K

Director, Product Marketing

Kong
Full-time
On-site
United States
πŸ“¦ Product Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Director, Product Marketing

πŸ”Ή Company: Kong

πŸ”Ή Location: United States

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-time

πŸ”Ή Category: Software Development

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: 2025-07-10

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 10+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: Remote OK

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Leading a team of product marketers for multiple Kong products across the Konnect platform
  • Developing and executing product marketing strategies to differentiate Kong's offerings
  • Serving as a thought leader in the API Management space and representing Kong in industry events
  • Building scalable processes for content creation, competitive intelligence, product launches, and sales enablement
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to build a customer-centric product and go-to-market strategy

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product marketing, cloud native solutions, and API management.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Build and lead a high-performing team of product marketers

βœ… Lead positioning and messaging efforts to differentiate Kong’s offerings

βœ… Act as a thought leader in the API Management space and represent Kong in industry events

βœ… Build scalable processes for content creation, competitive intelligence, product launches, and sales enablement

βœ… Work closely with Product, Marketing, and Field teams to build and execute a customer-centric product and go-to-market strategy

βœ… Collaborate with Field Enablement to coach and train the field teams on Kong's pitch, value proposition, messaging, ROI, competitive positioning, assets, etc.

βœ… Influence and guide the product roadmap by acting as the voice of the customer and field teams

ASSUMPTION: The responsibilities listed above are subject to change based on business needs and may evolve over time. The ideal candidate will be adaptable and comfortable with a dynamic work environment.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

Experience: 7+ years of experience in product marketing and/or product strategy, with 5+ years of experience leading high-performance product marketing teams in cloud native solutions

Required Skills:

  • Proven experience in open source software, SaaS platforms, moving from on-premises to cloud managed services, and API management space
  • Highly collaborative and influential in cross-functional environments
  • Passion for measurable outcomes and continuous experimentation to drive innovation and results
  • Strong leadership and coaching skills
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with cloud infrastructure products and their associated technical audiences
  • Familiarity with Kong's products and services
  • Background in developer relations

ASSUMPTION: While the job description lists specific qualifications, Kong values candidates who are strong in a few areas and have some interest and capabilities in others. If you don't meet all the criteria but are still interested in the job, please apply.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $200,000 - $230,000 per year (USD)

Benefits:

  • Healthcare Benefits
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Short and Long Term Disability Benefits
  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

Working Hours: Full-time position with a typical workweek of 40 hours

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles. The actual salary may vary depending on factors such as experience, skills, and location.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: Kong operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on API management, cloud computing, and big data solutions. The company is a leader in the API gateway market, with over 300 million downloads worldwide.

Company Size: Kong is a mid-sized company with 501-1,000 employees, providing a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Founded: Kong was founded in 2017, with a mission to enable companies to become "API-first" and securely accelerate AI adoption.

Company Description:

  • Kong is THE cloud native API platform with the fastest, most adopted API gateway in the world.
  • The company helps organizations globally - from startups to Fortune 500 enterprises - unleash developer productivity, build securely, and accelerate to market.
  • Kong believes that APIs act as the nervous system of the cloud, connecting software and allowing it to interact with one another.

Company Specialties:

  • API Management
  • Cloud Services
  • Big Data
  • Cloud Computing
  • Open Source
  • API Analytics
  • API Documentation
  • Microservices
  • API Innovation
  • Hybrid Cloud
  • Professional Services
  • Plugins
  • API Infrastructure
  • Security
  • Observability
  • Service Mesh

Company Website: konghq.com

ASSUMPTION: Kong's focus on APIs and cloud native solutions makes it an attractive employer for candidates interested in cutting-edge technology and innovative problem-solving.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Head of Product Marketing.

Reporting Structure: The Director of Product Marketing will lead a team of product marketers and collaborate with various teams, including Product, Marketing, Partnerships, Sales, and Customer Success.

Work Arrangement: This role is remote-friendly, allowing for flexible work arrangements.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential to grow and develop the product marketing team
  • Opportunity to influence the product roadmap and contribute to Kong's overall strategy
  • Chance to gain experience in a leadership role and expand industry knowledge

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to make a substantial impact on Kong's success.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Kong has a hybrid work environment, with offices in San Francisco, California, and remote work options.

Office Location(s): San Francisco, California

Geographic Context:

  • San Francisco is a major tech hub, offering ample opportunities for networking and professional growth
  • The city is known for its diverse culture, vibrant neighborhoods, and scenic beauty
  • Kong's office is located in the heart of San Francisco, providing easy access to public transportation and amenities

Work Schedule: The typical workweek is 40 hours, with flexible hours and remote work options available.

ASSUMPTION: Kong's hybrid work environment and flexible hours allow for a healthy work-life balance, while still providing opportunities for collaboration and in-person interaction.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
  • Technical interview with a member of the product marketing team
  • On-site or video interview with the hiring manager and other team members
  • Final interview with the Head of Product Marketing

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Product marketing experience and leadership skills
  • Understanding of Kong's products and the API management space
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • Communication and presentation skills

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare examples of your past product marketing successes and challenges
  • Research Kong's products and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm

ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, Cloud Infrastructure, API Management, SaaS Platforms, Open Source Software, Sales Enablement, Competitive Intelligence, Content Creation, Customer Centric Strategy, Public Speaking, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Data-Driven Decision Making, Coaching Mindset, Innovation, Results Orientation

ASSUMPTION: Kong's interview process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit. Preparation and research are key to success in the interview process.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Confluence
  • Jira
  • Slack
  • Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Docs, Google Sheets, etc.)

ASSUMPTION: Kong uses a variety of collaboration and productivity tools to facilitate communication and project management. Familiarity with these tools is not required but may be helpful.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Customer Obsessed
  • Innovation
  • One Team
  • Quality
  • Transparency

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and cross-functional
  • Data-driven and results-oriented
  • Adaptable and responsive to change
  • Committed to continuous learning and improvement

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • Do you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative work environment?
  • Are you passionate about driving measurable outcomes and continuous experimentation?
  • Do you enjoy working with cross-functional teams to build and execute strategies?

ASSUMPTION: Kong values candidates who are a strong fit with the company's culture and work style. Self-assessment is an essential part of the application process.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • The role requires a high level of strategic thinking and leadership, which may be challenging for candidates without extensive product marketing experience
  • The dynamic and fast-paced nature of the tech industry may present unique challenges and require adaptability
  • The role involves collaboration with various teams, which may require strong communication and project management skills
  • The remote-friendly nature of the role may present challenges in maintaining work-life balance

ASSUMPTION: While this role presents numerous opportunities, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Candidates should carefully consider their skills, experience, and personal preferences before applying.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • This role is similar to other senior product marketing positions but may require more leadership and strategic thinking
  • The API management focus of this role sets it apart from other product marketing positions in the tech industry
  • This role offers significant growth opportunities and the chance to make a substantial impact on Kong's success

ASSUMPTION: Candidates should research similar roles in the tech industry to better understand the unique aspects of this position and how it compares to other opportunities.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing and executing a product launch strategy for a new Kong product
  • Conducting market research and competitive analysis to inform product positioning and messaging
  • Creating and delivering a keynote presentation at an industry conference

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are intended to give candidates an idea of the types of tasks and responsibilities they may encounter in this role. The actual projects and responsibilities may vary based on business needs and priorities.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the current product marketing strategy and how this role fits into it?
  • How does Kong support the growth and development of its product marketing team members?
  • What are the biggest challenges facing the product marketing team, and how can this role help address them?
  • How does Kong approach collaboration and communication between different teams and departments?
  • What are the most important priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?

ASSUMPTION: These questions are intended to help candidates better understand the role, the team, and the company. Candidates should tailor their questions to their specific interests and concerns.

πŸ“Œ Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

  • Submit your application through this link
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare examples of your past product marketing successes and challenges
  • Research Kong's products and industry to demonstrate your understanding and enthusiasm
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.