π Core Information
πΉ Job Title: Staff Product Marketing Manager - Platform
πΉ Company: Samsara
πΉ Location: San Francisco, CA
πΉ Job Type: Full-time, Remote OK
πΉ Category: Marketing
πΉ Date Posted: April 4, 2025
πΉ Experience Level: 5-10 years
πΉ Remote Status: Remote (US)
π Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Owning Samsaraβs overall narrative for data, automation, and AI offerings
- Building productive relationships with CIOs and serving as a go-to expert
- Supporting sales at the highest level and driving content and event strategy
- Partnering cross-functionally to ensure messaging reflects the roadmap and aligns with field enablement
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong balance of technical expertise and exceptional communication skills to effectively engage CIOs and drive strategic initiatives.
π Key Responsibilities
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Own Samsaraβs overall narrative for our data, automation, and AI offering, ensuring it reflects our strategic direction, resonates with CIOsβ priorities, and unifies our platform vision
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Serve as Samsaraβs CIO expert by building deep, trust-based relationships with CIOs, regularly meeting with them, and understanding their evaluation criteria for technology decisions
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Support sales at the highest level by joining CIO-level sales conversations as a technical and strategic partner, answering second- and third-order questions, and providing a compelling articulation of our value
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Drive content and event strategy by partnering with our VP of Product to develop the overall experience for CIOs and developers at flagship events like Beyond, shaping breakouts for platform, developer tracks, or tailored executive experiences, and driving execution across teams
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Collaborate with Product, Engineering, and Sales Engineering to ensure messaging reflects the roadmap, is technically sound, and aligns with field enablement
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Lead strategic workstreams by owning and executing high-leverage projects that cut across technical depth and strategic influence, such as platform positioning, API strategy, developer engagement, and competitive differentiation
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of autonomy and requires strong project management skills to drive multiple strategic initiatives to completion.
π― Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelorβs degree in a technical field (CS, Engineering, or similar); advanced degree a plus
Experience: 7+ years in Product Marketing, Solutions Engineering, or Developer Marketing roles, ideally in a deeply technical product or platform environment
Required Skills:
- Proven experience engaging executive buyers, particularly CIOs or other technical decision-makers
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skillsβable to distill complex ideas into strategic narratives
- Experience owning cross-functional workstreams and driving them to completion
Preferred Skills:
- Ability to sell technical value and answer technical questions with CIOs
- Strategic mind and narrative chopsβable to craft messaging thatβs insightful, bold, and aligned with our business goals
- Energized by executive conversations and relationship-building
- Thrive in ambiguity and can lead without needing a playbookβself-directed, fast-moving, and focused on outcomes
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in B2B enterprise software or SaaS, and a strong understanding of IoT or data platforms, will be particularly well-suited to this role.
π° Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $125,160 - $223,500 USD per year (based on industry standards for the role, experience level, and location)
Benefits:
- Health benefits
- Employee-led remote and flexible working
- Samsara for Good charity fund
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles in the San Francisco Bay Area. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including the candidateβs city of residence, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
π Applicant Insights
π Company Context
Industry: Software Development, specifically IoT and data platforms for physical operations
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees (mid-sized enterprise)
Founded: 2015, with a mission to increase the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the operations that power the global economy
Company Description:
- Pioneer of the Connected Operationsβ’ Cloud, enabling organizations to harness IoT data for actionable insights and improved operations
- Trusted by tens of thousands of customers across North America and Europe, including leading organizations in construction, transportation, field services, manufacturing, retail, logistics, and public sector
- Publicly traded company (NYSE: IOT) with a strong focus on digital transformation and innovation
Company Specialties:
- IoT and data platform development
- Product marketing and sales enablement
- Customer success and support
Company Website: http://www.samsara.com
ASSUMPTION: Samsaraβs focus on IoT and data platforms for physical operations makes it an attractive opportunity for candidates interested in the intersection of technology and real-world applications.
π Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and career development
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the VP of Product Marketing and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, and Sales
Work Arrangement: Remote (US), with opportunities for in-person collaboration at events and with key stakeholders
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to advance to a leadership role within the Product Marketing organization
- Broad exposure to various aspects of the business, enabling a well-rounded understanding of the companyβs operations and strategy
- Opportunities to work on high-impact projects that drive significant business value
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic thinking, technical depth, and executive engagement, providing a strong foundation for career growth within Samsara.
π Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (San Francisco headquarters with remote work options)
Office Location(s): 1 De Haro St, San Francisco, CA 94107
Geographic Context:
- San Francisco is a major tech hub with a vibrant startup ecosystem and numerous networking opportunities
- The city is known for its diverse culture, food scene, and outdoor activities, offering a high quality of life for residents
- Samsaraβs office is conveniently located in the Mission Bay neighborhood, close to public transportation and amenities
Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours/week), with flexible hours and remote work options
ASSUMPTION: While the role is remote (US), being close to the San Francisco headquarters or within a specific geographic area may be important to facilitate collaboration, access to resources, or alignment with service regions.
πΌ Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- Technical assessment or case study review
- On-site or virtual interview with the hiring manager and cross-functional stakeholders
- Final round with senior leadership
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise and understanding of IoT and data platforms
- Strategic thinking and ability to develop compelling narratives
- Executive presence and comfort engaging with CIO-level stakeholders
- Project management and cross-functional collaboration skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience engaging executive buyers and driving strategic initiatives
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your ability to thrive in ambiguity, lead without a playbook, and drive outcomes
- Research Samsaraβs industry, competitors, and customers to demonstrate your understanding of the companyβs unique value proposition
- Practice your elevator pitch for explaining Samsaraβs overall narrative for data, automation, and AI offerings in a concise and compelling way
ATS Keywords: Product Marketing, Solutions Engineering, Developer Marketing, CIO, executive engagement, strategic narrative, data platform, automation, AI, cross-functional collaboration, project management
ASSUMPTION: Samsaraβs hiring process is designed to assess candidatesβ technical expertise, strategic thinking, and cultural fit, with a focus on finding the best possible match for the role and the company.
π οΈ Tools & Technologies
- Salesforce
- Marketo
- Google Workspace (G Suite)
- Asana
- Slack
ASSUMPTION: Samsara uses a variety of tools and technologies to support its marketing, sales, and operations. Familiarity with these tools is not required but may be beneficial.
π Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Safety first
- Focus on customers
- Operational excellence
- Inventive and scrappy
- One team, one dream
Work Style:
- Data-driven and analytical
- Collaborative and cross-functional
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Results-oriented and focused on impact
- Empowered and autonomous, with a strong sense of ownership
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where youβre empowered to drive strategic initiatives with minimal guidance?
- Are you comfortable engaging with CIO-level stakeholders and developing compelling narratives that resonate with their priorities?
- Do you have a strong understanding of IoT and data platforms, and the ability to sell technical value to executive buyers?
ASSUMPTION: Samsaraβs culture values autonomy, collaboration, and a strong focus on results. Candidates who are self-directed, strategic thinkers, and comfortable working in a dynamic environment will thrive in this role.
β οΈ Potential Challenges
- Balancing technical depth with strategic breadth, as this role requires expertise in both areas
- Managing multiple workstreams and priorities, as this role involves leading strategic initiatives across various aspects of the business
- Adapting to a fast-paced, dynamic environment, as Samsara continues to grow and evolve
- Building and maintaining productive relationships with CIOs, as this role requires regular engagement with executive stakeholders
- Navigating a mid-sized enterprise, as Samsara has a complex organizational structure and numerous teams to collaborate with
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are inherent to a role that combines strategic thinking, technical depth, and executive engagement within a mid-sized enterprise. Successful candidates will be able to thrive in this dynamic environment and leverage these challenges as opportunities for growth.
π Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional product marketing roles, this position requires a strong technical background and the ability to engage with CIO-level stakeholders
- Samsaraβs focus on IoT and data platforms for physical operations sets it apart from other enterprise software or SaaS companies
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a leadership position within the Product Marketing organization or transitioning to a related function, such as Sales or Customer Success
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and executive engagement, making it an attractive opportunity for candidates interested in the intersection of technology and real-world applications.
π Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive narrative for Samsaraβs data, automation, and AI offerings that resonates with CIOs and unifies the platform vision
- Creating a strategic framework for engaging CIOs and understanding their evaluation criteria for technology decisions
- Partnering with the VP of Product to shape breakouts for platform, developer tracks, or tailored executive experiences at flagship events like Beyond
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure messaging reflects the roadmap, is technically sound, and aligns with field enablement
ASSUMPTION: These projects are representative of the strategic initiatives and cross-functional collaborations required for this role. Successful candidates will be able to drive these projects to completion and deliver meaningful business impact.
β Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the broader product marketing strategy for Samsara, and how will my work contribute to the companyβs long-term goals?
- What are the key priorities for the first 30, 60, and 90 days in this role, and how can I best prepare to make an impact?
- How does Samsara support the professional development and career growth of its product marketing team members?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the company in the next 1-2 years, and how can this role help address them?
- How does Samsara approach collaboration and information sharing across its various teams and functions, and what tools does it use to facilitate this?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help candidates better understand the role, the company, and the opportunities for growth and impact. Asking thoughtful questions demonstrates your interest in the position and your commitment to success.
π Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link: https://www.samsara.com/company/careers/roles/6748981?gh_jid=6748981
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your experience engaging executive buyers and driving strategic initiatives
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your ability to thrive in ambiguity, lead without a playbook, and drive outcomes
- Research Samsaraβs industry, competitors, and customers to demonstrate your understanding of the companyβs unique value proposition
- Practice your elevator pitch for explaining Samsaraβs overall narrative for data, automation, and AI offerings in a concise and compelling way
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to express your interest and reiterate your qualifications
β οΈ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.