Senior Digital Product Line Manager

Job Description

Thales people architect solutions that enable two-thirds of planes to take off and land safely. We create in-flight entertainment systems that engross 50 million fliers every year and we develop the avionics that control the world’s largest commercial aircrafts. Our simulators train the next generation of pilots for fighter jets, transporters and search and rescue helicopters. And, together, each and every member of our aerospace team makes a difference.

TOGETHER WE MAKE THE BIG AMBITIONS OF TOMORROW HAPPEN TODAY

We are currently looking for a Senior Digital Product Line Manager to join Thales in Irvine, CA. The Senior Digital Product Line Manager will assist the Thales InFlyt Entertainment and Connectivity Business build a strong Product Policy. To be successful in the IFEC Business, strong Product Policy is of paramount importance:

• Go-to-Market requires good anticipation (development timeline, offerability process induced delays) while the Market requires fast pace evolution, in-sync with the Consumer market technology and behaviors trends
• Highly Competitive Market requires re-use and differentiators
• Limited resources (funding, human) require arbitration in the development to be launched.

It is the responsibility of the Product Policy organization to properly address these requirements. Failure to deliver could dramatically impact our Business position.

The purpose of this role is to develop, launch, and manage the InFlyt360 digital solution throughout its entire product life cycle. InFlyt360’s new digital product line, is comprised of various digital services and applications that will bring NextGen solutions to Thales’ end user, the airline customers.

Thales’ Product Policy requires the creation of a competitive strategy, a solid roadmap for the product line and the management of the overall product lifecycle. This requires close cooperation among different functions and levels in the organization such as marketing, engineering, sales and bids, program management and finance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Define Digital strategy & meet corresponding revenue targets
• Define Digital Product Roadmap for passenger and crew facing applications
• Ability to define business requirements for digital products into user stories and product requirements documentation and to obtaining the necessary project funding for project execution.
• Responsible for the Solution Business Plan
• Responsible for the Solution strategy and roadmap – and ensure alignment with market and customer expectations as well as the allocated MYB budget
• Manage priorities against budget
• Responsible for the overall solution Value Proposition
• Responsible for the bid strategy (including customer facing during sales process)
• Help to develop the Sales Collateral of the Solution (including demo definition, etc.) with the support of the Marketing Team
• Responsible for management of the Life Cycle of the various InFlyt360products’
• Drive profitability by ensuring that the products will be developed at the targeted costs and quality levels, by working closely with the Operations, Project Managers, Digital Competence Center and Engineering department
• Formally accept Solutions from Engineering and Digital Competence Center teams (“PLM-FSAT”).
• Manages relationship with Strategic Partners related to specific Services
• Represent the business line in front of customers in bid and program reviews as needed, to contribute to Thales IFE’s growth and customer satisfaction
• Contract with and maintain productive relationships with key suppliers and partners
• Work productively and collaboratively within the Thales USA and the Thales Group context

Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or computer science or a related field.
• 5+ years of Product Management experience in technology/internet companies.
• 5+ years of digital experience with a track record of launching successful customer facing products and features
• Experience with digital travel and/or transport space
• Experience taking digital products / apps from concept to delivery
• Experience working with engineering teams
• Experience working with UI/UX teams
• Experience clearly demonstrating customer value and ROI for proposed products
• Experience driving a product roadmap, leveraging data and analytics, to ensure sophisticated customer engagement
• Experiences with businesses that rely on real-time data and analytics to make operational and commercial decisions.
• Experience utilizing technology as a business enabler and value creator.
• Proven experience developing value-based pricing models, digital service products and business models
• Experience with Products (versus Bespoke solutions) as well as Customer interface

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in aerospace industry
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to persuade and excite executives, colleagues and customers on merits of our products and strategies.
• Excellent financial and business acumen
• Ability to think strategically and creatively while also managing the details and driving tactical execution
• Ready to challenge the status-quo, and drive innovative ideas.

Are you ready to be part a part of something big? If your skills, experience and attitude are a match and you’re looking for an exciting challenge, please apply now using the link below and we will be in touch.

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!

Thales champions inclusion and we believe diversity strengthens the fabric of our culture. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer/AA/Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled.