Senior Director, Product Management - Collections

Senior Director, Product Management - Collections

Title: Senior Director, Product Management - Collections
Location: United States-Georgia-Atlanta
Other Locations:
The Product Manager owns the performance of the Collections portfolio. This position is responsible for developing and executing on the plans necessary to support the full life-cycle management including strategic direction, profitability and revenue commitment for the Company's portfolio of collections and recoveries solutions. This includes, but is not limited to: understanding market and customer needs for both first and third party collections solutions that locate, prioritize, and monitor collections accounts, identification of new products and opportunities, enhancement or re-purposing of existing products and developing and executing on a product portfolio marketing strategy, inclusive of promotions, pricing and channel management. The product manager will be responsible for utilizing all of the unique data assets Equifax possesses, as well as considering strategic partnerships to deliver world class collection/recovery solutions.

The position works across the organization, leveraging the skills and knowledge of NPI champions, pricing, product marketing, sales, market strategy, finance and technology, as required to support the growth objectives of the collections portfolio. The product manager position also involves partner, customer and prospect interaction.

Responsibilities:
* Product Planning: Develops the strategic full life-cycle product plans necessary to penetrate the various segments of the collections market and to appropriately respond to competitive products and services. Remains current on market requirements and the latest competitive growth trends to analyze the need and timing for product development and enhancement. Works closely with sales and finance, forecasts performance and develops customer, revenue and margin growth objectives.
* Product Management: Maximizes growth opportunities of via a strong and comprehensive product portfolio strategy and marketing plan based on market and segment needs, including:
* Identification and development of new products. Writes business requirements and other documentation included but not limited to: NPI Toll Gates and Business Cases, Marketing requirements documents, Product and product suite descriptions and solution value statements, Assists with use-case inventories for product design, Product line plans, Marketing plans, Product launch materials
* Enhancements and re-purposing/packaging of existing products;
* Maintenance of existing products: works with product marketing on updates to materials, including customer testimonials, training and providing expertise on collections and recoveries topics.
* Maintenance of existing products: works with IT and Operations to develop and implement ongoing business rules modifications;
* Sunset products not meeting market/segment needs and develop transition plans;
* Develop and execute on a comprehensive product portfolio marketing plan, including the utilization of channels, pricing and promotions to drive growth
* Working with sales, finance and accounting, develop revenue and profit objectives;
* Define key measurements of product line performance and success criteria. Supports tracking efforts and provides market data for the analysis of each segment of the product line.
* Product release planning: creating release plan, working with other groups to drive the release (services, marketing, legal, etc.) and ensuring that all aspects of the release planning process are complete upon product availability.
* Marketing Plan: Works with pricing, product marketing, marketing communications and sales to develop and execute on a comprehensive marketing plan to drive profitable growth of the collections portfolio, including:
* Develop innovative and competitive packaging and pricing strategies to maximize bundled sales and accelerate the growth of the product line;
* Develop promotional plan product line and input into overall U.S. promotional calendar, leveraging appropriate mediums and channels for targeted segments, raising profile of Equifax collection and recovery solutions. This includes the creation of collateral, lead gen campaigns, white papers, speaking engagements and other means to drive growth;
* Form comprehensive channel strategy for that encompasses how and which channels to use to drive strategic objectives.
* Partnerships/Alliances: Responsible for identifying, implementing and managing appropriate product partnerships to drive revenue growth and market penetration.
* Tactical Implementation: Manages cross-organization operational execution process to ensure that marketing plans are implemented successfully.
* Professional Development: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills, professionalism and productivity of the product management group by providing training, guidance, coaching and feedback.
* Experience at a retail bank, lending institution, credit bureau or collections agency with a robust understanding of the collections and recovery environment; this would include an understanding of market trends, collection strategy development and a thorough understanding of the solutions/products currently in the market.
* 10 years in a collections, recovery or credit risk role in a complex business environment required
* Product management and/or new product development experience preferred
* Experience/understanding of both 1st party and 3rd party collections preferred
* Bachelor's degree in marketing, finance, economics or similar field required, M.B.A. preferred or equivalent business experience
* Excellent written and verbal skills with sensitivity to diversity of audiences including internal and external groups of varying sizes
* Experience developing effective working relationships with, peers, managers, and senior management within and across organizational lines
* Well organized and focuses on the highest priorities first
* Strong project management skills required
* Strategic and innovative thinking with ability to develop and understand financial and economic scenarios
* Strong analytical skills as evidenced by a proven ability to quantitatively and qualitatively analyze product concepts, strategic opportunities and competitive threats