The Head of Product Development (HPD) will report to the Chief Technology Officer and oversee the Product Development Management team that manages Travelzoo's innovative product portfolio and go-to-market strategies. In this role, the HPD will oversee the design, creation and improvement of all of Travelzoo's products, from consumer media offerings to search and other publishing or web properties. He or she will direct a team with special focus on delivering world-class publishing quality via exceptional user experience, continuous innovation, and highly relevant, accountable, and profitable media product introduction and ongoing evolution.
The HPD will work closely with engineering to deliver unbeatable publishing quality and world class products and will work with divisional and country executives, engineering, and support to ensure success metrics and customer satisfaction goals are met post launch and continually enhanced during a product’s life cycle. The HPD will be the company expert on continuous user experience enhancement, product line improvements, new product introductions, competition, and monetization opportunities. The HPD will be responsible for the hiring, training and ongoing management of world class product managers.
The Head of Product Development is expected to:
Think first and foremost of Travelzoo’s subscribers and their wants and needs
Consistently prioritize long term user benefits and the high quality of information presentation as a higher value than short term gains
Become the cross-divisional, cross-product and internal tool executive expert at Travelzoo
Direct product managers in the creation and execution of individual product roadmaps
Deliver product roadmaps and subsequent feature requests according to executive direction
Work with external third parties to assess partnerships and audience expansion opportunities
Establish product line success metrics and measures and reports against success metrics
Represent company stakeholders throughout the process
Act as the internal product champion, including relevant training and communications
Ensure publishing quality, usability, and go-to-market readiness of all products
Hire, train and manage a team of product development managers
Be responsible for the success and failure of product lines as such in a matrix relationship with divisional teams that are responsible for divisional results
Utilize new technologies to continually bring new products to the marketplace and identify high-value potential products/potential product combinations for subscribers and advertisers
Help develop short and long term pricing, marketing, promotion and placement strategies that grow market share for new and existing products
Help monitor and enhance product revenue, market share growth and profitability of all products and services
Identify ways to fully leverage the company's assets across all email and web properties
Strike a balance between enforcement corporate standards for products and divisional country/cultural needs for success
Desired experience, knowledge, and attributes:
Experience as head of usability and executive product manager or product marketing manager in Internet media, preferably working on global, direct to mass consumer facing Internet properties
Demonstrated success defining and launching media email/web products and services with experience in both entrepreneurial and large corporate environments
Unparalleled personal capabilities in the area of high quality Web design, user interface engineering, and informational content optimization for both Web and e-mail communication
Demonstrated success managing team of highly skilled professionals
Several years of experience and demonstrated success in the media publishing, advertising, and Internet content and information tools arena
Excellent written and verbal communication skills to the level of being a company leading communicator who can build consensus across multiple constituencies
Relevant academic and other training
Understanding of key performance indicators, business requirements, and other areas critical to Internet media such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), user interface optimization, and design principles. Media content personalization, search, or other information retrieval application experience is a plus.
Excellent teamwork and teambuilding skills
Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams without formal authority
Creative thinking, ability to make changes to plans on the fly, and executive humility
Ability to travel 20% of the time
Understand the current and evolving needs of existing and potential advertisers
Have successful experience in developing and introducing new products, brand and product strategies, marketing strategies and customer value propositions in a highly competitive Internet media arena
Have excellent creative instincts, a deep understanding of technology and strong project management and analytical skills
Be a leader capable of building and managing a motivated team
Be a proactive and entrepreneurial individual who will initiate action, build new business, maintain core businesses and achieve results in a changing environment
Relevant academic credentials and experience in media, product development, and travel are all welcome.
We offer:
Top salary
Performance Bonus
Excellent career opportunities
Medical, Dental, and Vision
401(k) Plan
Relocation assistance available
Exciting and fast paced work environment
Ask about the Travelzoo Experience, a unique benefit for Travelzoo employees.
