Other titles for the Group Product Manager and Head of Product, or similar or overlapping role: Lead Product Manager, Senior Product Manager, Principal Product Manager, Product Group Manager, VP of Product, Chief Product Officer, Product Director, Director of Product Management
A Group Product Manager (GPM) leads one or more teams of product managers, driving strategy, execution, and mentorship that is often a player / coach (both a people leader and individual contributor).
The Head of Product, which may sometimes also be a Group Product Manager, sets the overall product vision, aligns cross-functional teams, and ensures the product portfolio supports business objectives and market success.
Most often, the Group Product Manager focuses more on the operational aspects of product management, while the Head of Product plays more of a strategic product role.
A Group Product Manager (GPM) most often has all of the same duties as a product manager in addition to being a people leader. And as such also has responsibilities for staffing, coaching and development along with team management and coordination:
Coaching and Development: The GPM is responsible for assessing team members’ strengths and weaknesses and dedicating significant time to develop these skills. This involves creating specific coaching plans to help each individual improve, which is a major commitment in this role, potentially occupying up to 80% of their time.
Staffing and Team Building: They manage the entire lifecycle of team dynamics, from sourcing and recruiting to onboarding, evaluating, and sometimes replacing team members. The effectiveness of the product heavily relies on their ability to select and nurture the right talent, raising the overall competence and performance of the product team.
Leadership and Strategic Direction: They lead by empowering their teams, allowing them the autonomy to solve designated customer or business problems. This requires the GPM to provide clear strategic context, including the product vision and objectives, ensuring teams have the guidance needed to make informed decisions.
The Head of Product, which may be combined with the GPM role in smaller organizations, creates the product vision and higher-level strategy and is responsible for the broader product organization and its topology. And like the GPM, they often foster an environment that embraces the product operating model.
Vision and Strategy: Define and articulate a compelling product vision that serves as the organization’s North Star, ensuring that all cross-functional teams are aligned with this vision and motivated to drive the product forward. This involves creating a strategic plan that translates broad goals into specific actions that improve customer satisfaction and achieve business objectives.
Organization and Team Topology: Design and implement an effective team topology that maximizes team empowerment and operational efficiency. This includes defining clear roles, responsibilities, and reporting structures that encourage autonomy while ensuring strong alignment with the company’s strategic goals and facilitating collaboration across departments.