Product Manager, Maritime

The (Senior) Product Manager, Maritime actively participates in executing the SES’s product strategy for Maritime – primarily for Cruise & Commercial Shipping and ensures its efficient and effective implementation. Requires strong industry experience in delivering Maritime connectivity solutions on a global scale. Takes critical business decisions through the provision of robust expert analysis and industry thought leadership. Leading a cross functional and indirect team to define, develop and launch next generation services for our Cruise & Commercial Shipping segment specific markets. This will be achieved by having in-depth understanding of the segment customers and their needs, owning the market segment strategy and strategic partnerships. 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Lead Market Segment development in terms of strategy, defines priority markets, and addressable customer segments, define potential market opportunities and solution offerings, strategic alliances and go-to-market approach.
• Own the Product and Pricing Strategy for the Maritime Segment – Cruise & Commercial Shipping – working along with Sales and Commercial Operations.
• Develop the Maritime Segment – Cruise & Commercial Shipping – products & services roadmap and manage products throughout the lifecycle.
• Demonstrate experience in leading direct and indirect go-to-market strategies and solutions, including the development of channel partner programs, while simultaneously building strategies to sell solutions directly to Cruise & Commercial Shipping customers. 
• Business Development for new Maritime market segments, in relation to new use cases and customers, potential partnerships and strategic alliances.
• Build investment cases for new developments, partnerships and (in)organic growth.
• Responsible for defining the Maritime Segment go-to-market strategy to address target customers in terms of product mix, channel strategy, communication and leveraging market intelligence data.
• Provide in-depth thought leadership, segment best practice and future strategy evolution on both technical and business levels, based on deep understanding of customers, technologies and alliances across the Maritime segment, specifically Cruise & Commercial Shipping. 
• Build, appraise, develop and manage technical capabilities of the team, and the broader SES business, to ensure SES Networks can execute with thought leadership into its chosen market segments.
• Lead by example in organization ethics and morals and takes strong action against non-adherence to the SES Way of Working, ethics and codes.
• Maintain C-level conversations and relationships with leaders in the Maritime Segment – Cruise & Commercial Shipping.
• Speak at Industry events 
   

COMPETENCIES

• Ability to execute long-term strategy via the definition and delivery of business plans, and manage/empower the necessary resources, including the coordination of homogenous teams. Establishes and delivers functional objectives.
• Teamwork, ability to take responsibility for delivering projects with team members from diverse areas of the business and resolving conflicts which arise from differing goals.
• Relationship management, possesses the capacity to monitor current service levels to ensure agreed standards are consistently delivered. Identifies trends and forecasts future customer needs, recommends and implements changes to continually improve the customer offering. Has the capability to make a real difference to SES business. Is attuned to the needs of SES business and where its markets are heading.
• Communication and influencing, can compile, interpret and present information on complex and important issues. Regularly negotiates, persuades and influences people in contentious / locally sensitive situations, anticipating and planning for objections and how to overcome them. Chairs or facilitates formal management meetings on a regular basis. Works openly and supportively with one another solving problems and sharing ideas
• Detailed orientated in following up with individual and team accountability to deliver results and close out actions across teams on-time
• Change and innovation, the ability to proactively identify and promote the need for change, overcome resistance and provide support to others where necessary to realize the benefits. Has the capability to use each opportunity to further develop the different technology aspects; perseverance to get the job done
• Accountability and decision making, the ability to be responsible for evaluating options and presenting recommendations on initiatives which will have a significant contribution to business success and are likely to involve balancing risk with opportunity Illustrates effective negotiation skills with strong commercial and analytical abilities; illustrates outstanding business judgment
• Illustrates strategic vision, has the judgment and the confidence necessary to make decisions that will have long terms implications for the business
• Has excellent Maritime market sense – particularly Cruise & Commercial Shipping markets –, understanding customers, competitors, and market trends; is a proven and accomplished market strategist who is operationally oriented and enjoys customer and prospect interaction
• Eager to stay up to date on industry / business trends and developments; maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments
• Demonstrates effective intercultural awareness

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Must have a Bachelor’s degree (Masters degree preferred) in business or technology, or equivalent demonstrable industry experience.
• Must have led/provided thought leadership for at least 10-15 years in multinational organizations, covering the strategic, technical, commercial and marketing aspects
• Possesses extensive and relevant experience in the Maritime, Cruise and/or Commercial Shipping industry, including a known and credible reputation; has deep knowledge of the Maritime connectivity solutions as well as astute business acumen
• Shows strong presentation skills; possesses the ability to produce and present in an inspiring manner to a variety of internal and external audiences
• Previous responsibility for managing and executing against a P&L Budget is an advantage.
• Has the ability to undertake international travel, up to 30% of time.