VP of Innovation, IGN
Description
VP of Innovation, IGN
Reporting To: General Manager
The VP of Innovation will lead and grow our Engineering and Product teams and will be responsible for overseeing the team that conceives, designs, and facilitates the evolution of the IGN products and executing on them. This role will work with the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to create the vision for our products and will lead the strategy for bringing that vision to life. In partnership with the ELT, they will ensure that products are smoothly making their way from conception and prioritization, to the point of scheduling and execution. We have a small team environment but huge ambitions with lots of exciting projects in the pipeline!
The Innovation team will be sure to evolve the strategy for enhancing and expanding our product offerings in response to marketplace conditions, internal stakeholder needs, and existing and prospective customer requests. They will define product enhancements via research, design, and specification efforts, prioritizing initiatives and evangelizing product changes to other teams in the company, and ensuring effective rollout of new products and features into the market.
Responsibilities:
● Provide technical vision and direction to global software engineering teams.
● Build a strategy for growing IGN's technical ambitions
● Work with the product and engineering teams and business partners to define requirements, guide product and architectural vision, lead key technical and design discussions, and prioritize delivery efforts
● Drive the continuous improvement of the product management process, always seeking to eliminate activities that do not further the goal of identifying, defining, and shepherding valuable product innovations into customer hands.
● Mentor Product Managers in the ideation and specification of new products and existing product improvements.
● Build a dynamic, collaborative, and lively team environment
● Review, select, and integrate next-generation technologies into the architectural strategy as needed
● As a member of IGN's senior leadership team, participate in discussions regarding company strategy and high-level people discussions, providing a technical perspective on issues.
● Recruit, retain, and develop a high-functioning team of product management and engineers, including looking into the most cost-effective locations for talent, as well as the use of contractors.
● Stay abreast of industry trends in similar industries to identify best practices, product gaps and innovations in offerings that can be used to address our product roadmap.
● Regularly meet with internal stakeholders to solicit their feedback on internal and customer needs for consideration in the product roadmap, and ensure regular communication of upcoming product changes and enhancements.
● Display proven fiscal responsibility by leading and adhering to budgets and always seeking out operating efficiencies and economies.
● Model an inclusive, roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic by showing a willingness to participate in daily workloads when needed to make deadlines.
Qualifications / Requirements
● Minimum of 10 years of experience in Engineering/Product Management
● 8+ years leadership in Engineering/product management with proven results driving team development and innovation.
● Demonstrated ability to lead functional, technical, and strategic discussions to drive successful outcomes.
● Excellent written and communication skills.
● Keen analytical attitude.
● Strong action orientation.
● Exceptional solution-building skills; proven track record to understand business challenges, structure sophisticated problems, and develop solutions
● You should be an authority with experience in building and mentoring a team of new and top-tier Engineers and Product Managers while understanding how to navigate and positively influence an organization cross-functionally at the executive management level.
Ziff Davis offers competitive salaries in addition to robust health and wellness focused benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefits; Flexible Spending accounts, 401(k) with company match, an Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Pregnancy and Parental leave, Family Planning Support via Maven, Flexible Time Off, Volunteer Time Off, Fitness Reimbursement as well as employee-focused engagement and education programs, including Employee Resource Groups and company-sponsored events. If you’re seeking a dynamic work environment where you can see the direct impact of your performance, then Ziff Davis is the place for you.
**Ziff Davis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of every race, gender, sexual orientation and background to apply. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all employees. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
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