Product Marketing Manager

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Product Marketing Manager

🔹 Company: Thales

🔹 Location: Irvine, California, United States

🔹 Job Type: Hybrid

🔹 Category: IT Services and IT Consulting

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-30

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (2 days remote, 3 days on-site)

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Analyzing market trends and customer needs to develop a product vision and value proposition.
• Collaborating with various teams to ensure successful product execution and marketing strategies.
• Developing and refining pricing strategies based on market needs and competitive intelligence.
• Acting as a thought leader internally and externally, representing Thales as a subject matter expert.
• Supporting the sales team on problems solved and value delivered, and representing Thales at industry events.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics. The ideal candidate will have experience in product marketing or management, with a focus on analyzing and interpreting data to drive product strategy.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Lead analysis of market trends, market/customer needs, segmentation, and competition positioning regarding the valuing of their services/product line.

✅ Collaborate with the Customer Success team to map customer requirements to product strategy, identifying gaps and weaknesses, and developing plans to address them.

✅ Research industry/customer pain points to identify opportunities and selling aspects that appeal to existing and new customers.

✅ For the innovation project, define a winning product action plan and manage the delivery of marketing artifacts, including roadmaps, lifecycle strategies, early access programs, and go-to-market plans.

✅ Act as the primary thought leader internally and externally, supporting the sales team on the problems we solve and value we deliver, and representing Thales as a subject matter expert at tradeshows and industry events.

✅ Develop and dollarize the product’s value proposition with a focus on bringing unique value and solving our customer’s needs.

✅ Develop and refine pricing strategies for innovative products and services based on a comprehensive Total Value of Operations analysis.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong analytical mindset, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with various teams to drive product success.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, General Business, Entrepreneurship, STEM, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant work experience, or HS diploma with a minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience.

Experience: Solid experience in Product Marketing and/or Product Management in any combination of the telecommunications, media, digital services, and/or inflight entertainment and communications field.

Required Skills:

• Strong analytical ability with proficiency in pricing, ROI, and TCO analysis, market analysis, and competitive intelligence.
• Proven experience in developing effective marketing material.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with A/B testing, growth hacking, and digital marketing techniques.
• Fluency in multiple languages.

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product marketing or management, with a focus on analyzing and interpreting data to drive product strategy. Experience in the telecommunications, media, digital services, and/or inflight entertainment and communications field is preferred.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The anticipated TTC range for this role is $131,520.00 - $219,200.00 USD Annual. The Company reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s status protected by local, state, or federal law.

Benefits:

• Elective Health, Dental, Vision, FSA/HSA, Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life w/LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Legal Plan, Identity Theft, and Pet Insurance
• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment with a company contribution and a match, and with no vesting period
• Company paid holidays and Paid Time Off
• Company provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program

Working Hours: Full-time, 9/80 work week eligible. May be required to work outside core business hours.

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a Product Marketing Manager role with 10+ years of experience. The final salary offer may vary based on the candidate's qualifications and the company's annual salary budget.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Thales is a global leader in advanced technologies, specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital identity. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener, and more inclusive.

Company Size: Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

Founded: Thales was founded in 1893 and is headquartered in Meudon, Île-de-France, France.

Company Description:

• Thales invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies, and 6G.
• The Group provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents.
• Thales champions inclusion and believes diversity strengthens the fabric of its culture. It is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

Company Specialties:

• Aerospace
• Defence
• Security
• Space
• Cybersecurity
• Big Data
• IoT
• Connectivity
• Artificial Intelligence
• Digital
• Systems
• and Software

Company Website: http://www.thalesgroup.com/

ASSUMPTION: Thales is a large, global company with a strong focus on innovation and research and development. Its extensive benefits program and commitment to diversity and inclusion make it an attractive employer.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring 10+ years of experience in product marketing or management.

Reporting Structure: The Product Marketing Manager will report directly to the Head of Innovation or a similar role, depending on the specific team structure.

Work Arrangement: This role is a hybrid position, with 2 days of remote work and 3 days on-site.

Growth Opportunities:

• After the initial innovation phase, this role may evolve into a Product Marketing Manager role for the new products.
• Thales offers opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
• The company's focus on innovation and research and development provides opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects and technologies.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities, both within the product marketing function and across the broader organization. The company's focus on innovation and research and development provides a dynamic and challenging work environment.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Thales' Irvine office is a modern, collaborative workspace with demo labs and an on-site café.

Office Location(s): 100 Thales Way, Irvine, CA 92618, United States

Geographic Context:

• Irvine is located in Orange County, California, approximately 45 miles southeast of Los Angeles.
• The area is known for its Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm summers.
• Irvine is home to several Fortune 500 companies and offers a high quality of life with excellent schools, parks, and recreational opportunities.

Work Schedule: The work schedule is a 9/80 work week, with core business hours from Monday to Friday. Some flexibility may be required to work outside core business hours.

ASSUMPTION: Irvine offers a pleasant work environment with a comfortable climate and a high quality of life. The 9/80 work week provides employees with an extra day off every other pay period, promoting work-life balance.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
• In-depth phone or video interview with the hiring manager
• On-site or virtual final interview with the hiring manager and other team members
• Background check and offer extension

Key Assessment Areas:

• Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Cultural fit and alignment with Thales' values
• Industry knowledge and market trends awareness
• Product marketing and management experience

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving abilities and experience with market analysis and competitive intelligence.
• Research Thales' company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment with the organization.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team dynamics, and growth opportunities.

ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, Market Analysis, Competitive Intelligence, Pricing Strategy, Customer Success, Digital Marketing, Communication Skills, Analytical Skills, Business Development, Innovation Management, Sales Support, Value Proposition, Project Management, Market Segmentation, ROI Analysis, Total Value of Operations

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's analytical skills, communication skills, and cultural fit. Preparation and research are key to success in the interview process.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
• Data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Project management tools (e.g., Asana, JIRA)

ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the team's preferences and the organization's standards. Familiarity with common marketing, data analysis, and project management tools is essential.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Customer Focus
• Integrity
• Excellence
• Creativity
• Empowerment

Work Style:

• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Data-driven and analytical
• Innovative and creative
• Adaptable and responsive to change
• Results-oriented and accountable

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you approach analyzing market trends and customer needs to develop a product vision and value proposition?
• Can you provide an example of a time when you successfully collaborated with a cross-functional team to execute a product marketing strategy?
• How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and competitive dynamics in your field?

ASSUMPTION: Thales values a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Candidates who align with these values and work styles will be a strong fit for the organization.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires a strong understanding of market trends, customer needs, and competitive dynamics, which can be challenging to stay on top of in a fast-paced innovation environment.
• The role may require travel up to 40% domestically and internationally, which can be demanding for some candidates.
• The role may require working outside core business hours to accommodate different time zones and customer needs.
• The role may require managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously, which can be challenging to balance effectively.

ASSUMPTION: The potential challenges associated with this role are outweighed by the opportunities for growth, innovation, and impact. Candidates who are adaptable, responsive to change, and results-oriented will be well-suited to this role.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Compared to other product marketing roles, this position places a stronger emphasis on market analysis, competitive intelligence, and pricing strategy.
• Compared to other roles within Thales, this position offers unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge innovation projects and drive product success in a dynamic and challenging work environment.
• Compared to other roles in the telecommunications, media, digital services, and/or inflight entertainment and communications field, this position offers a competitive salary range and comprehensive benefits package.

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities for growth, innovation, and impact compared to similar roles in the industry. Candidates who are seeking a challenging and dynamic work environment will find this role appealing.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a comprehensive market analysis and competitive intelligence report for a new product launch.
• Collaborating with the product delivery team to create a go-to-market plan that highlights the competitiveness and total value of operations of the product at completion.
• Acting as a thought leader at industry events, representing Thales as a subject matter expert and driving customer engagement and sales opportunities.

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects provide a snapshot of the types of initiatives the Product Marketing Manager may be involved in, highlighting the role's focus on market analysis, competitive intelligence, and driving product success.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• Can you describe the team structure and reporting relationships for this role?
• How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
• What are the key priorities for the first 90 days in this role?
• How does the company approach innovation and product development, and how does this role fit into that process?
• What are the growth opportunities for this role, and how does the company support career development for employees?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's culture and dynamics.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, focusing on market analysis, competitive intelligence, and product marketing.
• Prepare a cover letter that explains your interest in the role and how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the position.
• Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that focus on your problem-solving abilities and experience with market analysis and competitive intelligence.
• Research Thales' company culture and values to demonstrate your cultural fit and alignment with the organization.
• Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team dynamics, and growth opportunities.
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your continued interest in the role.

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