Director, Product Management

We are seeking a hands-on Director of Product Management to join our dynamic team. This key leadership role reports directly to the Senior Vice President of R&D and will be pivotal in shaping the future of cell therapy manufacturing by collaborating with leadership and cross-functional partners to create a portfolio of groundbreaking products that drive Cellares' growth and impact.
The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker who is also ready to roll up their sleeves and execute. With a small, agile team, this role requires someone who can seamlessly transition between high-level strategy and detailed, hands-on work. The ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership and across all levels of the organization is crucial for success in this position.
We're looking for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment, is comfortable wearing multiple hats, and is ready to tackle diverse challenges as our company grows.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary product owner, directly managing all aspects of the product lifecycle
• Actively participate in day-to-day product development activities, from ideation to launch
• Be prepared to take on various tasks as needed, given the lean team structure
• Regularly present product strategies, roadmaps, and progress updates to senior leadership
• Collaborate effectively with the Senior VP of R&D and other executives to align product direction with overall company strategy
• Articulate complex technical and market concepts clearly to diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders
• Analyze the Cell and Gene Therapy marketplace to identify trends, opportunities, and unmet needs
• Gather insights from clients and assess competitors to inform product direction
• Translate market needs into clear product requirements and use cases
• Develop an in-depth understanding of target users' needs and usage profiles
• Prioritize solutions that address critical user pain points and drive value
• Conduct user interviews and synthesize feedback to inform product decisions
• Develop and implement product roadmaps that balance short-term customer needs with long-term scalable technology development
• Maximize portfolio potential through strategic prioritization
• Personally manage and update roadmaps as market conditions evolve
• Partner closely with engineering and process sciences teams to scope product delivery, evaluate development alternatives, and support build/buy decisions
• Work directly with marketing to create compelling go-to-market strategies and product positioning
• Facilitate cross-functional meetings and drive decision-making processes
• Actively monitor product progress throughout the development lifecycle
• Identify and mitigate risks while capitalizing on emerging opportunities
• Be prepared to step in and address issues hands-on when necessary

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., Business, Engineering, Life Sciences)
• 10+ years of experience in business strategy or product strategy roles, with substantial customer-facing experience
• Proven track record of successfully setting product vision and defining products, including target customer identification, core value proposition articulation, and business model development
• Leadership experience in at least one successful new product development initiative from conception to launch
• Strong analytical skills combined with creative intuition, enabling data-driven and insight-driven strategy development
• Excellent presentation and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to effectively interact with senior leadership and diverse stakeholders
• Experience presenting complex technical and market concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and influence cross-functional teams and leadership
• Capability to participate in client meetings as a product expert
• Prior experience with full project ownership and hands-on execution of product management tasks
• Comfortable working in a lean team environment and taking on diverse sets of responsibilities
• Passion for innovation in the life sciences and healthcare industries

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS, or Ph.D.) in a relevant field
• Experience in the cell and gene therapy industry
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements in the medical device or biotechnology sectors
• Experiencer leading small, agile teams in a startup environment
• Track record of successful collaboration with C-level executives and board members

This is Cellares
Cellares is the first Integrated Developm