IT Product Manager
Careers Explorer:
Responsible for guiding the success of technical products such as software programmes, apps or video games.
Overview
As the IT Product Manager, you’re the bridge between the product and the consumer. You’ll be working with people who make the product, use the product and sell the product to ensure it’s meeting everyone’s needs.
Within the IT sector, that product is likely to be software, apps or video games, so you’ll need a good understanding of IT and how software is built in order to work well with the product developers and ensure the product is being made as efficiently as possible.
You’ll also be required to work with users of the product, finding out what new features they want and make decisions about the future of the product.
You’re responsible for the lifecycle of the product, ensuring that everyone is following the product roadmap and that features are being released on time and are of a high quality.
The success of the product is down to you, so you’ll need a sound knowledge of business, marketing, data analysis and technology, as well as excellent communication and organisational skills.
Top 5 Tasks
- Take overall responsibility for the success of your product and contribute towards product strategy and vision
- Collect, analyse and respond to user feedback
- Manage budgets
- Plan new features and changes to a product
- Research competitors and similar products.
Salary
Starting salaries are usually between £25,000 and £40,000, while experienced IT Product Managers can earn around £60,000.
Am I Suited?
- Leader
- Technically-minded
- Excellent communicator
- Organised
- Good negotiator
On average one in five products fail because they don’t meet customers’ needs, so the Product Manager is uniquely placed to bring the perspective of the consumer into the production process, helping to ensure the product’s success.
Qualifications
There are no formal qualifications needed to become an IT product manager, although most employers will prefer candidates with a relevant qualification, especially a degree, such as in business management, marketing or an IT related role.
