Remote Head of Innovation and Product Development

Placements24; Stellenbosch; Hybrid; ZAR 2,490,000 - 4,647,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses & equity

Fully remote

Executive health benefits

Retirement plan matching

Innovation budget

Flexible hours

Global collaboration

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a visionary Head of Innovation and Product Development to lead the strategy and execution of transformative product initiatives. This fully remote role requires steering cross-functional teams to identify opportunities, validate ideas, and drive market-ready solutions.

You will shape the product portfolio, build a strong innovation culture, and align development with business goals, enabling scalable growth and competitive differentiation across markets.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Product Management or related field; PhD is a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in product management and innovation, with a leadership track record.
• Proven history of launching innovative products and driving market adoption.
• Strong understanding of market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder management abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive innovation and product development strategy aligned with the company's long-term vision.
• Identify market opportunities, technologies, and customer needs to drive product innovation.
• Lead end-to-end product development from concept through prototyping, testing and launch.
• Foster a culture of innovation within product development teams.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, marketing and sales to ensure product integration and market acceptance.
• Manage the product roadmap and prioritize initiatives based on market potential and resources.
• Present product strategies, roadmaps and performance updates to executive leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Product management

Strategic thinking

Market analysis

Agile methodologies

Stakeholder management

Remote leadership

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree or higher

Job description

About the Role

Our client is embarking on an exciting journey to revolutionize its product offerings and is seeking an visionary Head of Innovation and Product Development to lead this charge. This is a fully remote position, allowing you to leverage your expertise from anywhere while shaping the future of our client's product portfolio. The role demands a forward-thinking leader who can identify emerging market trends, conceptualize groundbreaking product ideas, and guide their development from ideation through to successful market launch. You will be instrumental in fostering a culture of creativity and innovation, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that our client remains at the cutting edge of its industry. This is a unique opportunity to drive strategic product direction and make a substantial impact on the company's growth and competitive positioning. If you are passionate about innovation and product strategy, this remote role offers unparalleled scope for impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive innovation and product development strategy aligned with the company's long-term vision.
• Identify and evaluate new market opportunities, technologies, and customer needs to drive product innovation.
• Lead the end-to-end product development lifecycle, from concept generation and feasibility studies to prototyping, testing, and launch.
• Foster a culture of innovation and creativity within the product development teams.
• Collaborate closely with R&D, engineering, marketing, and sales teams to ensure successful product integration and market acceptance.
• Manage the product roadmap, prioritizing initiatives based on market potential, strategic fit, and resource availability.
• Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and user feedback analysis to inform product strategy.
• Oversee the product management team, providing guidance, mentorship, and performance management.
• Ensure products meet quality, regulatory, and customer satisfaction standards.
• Present product strategies, roadmaps, and performance updates to executive leadership.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Business, Engineering, Product Management, or a related field. PhD is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in product management and innovation, with a significant portion in a leadership capacity.
• Proven track record of successfully launching innovative products and driving market adoption.
• Deep understanding of market trends, competitive landscapes, and emerging technologies.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities, with experience managing diverse, remote teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with agile product development methodologies.
• A passion for technology and a proven ability to translate ideas into tangible products.
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively and drive transformative change.

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary package including significant bonuses and equity options.
• Fully remote work arrangement offering exceptional flexibility.
• Comprehensive executive health benefits package.
• Generous retirement plan with employer matching.
• Significant budget for innovation initiatives and professional development.
• Opportunity to lead and shape the future of product innovation for a growing company.
• Flexible working hours to accommodate global collaboration.
• Be part of a forward-thinking and dynamic leadership team based anywhere.