Director, Product Engineering
Description
Ookla® is a global leader in connectivity intelligence, offering unparalleled network insights through the combined expertise of Speedtest®, Downdetector®, RootMetrics®, and Ekahau®. Ookla’s complementary datasets combine crowdsourced and controlled, public and private collection methods, QoS and QoE metrics, and more to unlock correlations and actionable insights — helping organizations optimize networks, enhance digital experiences, and create better connected experiences for end-users.
Our team is a group of people brought together through passion and inspired by possibility. We are looking for team members who love solving problems, are motivated by challenges, and enjoy turning clever ideas into exceptional products. When you work for us, you are using Ookla data and insights to advance our mission of better connectivity for all.
ROLE SUMMARY
The Downdetector-Connect Product Engineering Director is a senior leadership role responsible for driving the overall strategy, vision, and execution of product development initiatives across the organization. This role involves leading a team of product managers, designers, engineers, and other stakeholders to deliver innovative products that align with the company’s strategic goals and meet customer needs. The Product Engineering Director is responsible for ensuring that product development processes are efficient, scalable, and aligned with broader business objectives.
The Downdetector-Connect Product Engineering Director is a senior leadership role that blends strategic vision, team leadership, and executional excellence. This individual is responsible for overseeing the development of high-impact products that align with company goals, driving innovation, optimizing processes, and managing cross-functional teams to ensure successful product outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in product management, team leadership, and delivering measurable business results.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop Product Strategy: Define the long-term product development strategy aligned with the company’s overall business goals, customer needs, and market opportunities.
- Vision and Innovation: Set the vision for product innovation, encouraging creative thinking, new product ideas, and disruptive solutions that give the company a competitive edge.
- Market and Competitive Analysis: Stay informed of industry trends, competitor activities, and customer feedback to identify growth opportunities and anticipate market shifts.
- Lead Product Development Teams: Manage and mentor a high-performing team of product managers, designers, engineers, and other product professionals. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
- Define and Prioritize Product Roadmap: Oversee the development of product roadmaps that prioritize high-value initiatives while balancing short-term deliverables with long-term strategic goals.
- Ensure Timely Delivery: Ensure that products are developed on time, within scope, and meet quality standards. Drive efficient execution through effective resource allocation and risk management.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Lead cross-functional collaboration with departments such as engineering, marketing, sales, and operations to ensure alignment and smooth execution of product initiatives.
- Budget & Resource Management: Manage budgets for product development initiatives, ensuring that projects are adequately funded and resources are allocated efficiently.
- Product Lifecycle Management: Oversee the entire product lifecycle, ensuring that each stage (concept, development, launch, and post-launch) is executed effectively and delivers value.
- Process Optimization: Implement best practices for product development, including agile methodologies, stage-gate processes, and quality assurance protocols.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous improvement, leveraging feedback, performance metrics, and post-launch analysis to optimize product development workflows.
- Executive Communication: Present product development updates, progress, challenges, and results to executive leadership and key stakeholders.
REQUIREMENTS
- Years of Experience: 8-12+ years of experience in product development or related roles, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position (e.g., Director, VP of Product, Head of Product).
- Team Leadership: Proven experience in leading and managing large, cross-functional teams. Ability to inspire and develop talent while fostering a collaborative, high-performance culture.
- Stakeholder Management: Strong skills in managing relationships with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners.
- Product Strategy: Extensive experience in developing and executing product strategies that drive business results.
- Roadmap and Execution: Expertise in creating and managing product roadmaps, setting priorities, and ensuring timely delivery of product initiatives.
- Full Product Lifecycle: Deep understanding of managing the full product lifecycle, from ideation to post-launch optimization.
- Bachelor’s Degree: Typically, a degree in business, engineering, computer science, or a related field.
- Advanced Degree (Optional): An MBA or similar advanced degree can be a plus for understanding business strategy and leadership.
- Certifications: Certifications such as Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Agile certifications, or similar are advantageous but not mandatory.
UK
We care deeply about each other and the work we do, and our perks are just one way we demonstrate this. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including (but not limited to):
- Pension matching,
- Competitive annual leave
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) options
- Private health insurance
- Paid pregnancy and parental leave
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) (mental health, financial advice, legal guidance, and more)
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Annual Season Ticket Loans
- Income Protection
- Life Insurance
- Wellness benefits (Calm app, gym reimbursement, ERG groups, etc)
You will have the best hardware, software, and tools available for you to do your work, and we provide excellent flexibility for working remotely as time and responsibilities allow. To promote your success and growth we offer educational opportunities, and anti-racism and LGBTQIA+ resource libraries, team activities, and many more.