Associate Director, Technical Functional Product Lead

Horizontal Talent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent seeks an Associate Director, Technical Functional Product Lead in Houston to drive digital product strategy from concept through launch. You will partner with engineering, design, marketing, and analytics to deliver high-value solutions and align with business goals.

You'll use market insight, user research, and data to shape roadmaps, guide cross-functional teams, and promote a user-centered approach in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in product management, digital strategy, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and roadmap development.
• Experience with Agile and Lean methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Data-informed mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Solid understanding of customer experience, user research, and design thinking principles.
• Experience managing complex product initiatives in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Define and help execute product strategies aligned with business goals and market trends.
• Lead product initiatives across the full lifecycle, from ideation and prioritization through launch and optimization.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and business stakeholders to deliver high-value digital products.
• Use research, competitive analysis, and customer insights to inform product decisions and roadmap planning.
• Prioritize features and enhancements based on business value, customer needs, and delivery impact.
• Support go-to-market efforts and adoption planning to help ensure product success.
• Monitor product performance and use data-driven insights to guide continuous improvement.
• Promote a user-centered approach that supports clear, intuitive customer experiences.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while managing multiple priorities.

Skills

Experience in product management

Roadmap development

Agile & Lean

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

Cross-functional collaboration

User research & UX principles

Managing complex initiatives

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director, Technical Functional Product Lead to help define and deliver digital product strategies that support business growth and improved customer experiences. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams to guide product direction from concept through launch, using market insight, user needs, and data to shape impactful solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define and help execute product strategies aligned with business goals and market trends.
• Lead product initiatives across the full lifecycle, from ideation and prioritization through launch and optimization.
• Collaborate with engineering, design, and business stakeholders to deliver high-value digital products.
• Use research, competitive analysis, and customer insights to inform product decisions and roadmap planning.
• Prioritize features and enhancements based on business value, customer needs, and delivery impact.
• Support go-to-market efforts and adoption planning to help ensure product success.
• Monitor product performance and use data-driven insights to guide continuous improvement.
• Promote a user-centered approach that supports clear, intuitive customer experiences.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while managing multiple priorities.

Skills

• 10+ years of experience in product management, digital strategy, or a closely related field.
• Strong understanding of product lifecycle management and roadmap development.
• Experience working with Agile and Lean methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a data-informed mindset.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams.
• Solid understanding of customer experience, user research, and design thinking principles.
• Experience managing complex product initiatives in a dynamic environment.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with AI-driven product development or digital transformation initiatives.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, or IoT.
• Agile, Scrum, or product management certifications.
• Experience scaling digital products or leading enterprise-level initiatives.
• Ability to adapt quickly and contribute to an innovative, collaborative team culture.

Horizontal is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, respected, and encouraged. We believe equity and belonging strengthen our teams and help us deliver better outcomes for the people we serve.