Director Product Management
Calian
Position Overview
Calian is seeking a Director of Product Management, a senior leadership role reporting directly to the Chief Information and Technology Officer (CITO). This position is responsible for defining and driving the company’s product, solution, and services vision, strategy, and roadmap.
Hybrid, CAN
The Director leads cross-functional collaboration across engineering, design, services, marketing, and business teams to deliver innovative, customer-centric solutions that align with business objectives and market opportunities. This role owns the full solution lifecycle—from ideation and design through launch and iteration—ensuring every product delivers outstanding user experience, strong market fit, and measurable business impact.
A key focus of this role is ensuring high-quality outcomes by continuously improving systems, processes, and workflows to enable exceptional customer experiences and rapid response to market needs. The Director also maintains strategic partnerships and oversees key vendor relationships, working closely with engineering to ensure product reliability, scalability, and performance.
Responsibilities
Product Vision & Strategy
- Define and communicate a compelling solution vision and multi-year strategy aligned with company objectives and market trends.
- Translate strategic goals into actionable product/solution roadmaps that drive innovation, differentiation, and growth.
Lifecycle Ownership
- Lead the end-to-end product/solution lifecycle, from discovery and design through development, launch, and continuous improvement.
- Establish and refine development processes that ensure agility, quality, and speed to market.
Customer & Market Focus
- Champion a deep understanding of customer needs, behaviors, and pain points through research, data, and direct engagement.
- Ensure product decisions are grounded in user experience, market fit, and competitive analysis.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Partner with engineering, design, marketing, and sales to deliver cohesive, high-impact product and services experiences.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning across teams.
Business Alignment & Impact
- Align product outcomes with key business goals such as revenue growth, customer retention, and market expansion.
- Define and track KPIs to measure product performance, adoption, and ROI.
Team Development & Leadership
- Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing product management team and culture across the company.
- Promote a culture of innovation, ownership, and customer obsession.
Thought Leadership & Representation
- Represent the company and product vision at industry events, customer forums, and executive briefings.
- Stay ahead of emerging trends and technologies to inform product strategy and maintain competitive advantage.
Problem Solving & Strategic Thinking
- Lead teams and solve critical problems with department- or business-affecting scope.
- Think strategically, anticipate potential issues, and create innovative solutions.
Qualifications
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Experience: 5+ years in product management with a proven track record of launching successful solutions and scaling product offerings.
- Skills & Expertise:
- Deep understanding of product development methodologies, user-centered design, and agile practices.
- Strong business acumen and ability to translate strategy into execution.
- Excellent communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to influence at all levels, including executive leadership.
- Experience in B2B, SaaS, or platform-based products; experience in the defence sector is a plus.
- Financial acumen, including understanding of budgets and financial management.
Additional Requirements
- Strategic thinker capable of solving complex, organization-wide challenges.
- Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-stakes environments and leading through ambiguity.
- Proven ability to drive alignment and results across cross-functional teams.
- Willingness to travel occasionally for executive, customer, or partner engagements.
#LI-RL1# #SF#
How we hire
- Our hiring process is designed to help us get to know you and discover if you are the best fit for our team. It's also an opportunity for you to gauge if a role at Calian is the right fit for you.
Throughout the process, we’ll share details of the kind of work you’ll be doing, the projects you’ll be working on, the team you’ll be joining, and what it’s like working at Calian. Our biggest tip throughout the process is to just be your authentic self! - Our commitment to diverse, yet highly specialized solutions require many different skills and abilities. We look for the best talent that can contribute to Calian’s success as well as enhance our culture. We encourage you to apply to a role or join our talent community and sign up for job alerts that match your area of expertise and what you are looking for in your next opportunity.
During the recruiting process, you’re encouraged to notify us of any accommodations you may require. We’ll be happy to help.
- We give the same time and consideration to everyone who applies. Here are a few things you can do to ensure your application shines:
- Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- Add a cover letter that explains why you are a good fit for this position
- Share a portfolio, personal websites, or links to your professional social media
- In your CV, highlight your key achievements - this is your time to brag
- Include dates! Share the timeline of your experience
- Stand out by tailoring your resume to each position you apply to
- Only apply to roles you’re genuinely interested in and that align to your experience
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- Be prepared! Do your research on Calian, the department, and team you are looking to join
- View the responsibilities for the role and find examples that demonstrate how you’ve completed these in your previous work experience
- Prepare a list of questions to ask us
- Dress business casual for your interview (virtual and in person)
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- We assess your skills and fit, you assess our fit for you
- We keep you updated and share expectations as we make progress in the recruiting cycle
- Feel free to reach out to your Talent Acquisition Specialist at any time during the hiring process
Perks and benefits
- Flexible work hours
- Robust company-paid benefits
- Generous time off package
- A balanced approach to work and life
- Stock purchase plan
- RRSP program*
- Work from home options