Expert / Thought Leader	Expert	Expert	Established Expert / Thought Leader	Thought Leader
8	Min. Experience in Role	• 3+ years in adjacent roles (Product/Project/BA/HR) • Contributed to multiple shipped features/products	• 4+ years in adjacent roles (Product/Project/BA/HR) • Contributed to multiple shipped features/products	• 5+ yrs • Significant contribution to a key product	• 6+ yrs • Significant contribution to a key product	• 7+ yrs • Significant contribution to multiple key products	• 8+ yrs • Significant contribution to multiple key products	• 7+ yrs • Significant contribution to multiple key products	• 8+ yrs • Significant contribution to multiple key products	• 10+ yrs • Lead on strategic product delivery/shipped products	• 10+ yrs • Track record of leading teams with significant impact on strategic product delivery/shipped products
9	Breadth of Knowledge	• Learning • Full understanding of area of specialization		• Have wide-ranging experience	• Fully Proficient	• Subject Matter Expert • Having broad expertise in one or more areas of specialization		• Subject Matter Expert • Having broad expertise in one or more areas of specialization		• Expert in the Field • Unique blend of deep and broad knowledge
10	Job Complexity	• Medium • Understands needs and uses judgment to determine methods to achieve goals • Solves problems of low complexity with occasional direction from senior members of the team	• Diverse • Understands needs and uses judgment to determine methods to achieve goals • Solves problems of medium complexity with occasional direction from senior members of the team	• Complex • Performs in-depth evaluation of variable factors in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining results • Solves highly complex problems with occasional direction from senior members of the team. Mentors junior members of the team.		• Significant / Unique • Exercises independent judgment • Contributes to development of company objectives and principles • Works cross-functionally to deliver complex solutions.		• Significant / Unique • Exercises independent judgment • Contributes to development of company objectives and principles • Works cross-functionally to deliver complex solutions.		• Critical / Leading Edge • Develop resolution and future concepts • Viewed as an expert across the organization for the entire Product Lifecycle and governance framework
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12	Autonomy & Execution	• Low • You are able to propose and execute with supervision. • You are given the problem and rough solution — then you figure out how to accomplish the solution.	• Moderate • You are able to propose and execute with supervision. • You are given the problem and rough solution — then you figure out how to accomplish the solution.	• Moderate to High • You are able to propose and execute with minimal supervision. • You are given a problem and you have the ability to figure out the solution and gain support from those you need to execute in the organization.	• High • Takes initiative to work across org to achieve product line goals • You are able to propose and execute with minimal supervision. • You are given a problem and you have the ability to figure out the solution and gain support from those you need to execute in the organization.	• High • You are given a space and it’s your job to figure out what the problems are. • Independently proposes goals to the department or functional leader and then scopes out deliverables or work for the team. • Guides others in balancing short and long-term solutions to help expand the business. • Informed participant in team-level decisions. • Advocates to departmental head for needed resources for team to achieve goals • Provides mentorship and guidance to junior team members.	• High • You are given a space and it’s your job to figure out what the problems are. • Takes direction for functional strategy from department leader. • Provides technical and career advancement mentorship within department. • Makes recommendations to manager on team performance, dynamics, terminations. • Provides mentorship and guidance to junior team members.	• High • You are given a space and it’s your job to figure out what the problems are. • You are responsible for the output of your direct reports. • Takes direction for functional strategy from department leader. • Provides technical and career advancement mentorship within department. • Sets team goals, develops work plans, and holds members accountable for achieving results. • Makes recommendations to manager on team performance, dynamics, terminations. • Manager of individual contributors work and performance (at least one direct report). • Provides mentorship and guidance to junior team members. • May also be responsible for hiring. • Provide guidance and delegation to team to achieve functional objectives. • Owns team level OKRs and may own department level OKRs when relevant.		• Very High • You are given a space and it’s your job to figure out what the problems are. • You are responsible for the output and vision of your team or function. • Is looked to by other functions as providing the "COO" leadership for the product area • Manager of managers. • Responsible for hiring and performance management of full functional area. • Highly influential in identifying and solving cross-team challenges; demonstrates deep understanding of the motivations of other teams and can shape these into collective goals. • Uses company level OKRs to prioritize and inform initiatives and impact of team. • Collaborates with leaders to determine longer term OKRs and Goals for the department	• Very High • You are given a space and it’s your job to figure out what the problems are. • You are responsible for the output and vision of your team or function. • Is looked to by other functions as providing the "COO" leadership for the product area • Is seen as valuable contributor to problems spanning the organization (not just in wheelhouse). • Contributes to long-term cross-functional solutions and opportunities. • Key decision maker for departmental hiring • Responsible for organizational Planning and budget for department or multiple functional groups.
13	Sphere of Influence	• Moderate (ie. to several projects in conjunction with functional areas of the business). • Individual Contributor but willingly provides guidance to teammates on best practices. • Can be coached to produce good product presentation content for the intended audience.	• Moderate (ie. to several projects in conjunction with functional areas of the business). • Individual Contributor but willingly provides guidance to teammates on best practices. • Can be coached to produce good product presentation content for the intended audience. • You set an example for your more junior peers and provide guidance to them.	• Broad (ie. to multiple key/strategic projects at the company level that impact and require multiple cross-functional teams across the company). • Individual contributor but you provide guidance to others due to significant expertise and experience. • You help drive peers toward achieving project goals. • You contribute to team planning. • Trusted to correctly represent product, obtain relevant feedback accurately, and direct it appropriately. • Consistently produces and delivers great presentation content for the intended audience		• Broad (ie. to multiple key/strategic projects at the company level that impact and require multiple cross-functional teams across the company). • You are a leader and a contributor but you provide guidance to others due to significant expertise and experience. • You are an individual contributor and oversee the activities of less experienced team members. • You set the example for the team. • You provide guidance to those who look to you as an example. • Can reliably influence an audience even without prepared content		• Broad (ie. to multiple key/strategic projects at the company level that impact and require multiple cross-functional teams across the company). • You are a leader and a contributor. • You oversee the activities of your direct reports and/or less experienced team members. • You set the example for your team. • You provide guidance to those who look to you as an example and it is your responsibility to help them grow. • Can reliably influence an audience even without prepared content		• Expansive. • You are a leader and a contributor. • You set the example for your team. • You provide guidance to your direct reports and it is your responsibility to help them grow. • You oversee the activities of a team or function. • Acts as a multiplier. Likely to manage (or mentor) other managers, and spends large amount of time coaching managers on goal-setting, workplanning, team dynamics, etc. • Has strong network of peers within the organization. • Owns department level OKRs and may contribute to company level OKRs.	• Expansive. • You are a leader and a contributor. • You set the example for your team. • You provide guidance to your direct reports and it is your responsibility to help them grow. • You oversee the activities of a team or function. • Bridges the gap between departmental operations and company vision/growth strategies • Owns departmental OKRs and may own Company level OKRs when relevant
14	Collaboration	• Promotes teamwork to accomplish common goals • Accepts constructive feedback and translates into action • Proactively reaches out to others to understand constraints and works across teams to identify recommendations • Proactively engage key stakeholders on important issues	• Promotes teamwork to accomplish common goals • Accepts constructive feedback and translates into action • Proactively reaches out to others to understand constraints and works across teams to identify recommendations • Proactively engage key stakeholders on important issues • You can lead within your team, offer direction and facilitate collaboration to arrive at a decision • Demonstrates some leadership abilities on projects. Learns from team leaders and applies concepts to own work	• Proactively factilitates teamwork to accomplish common goals • Generally seeks and asks feedback for improvement • You consistently take the initiative to identify and share the most pertinent information to the team and often other teams • You can lead within your team, offer direction and facilitate collaboration to arrive at a decision • Takes initiative and helps drive peers toward achieving project goals. Starts providing guidance to others due to growing expertise and experience		• Collaborates extensively cross-functionally across the organization • Proactively seeks and asks feedback for improvement and expected to provide feedback to other team members • Acts as a voice of reason during debates keeping dialog additive. Listens intently and guides groups towards consensus understanding that one solution isn't always the best solution. Lines up behind decisions when made and supports them while clearly communicating results and/or progress • You are mastering negotiation of business priorities among team members. • You can evaluate conflicting priorities to determine the highest value path for the business and customers. • Demonstrates influence within their area of expertise		• Collaborates extensively cross-functionally across the organization • Proactively seeks and asks feedback for improvement and expected to provide feedback to other team members • Acts as a voice of reason during debates keeping dialog additive. Listens intently and guides groups towards consensus understanding that one solution isn't always the best solution. Lines up behind decisions when made and supports them while clearly communicating results and/or progress • You are mastering negotiation of business priorities among team members. • You can evaluate conflicting priorities to determine the highest value path for the business and customers. • Demonstrates influence within their area of expertise		• Champions a spirit of cooperation, teamwork, resource sharing and mutual respect • Ensures buy-in and strong collaboration amongst all leaders in driving execution of the Product strategy and roadmap • You actively work to improve the relationship between your team/fuctions and others. • Opinion sought • Influences decisions on products, solutions objectives and technology
15	Communication & Stakeholder Management	• Presents work and ideas in a clear and concise way • You can provide thorough updates when prompted. • You can outline plans and activities required for success of a goal • You are learning how to communicate cross-functionally and maintain alignment within your team. • Effectively communicates status, impacts and delivery expectations.		• Proactive in your communication and execution • You are adept at communicating cross-functionally and with peers in a way that effectively drives decision-making • You lead group discussion and contribute to team consistently in meetings. • Articulates challenges and constructively raises them with management with identified options to resolve		• You have mastered cross-department communication while maintaining alignement within your team. • Identifies possible issues early and keeps relevant team members in the loop with key decisions and changes • Adept at identifying and resolving potential cross-team confusion or conflicts		• You have mastered cross-department communication while maintaining alignement within your team. • Identifies possible issues early and keeps relevant team members in the loop with key decisions and changes • Adept at identifying and resolving potential cross-team confusion or conflicts		• You can lead discussions at levels above your level in the organization effectively. • You can run meetings with diverse cross-functional stakeholders throughout the business effectively.
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17	Technical Knowledge (Process)	• You have basic knowledge of Operational Delivery processes and governance. • You are familiar with delivery methodologies such as agile, waterfall, lean, kanban, and scrum • Creates and refines processes to get the right outcomes faster (and enable quick course correction) • Advocating for best practices in process and tools • Plan and execute Product planning processes, working with partners across the organization to capture priorities from the entire business		• You are proficient in leading others through Operational Delivery processes and governance. • Thought leader for Operational Excellence for respective product and initiatives, including leading the designing of new operations and improving existing operations • You are familiar with delivery methodologies such as agile, waterfall, lean, kanban, and scrum • Creates and refines processes to get the right outcomes faster (and enable quick course correction) • Advocating for best practices in process and tools • Plan and execute Product planning processes, working with partners across the organization to capture priorities from the entire business		• You are an expert in leading others through Operational Delivery processes and governance. • Thought leader for Operational Excellence for respective product and initiatives, including leading the designing of new operations and improving existing operations • Developing, managing, and continuously improving processes for scale that help the organization meet its goals more efficiently and effectively • Plan and execute Product planning processes, working with partners across the organization to capture priorities from the entire business • You understand the nuances of delivering product to market, see risks that may be ambiguous on the horizon and develop plans to mitigate them. • You are adept at finding solutions that ensure continuous delivery of value to customers. • You can apply your understanding of Go-to-Market functions to think strategicaly about how best to manage expectations while also managing changes in delivery timelines from Engineering. • Active in related professional organizations to develop a view of best practices across the industry		• You are an expert in leading others through Operational Delivery processes and governance. • Thought leader for Operational Excellence for respective product and initiatives, including leading the designing of new operations and improving existing operations • Developing, managing, and continuously improving processes for scale that help the organization meet its goals more efficiently and effectively • Plan and execute Product planning processes, working with partners across the organization to capture priorities from the entire business • You understand the nuances of delivering product to market, see risks that may be ambiguous on the horizon and develop plans to mitigate them. • You are adept at finding solutions that ensure continuous delivery of value to customers. • You can apply your understanding of Go-to-Market functions to think strategicaly about how best to manage expectations while also managing changes in delivery timelines from Engineering. • Active in related professional organizations to develop a view of best practices across the industry		• You are an expert in leading others through Operational Delivery processes and governance. • You can teach your team to understand the nuances of delivering product to market, see risks that may be ambiguous on the horizon and develop plans to mitigate them. • You are adept at finding solutions that ensure continuous delivery of value to customers. • You can apply your understanding of Go-to-Market functions to think strategicaly about how best to manage expectations while also managing changes in delivery timelines from Engineering. • Active in related professional organizations to develop a view of best practices across the industry
18	Technical Knowledge (Tools)	• You have basic knowledge of tools of the trade, such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Aha • Advocating for best practices in process and tools		• You have Intermediate knowledge of tools of the trade, such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Aha • Advocating for best practices in process and tools		• You have Advanced knowledge of tools of the trade, such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Aha. • You have experience of a diverse set of tools to be able to recommend improvements, changes or new tools as needs arise.		• You have Advanced knowledge of tools of the trade, such as Jira, Confluence, Asana, Aha. • You have experience of a diverse set of tools to be able to recommend improvements, changes or new tools as needs arise.		• You have experience of a diverse set of tools to be able to understand wider needs of the business when you or your teams are reviewing or recommending new or improved tools. You are able to evaluate taking into account all departments needs or concerns and act for 'best for business'.
19	Technical Knowledge (Data)	• You can setup basic measurements for team operational performance		• You can share insights with teams to implement improvements that increase performance		• You have Advanced knowledge of data management and analysis. • You can share insights with teams to implement improvements that increase performance		• You have Advanced knowledge of data management and analysis. • You can share insights with teams to implement improvements that increase performance		• You have Advanced knowledge of data management and analysis. • You use insights to tell good stories about the product or business performance and understand the needs of the business related to data metrics
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