What a Great VP of Product Really Does | SaaStr

1 Nov 2017 · 33 min
33:04

In this SaaStr panel, moderator Jason M. Lemkin brings together four product leaders—Satya Patel (former VP of Product at Twitter), Ciara Peter (Head of Product at BetterWorks), John Stross (Co‑founder & VP of Product at Greenhouse), and Zach Smolinski (VP of Product at Rainforest QA)—to dissect what a VP of Product actually does and how to be great at it. The conversation covers the core responsibilities (strategy, execution velocity, go‑to‑market), the "3 C's" of product leadership (Conductor, Communicator, Coach), and a practical framework of Mobilize‑Prioritize‑Optimize‑Recognize. Panelists share the traits that distinguish outstanding VPs—vision, decisive product taste, ability to say no, and protecting the team (the "shit‑umbrella" metaphor). They discuss ideal backgrounds (business, engineering, design) and argue that data‑driven, user‑centric, decisive people can come from any discipline. The timing for hiring a VP is explored, with signals such as reaching ~100 customers, needing scale, and founders being stretched thin. Relationship dynamics with CEOs/founders, cross‑functional collaboration, and where product sits in org charts are examined. Various organizational structures are debated, from pod‑based product‑design‑engineering squads to centralized design, and the importance of clear ownership and KPIs is emphasized. Process tools like OKRs, quarterly roadmaps, continuous delivery, retrospectives, Product Design Reviews, and embedded user research are highlighted as ways to maintain velocity and quality. Hiring criteria for product managers are detailed, focusing on operational cadence, decision‑making frameworks, empathy, and the ability to produce clear requirements documents. Finally, the panel offers practical advice for sourcing great VPs—leveraging investor networks, talking to engineers, and seeking references from product managers who have repeatedly worked with top VPs.

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