F

Senior Product Marketing Manager

F5
Full-time
On-site
San Jose, California, United States
πŸ“¦ Product Marketing

πŸ“Œ Core Information

πŸ”Ή Job Title: Senior Product Marketing Manager

πŸ”Ή Company: F5

πŸ”Ή Location: San Jose, Seattle, Liberty Lake

πŸ”Ή Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid

πŸ”Ή Category: IT Services and IT Consulting

πŸ”Ή Date Posted: 2025-07-30

πŸ”Ή Experience Level: 6+ years

πŸ”Ή Remote Status: On-site (San Jose, Seattle, Liberty Lake)

πŸš€ Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

  • Developing product messaging and positioning for web application firewalls (WAF)
  • Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create effective go-to-market strategies
  • Enabling sales teams with product knowledge and resources
  • Conducting competitive analysis and pricing strategies
  • Engaging with customers, partners, and industry press and analysts

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across teams.

πŸ“‹ Key Responsibilities

βœ… Develop compelling product messaging and positioning for F5's web application firewall products

βœ… Serve as the strategic voice of the customer and market, identifying key business challenges and developing actionable paths to solve them

βœ… Partner closely with Product Management on all aspects regarding WAF and WAF-related products, including product features, use cases, product pricing models and strategies, and competitive analysis and pricing

βœ… Craft high-impact presentations and product collateral such as sales, customer, and analyst presentations, product overviews and data sheets, FAQs, briefs, and webinars that communicate a clear and powerful story

βœ… Lead competitive intelligence efforts, monitor trends, research and analyze competitors and their products, produce competitive materials including competitive battlecards, competitive presentation materials, and rapid responses, and leverage this competitive knowledge to make informed recommendations on packaging, positioning, and pricing

βœ… Develop and implement go-to-market (GTM) strategies and plans through deep understanding of customer needs and use cases, market dynamics, and the competitive landscape, coordinating with cross-functional teams including Corporate Marketing, Sales/Channel Readiness, and Business Development teams

βœ… Enable Sales and Channel Partner teams by creating and communicating the value proposition of F5 web application firewalls and developing all necessary sales tools to support the sales motion of WAF and WAF-related products

βœ… Support product and services launches by developing product marketing strategy launch plans for new products and releases, and managing the cross-functional implementation of those plans

βœ… Build and leverage market intelligence by understanding new and emerging F5 buyers, how they buy and their buying criteria, and by understanding the competition and how to position successfully

βœ… Continuously evaluate strategy using customer and market data, and pivot where necessary

βœ… Contribute to integrated marketing efforts by delivering product content and participating in activities for the marketing campaigns and programs that drive F5 product demand

βœ… Lead engagements with Sales and Channel teams, customers, and partners via webinars, direct meetings, marketing communications, and industry events

βœ… Present marketing strategies and plans to senior and executive level management

βœ… Lead engagements with industry press and trade analysts

βœ… Lead and mentor teammates on the Product Marketing team

βœ… Responsible for upholding F5’s Business Code of Ethics and for promptly reporting violations of the Code or other company policies

βœ… Champion a business-first mindset, always aligning marketing efforts with product adoption and revenue growth goals

βœ… Own your role: take initiative, bring solutions, and hold yourself to a high standard of accountability

βœ… Perform other related duties as assigned.

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of web application firewalls, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: BA/BS degree required. MBA Preferred

Experience: 6+ years of experience in security product marketing, product management, technical marketing, or equivalent

Required Skills:

  • Significant relevant experience in web application firewalls (WAF) and the WAF market
  • Experience with WAF-related products and in the security market
  • Experience working in a global role and understanding marketing differences across different regions
  • Exceptional written and oral communication skills including in creating and delivering public presentations
  • Demonstrated success in working effectively across teams and organizations in a global and often virtual work environment, building trust across Sales, Product, and Marketing teams
  • Knowledge of enterprise marketing and sales processes
  • Ability to and experience in effectively leadership of high visibility project initiatives
  • Substantial experience in competitive positioning, pricing, and go-to-market strategy
  • Strong organizational, analytical and execution skills
  • Comfortable navigating ambiguity and making quick, accurate, confident decisions
  • A proactive problem-solver who can turn insights into action, fast
  • Understanding of cloud, SaaS, and/or container-based technologies is a plus

Preferred Skills:

  • Experience with F5 products or services
  • Familiarity with the IT Services and IT Consulting industry

ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in product marketing or management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives.

πŸ’° Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $150,357 - $225,535 per year

Benefits:

  • Incentive Compensation
  • Bonus
  • Restricted Stock Units
  • Benefits

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for the role to work outside normal working hours periodically or working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends) up to 20% of the time

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on industry standards for a Senior Product Marketing Manager role with 6+ years of experience in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry. The benefits package is competitive and includes various benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and other perks.

πŸ“Œ Applicant Insights

πŸ” Company Context

Industry: F5 operates in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry, providing application delivery and security solutions to help organizations deliver and secure every app.

Company Size: F5 is a mid-sized company with 5,001-10,000 employees globally

Founded: F5 was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington

Company Description:

  • F5 is the global leader that delivers and secures every app. Backed by three decades of expertise, F5 has built the industry’s premier platformβ€”F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)β€”to deliver and secure every app, every API, anywhere: on-premises, in the cloud, at the edge, and across hybrid, multicloud environments.
  • F5 is committed to innovating and partnering with the world’s largest and most advanced organizations to deliver fast, available, and secure digital experiences.
  • Together, F5 helps each other thrive and bring a better digital world to life.

Company Specialties:

  • Application Delivery
  • Web Acceleration
  • Security
  • Load-balancing
  • WAN Optimization
  • High Availability
  • SSL VPN
  • Network Traffic Management
  • Network Hardware
  • Cybersecurity
  • DDoS Protection
  • Cloud Computing
  • Application Availability
  • WAF
  • Application Security
  • Identity & Access Management

Company Website: http://www.f5.com

ASSUMPTION: F5 is a well-established company with a strong reputation in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry. It offers a comprehensive range of products and services to help organizations deliver and secure their applications.

πŸ“Š Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring significant experience and expertise in product marketing, particularly in the web application firewall (WAF) market.

Reporting Structure: The Senior Product Marketing Manager will report directly to the Vice President of Product Marketing.

Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with an expected office presence of 30% of the time. The role may require travel up to 20% of the time.

Growth Opportunities:

  • Potential career progression into a leadership role within the Product Marketing team or other related departments
  • Opportunities to work on high-impact projects and initiatives that drive business growth
  • Chance to gain experience in a global role and understand marketing differences across different regions

ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, with the potential to advance into leadership positions and gain valuable experience working on high-impact projects.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: F5's offices are modern, collaborative workspaces with a mix of open and private work areas.

Office Location(s): San Jose, Seattle, Liberty Lake

Geographic Context:

  • San Jose, California: Known for its tech industry and Silicon Valley culture
  • Seattle, Washington: Home to a thriving tech scene and a vibrant urban environment
  • Liberty Lake, Washington: A smaller city with a close-knit community and a lower cost of living compared to Seattle

Work Schedule: The work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, with flexibility for the role to work outside normal working hours periodically or working outside normal working hours (evenings and weekends) up to 20% of the time.

ASSUMPTION: F5's offices provide a modern, collaborative work environment, with each location offering its unique cultural and geographic advantages. The work schedule is flexible to accommodate the needs of the role and the individual employee.

πŸ’Ό Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

  • Online application submission
  • Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
  • On-site or virtual interview with the Product Marketing team
  • Final interview with the Vice President of Product Marketing
  • Background check and offer

Key Assessment Areas:

  • Product marketing experience and expertise
  • Communication skills, both written and verbal
  • Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities
  • Cross-functional collaboration and leadership skills
  • Understanding of the web application firewall (WAF) market and competitive landscape

Application Tips:

  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
  • Prepare for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and strategic mindset
  • Research F5's products, services, and company culture to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the organization
  • Be ready to discuss your experience with web application firewalls and the WAF market

ATS Keywords: Web Application Firewall, Product Marketing, Competitive Analysis, Go-To-Market Strategy, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Sales Enablement, Product Launch, Market Intelligence, Customer Engagement, Leadership, Communication, Strategic Thinking, Problem Solving, Analytical Skills, Cloud Technologies

ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their relevant experience and skills throughout the interview process.

πŸ› οΈ Tools & Technologies

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • Marketing automation tools (e.g., Marketo, Pardot)
  • Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Jira)
  • Presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides)
  • Web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics)
  • Competitive intelligence tools (e.g., SimilarWeb, BuiltWith)

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are commonly used in product marketing roles and are essential for success in this role. Candidates should be proficient in these tools and technologies.

πŸ‘” Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

  • Customer Obsessed
  • Innovative
  • Trustworthy
  • Inclusive
  • One F5

Work Style:

  • Collaborative and cross-functional
  • Data-driven and analytical
  • Agile and adaptable
  • Results-oriented and accountable
  • Customer-focused and customer-centric

Self-Assessment Questions:

  • How do you align with F5's company values, particularly 'Customer Obsessed' and 'Innovative'?
  • How do you approach working collaboratively and cross-functionally in a global and often virtual work environment?
  • How do you ensure that your work is data-driven and analytical, and how do you use this information to drive business decisions?
  • How do you adapt to change and uncertainty in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment?
  • How do you prioritize customer needs and ensure that your work is customer-focused and customer-centric?

ASSUMPTION: F5 values a strong cultural fit with its employees, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their alignment with the company's values and work style.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

  • Managing multiple stakeholders and balancing competing priorities
  • Keeping up with the fast-paced and ever-evolving web application firewall (WAF) market
  • Working effectively in a global role and understanding marketing differences across different regions
  • Navigating ambiguity and making quick, accurate, confident decisions
  • Balancing strategic thinking with tactical execution

ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges that require a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively across teams. Candidates should be prepared to address these challenges and demonstrate their ability to succeed in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.

πŸ“ˆ Similar Roles Comparison

  • Compared to other senior product marketing roles, this role requires a deeper understanding of the web application firewall (WAF) market and competitive landscape
  • F5's global presence and customer base offer unique opportunities for candidates with experience working in a global role and understanding marketing differences across different regions
  • Career progression in this role may differ from other product marketing roles, with potential opportunities to advance into leadership positions within the Product Marketing team or other related departments

ASSUMPTION: This role offers unique opportunities and challenges compared to other senior product marketing roles. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their relevant experience and how it translates to this specific role.

πŸ“ Sample Projects

  • Developing a comprehensive competitive analysis and pricing strategy for F5's web application firewall products
  • Creating a go-to-market (GTM) strategy and launch plan for a new WAF product or feature
  • Conducting customer interviews and market research to inform product positioning and messaging
  • Building and delivering a high-impact presentation to senior leadership on the state of the WAF market and F5's competitive position

ASSUMPTION: These sample projects are representative of the types of initiatives a Senior Product Marketing Manager might work on at F5. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they have approached them in the past.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

  • Can you describe the current state of the web application firewall (WAF) market and how F5 is positioned within it?
  • How does F5 approach competitive analysis and pricing strategy for its WAF products?
  • What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
  • How does F5 support the professional development and growth of its product marketing team members?
  • What is the work environment like at F5, and how does the company support work-life balance for its employees?

ASSUMPTION: These key questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the work environment. Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful and insightful questions throughout the interview process.

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 for behavioral and situational interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, leadership abilities, and strategic mindset
  • Research F5's products, services, and company culture to demonstrate your interest and understanding of the organization
  • Be ready to discuss your experience with web application firewalls and the WAF market
  • Follow up with the hiring manager one week after your final interview to inquire about the status of your application

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