Associate Product Specialist, Product Management, Launch Program 2027 - United States

Mastercard; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Mastercard is launching a structured 18-month Launch Program for Associate Product Specialists in the United States, designed to build expertise in product management and go-to-market strategies.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship from industry leaders, and develop technical, analytical, and professional capabilities to accelerate your career at Mastercard.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in Bachelor’s or accelerated Master’s with anticipated graduation between Dec 2026 - Jun 2027.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Curiosity about AI and emerging technologies; ability to collaborate across teams.
• Foundational knowledge of AI, data, APIs, and modern technology platforms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver product solutions meeting customer and business needs.
• Analyze data, feedback, and market trends to identify opportunities and support decision-making.
• Apply problem-solving and critical thinking to address business challenges and improve user experiences.
• Use project management and organizational skills to support product planning, delivery, and execution.
• Build and communicate recommendations through presentations, reports, and stakeholder discussions.
• Leverage customer insights and performance metrics to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Explore emerging technologies, including AI and data-driven capabilities, to enhance products and business outcomes.
• Develop knowledge of digital products, technology, and the global payments ecosystem.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Adaptability

Organization

Multi-tasking

AI curiosity

Data basics

APIs

Education

Bachelor’s or accelerated Master’s degree

Job description

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title And Summary

Associate Product Specialist, Product Management, Launch Program 2027 - United States

Our Purpose

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Title And Summary

Associate Product Specialist, Product Management, Launch Program 2027 - United States

Why join Mastercard’s Launch Program?

Over the course of this 18-month program, you'll build specialized expertise through hands-on experience, structured learning, and mentorship from industry leaders. You'll work on real business challenges, applying your skills to projects that create meaningful impact.

Along the way, you'll deepen your knowledge of Mastercard's business, collaborate with teams across the organization, and develop the technical, analytical, and professional capabilities needed to accelerate your career. By the end of the program, you’ll have a strong foundation in your chosen field and the confidence to continue to grow here at Mastercard.

About The Team

In Product Management, you will have the chance to learn how to develop business cases for new product opportunities, develop scalable customer‑centric products, and see those projects through go‑to‑market. When joining one of our highly collaborative product teams, you will have the opportunity to build and manage great products. We are looking for passionate and talented professionals who share our vision for developing scalable customer‑centric products with agility and excellence.

What you’ll do

As An Associate Product Specialist, You May

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver product solutions that meet customer and business needs.
• Analyze data, customer feedback, and market trends to identify opportunities and support decision‑making.
• Apply problem‑solving and critical thinking skills to address business challenges and improve user experiences.
• Use project management and organizational skills to support product planning, delivery, and execution.
• Build and communicate recommendations through presentations, reports, and stakeholder discussions.
• Leverage customer insights and performance metrics to measure impact and drive continuous improvement.
• Explore emerging technologies, including AI and data‑driven capabilities, to enhance products and business outcomes.
• Develop knowledge of digital products, technology, and the global payments ecosystem.

Projects Other Associate Product Specialist Launchers Have Worked On

• Samantha developed a competitive analysis of a business intelligence product to understand market offerings and how Mastercard’s product compared. Her analysis helped the team identify which features to accelerate on their roadmap.
• William developed a model framework to define bundled pricing deals combining our Identity Solutions capabilities. His model was leveraged to launch a new pricing bundle with resellers and streamline the sales lifecycle for future deals.
• Maria worked with stakeholders and customers to understand the analytics needed for our application, then developed the roadmap for incorporating a 3rd‑party data analytics tool into the app experience.

What we’re looking for

Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or accelerated Master's degree with an anticipated graduation date between Dec 2026 -June 2027

• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates a high level of adaptability and flexibility in a fast‑paced environment, with a strong ability to collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented, with strong planning and time management skills to prioritize work and deliver results efficiently.
• Able to balance multiple priorities while maintaining a structured and proactive approach to achieving objectives.
• Curiosity about emerging technologies and understanding how AI can create customer and business value.
• Foundational knowledge of AI, data, APIs, and modern technology platforms.

This role is not eligible for Mastercard’s work authorization sponsorship. As such, candidates must be eligible to work in the United States, now as well as in the future, without employer sponsorship. For example, students or recent graduates in the United States on an F1 visa (including those with CPT or OPT authorization) are not eligible for this role.

Eligibility to work and local office language proficiencies statements

Base Salary

Arlington, Virginia: $95,000 USD

O’Fallon, Missouri: $83,000 USD

Mastercard is a merit‑based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.

Corporate Security Responsibility

• Abide by Mastercard’s security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard’s guidelines.

In line with Mastercard’s total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in the US, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive base salary and may be eligible for an annual bonus or commissions depending on the role. The base salary offered may vary depending on multiple factors, including but not limited to location, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. Mastercard benefits for full time (and certain part time) employees generally include: insurance (including medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, disability, life insurance); flexible spending account and health savings account; paid leaves (including 16 weeks of new parent leave and up to 20 days of bereavement leave); 80 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time, 25 days of vacation time and 5 personal days, pro‑rated based on date of hire; 10 annual paid U.S. observed holidays; 401k with a best-in-class company match; deferred compensation for eligible roles; fitness reimbursement or on‑site fitness facilities; eligibility for tuition reimbursement; and many more. Mastercard benefits for interns generally include: 56 hours of Paid Sick and Safe Time; jury duty leave; and on‑site fitness facilities in some locations.