Types of Product managers: Many people just know about the term ‘Product Manager’, but what lies beneath it is unknown to most people, even including some from the same field. The Product Management area is full of roles, responsibilities, challenges, and goals, etc. There are even multiple types of Product Managers for the efficient working of the team.Â
If you aspire to become a product manager or you are already in the field of product management and wondering what to do next then the detailed discussion about the 18 types of Product Managers can give you clarity and direction in your career.Â
What is a Product Manager?
The term ‘Product Manager’ can have different meanings depending upon the context, organization, industry, level of experience, and the area of work. Some product managers write user stories, some focus more on growth, whereas others guide teams through AI projects. The role of the product manager depends completely on the product’s and the company’s vision.Â
A Product Manager also known as PM, is responsible for defining a product’s vision, handling stakeholders, prioritizing features, and ensuring the successful delivery of the result that is expected from them. A PM has to balance user needs, technical requirements, and business goals altogether.Â
But, all product managers do not perform the same tasks. The responsibilities of a PM depend on their experience, knowledge, level of work, and the company’s requirements. Some dig deep into data, while others work with Figma files, and some manage enterprise tools, etc.  There are many types of product managers based on their roles and responsibilities, we will know how you can discover good opportunities in any of these product manager roles.
Entry Level Product Managers
There are different types of product managers on the basis of their experience, work, etc. An entry-level Product Manager can be a fresher who is just starting his/her career, someone who is switching their career or any professional who is taking the first step in the product management journey.Â
1. Associate Product Manager (APM)
The role of an Associate Product Manager is an entry level role with minimal tasks and responsibilities. The main role of APMs is to assist in product development and execution of product strategies, take and analyse customer feedback, and collaborate with teams to enhance the product and deliver the best.
The average salary of an Associate Product Manager is around ₹8-12 Lakh/year.Â
Read More:Â Product Vision: How To Define Yours In 4 Steps?
2. Product Manager
A product manager has full ownership of the product. Their task is to constantly check the developments, launch, and make continuous improvements in the product. A product manager works along with the other team members and not above them.Â
A product manager is still an entry level role, and they must try to earn the trust of the team members to get things done in the best way possible. The average salary of a Product Manager is around ₹15-25 Lakh/year.
Types of Product Managers Specialization
The second step on the ladder of the Product Management journey is the specialised roles. These include specializations in technical domains or a focus on particular areas like product lifestyle, etc.Â
If you are interested in making your career in the field of Product Management and have a background in any of the fields like marketing, data science, or any tech area, then you will be highly welcomed by the hiring managers.Â
1. Technical Product Manager
Only a person who has a strong and deep knowledge of the technical background (like experience in software development or engineering) can become a Technical Product Manager.Â
Their role is to manage all the technical parts in the product management journey, which includes managing the complex backend systems, APIs, and data platforms. The average salary of a Technical Product Manager is around ₹18-30 Lakh/year.
2. Digital Product Manager
A digital product manager handles all the digitally aligned tasks, like dealing with software applications, online platforms, portals,and websites. They play a major role in discovering the right product at the right time.Â
A digital product manager has to make sure that the product vision is clearly defined, and they also have to focus on analysing consumer behaviour. The average salary of a Digital Product Manager is around ₹16-28 Lakh/year.
3. Growth Product Manager
The main aim of a growth product manager is profit maximisation and growth, including both the growth of the product and the money. They focus on improving the business and achieving higher market growth.Â
They often design and run a series of experiments to check which one works the best and drives more and more profit and success. The average salary of a Growth Product Manager is around ₹25-30 Lakh/year.
4. Data Product Manager
A data product manager focuses mainly on data management and data analysis. Their role is to manage data-driven products and features, which include AI models, performance analysis, etc.Â
If you are someone who loves to work with numbers, then becoming a data product manager could be the right choice for you. The average salary of a Data Product Manager is around ₹22-38 Lakh/year.
5. Product Marketing Manager
A product marketing manager is a person who bridges the gap between product development and product marketing. If you are a marketing professional thinking of entering into product management, then product marketing management can be a good option.Â
The role of PMM includes creating content, case studies, and a roadmap to make their product reach a wider audience. The average salary of a Product Marketing Manager is around ₹15-28 Lakh/year.
6. UX/Product Design Manager
The UX/Product design managers are responsible for designing the product, taking care of user experience, and ensuring that the product meets the user’s expectations.Â
This is done by conducting user research and by collaborating with product managers and engineers to integrate user-centered design into the product. The average salary of a UX/Product Design Manager is around ₹18-30 Lakh/year.
7. AI Product Manager
As the name suggests, AI Product Managers are the ones who specialise in products powered by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning. They are responsible for correctly integrating AI into the products, identifying opportunities and requirements for AI features, collaborating with engineers and scientists, etc.Â
Since Artificial Intelligence is taking off, the demand for AI product managers is also increasing. The average salary of an AI Product Manager is around ₹25-40 Lakh/year.
Leadership within Product Management
To climb the ladder of product management fast, you need to be experienced and skilled. The more experienced you become, the faster you will be able to step into a leadership role as a product manager.Â
A leader is expected to not just focus on growth but also to manage his/her team, mentor juniors and new joinees, along with focusing on providing the best product to the customers. Let us know more about the senior-level types of product managers.
1. Senior Product Manager
A senior product manager is expected to manage a group of products instead of managing just one. As a senior product manager, you will have to think about the long-term goals for your team and the organisation so that your teammates, stakeholders, and directors can trust you and get on board.Â
Although senior-level roles require years of experience, some of the people transitioning from other areas also join for this role. The average salary of a Senior Product Manager is around ₹30-40 Lakh/year.
2. Staff Product Manager
Staff Product Managers are the ones who contribute to the product management strategy and mentorship within the teams. They are not the team leaders, but they help in making major decisions, including the ones related to money investment, risks, etc.Â
It makes Staff Product Managers an important part of the product team. The average salary of a Staff Product Manager is around ₹35-50 Lakh/year.
3. Product Lead
When companies launch something new, they require a person who is trustworthy and experienced. That’s when product leads are in high demand. They are especially responsible when a product is launched by a company.Â
Their main goal is that the product is delivered on time and by being cost cost-efficient. The average salary of a Product Lead is around ₹40-60 Lakh/year.
4. Group Product Manager
Group Product Manager is one level above the Product Lead. They are one of the most influential types of product managers. They have leadership roles and responsibilities of looking after the whole product line. A group product manager is mostly responsible for managing more than one team at a time. The average salary of a Group Product Manager is around ₹40-60 Lakh/year.
5. Director of Product Management
Directors of Product Management are the high-level executives who look after all the product management activities and the product performance. They even keep a check on the work of senior product managers and the teams they lead. They play one of the most important role in all other types of product managers monitoring their product teams and ensuring objectives are met.
The Director of Product Management is like the head responsible for the growth of the product as well as the organization. The average salary of a Director of Product Management is around ₹50-70 Lakh/year.
6. Principal Product Manager
Principal Product Managers are responsible for working on the most complicated products of the company. They are highly experienced and skilled professionals who focus on strategic planning and execution.Â
They even mentor other product managers to shape a better future for the company. The average salary of a Principal Product Manager is around ₹60-85 Lakh/year.
Executive Level Product Managers
In product management, the most experienced, skilled, and people with high salary packages come under the category of executive-level product managers. Since they are the seniors, they have more responsibilities and accountability.Â
They are like the leaders who guide and mentor other product managers and manage everything that goes on in an organization. From product development planning to execution, executive-level managers have a say at every step. Let us know more about these types of product managers below.
1. Head of Product or Vice President of Product
The Head of Product or VP of Product is a senior executive whose role is to look at the entire product management function. They are responsible for ensuring that teams work together seamlessly and deliver results that align with the company’s business objectives.Â
The average salary of a Head of Product or VP of Product Manager is around ₹80 Lakh-1.2 crore/year.
2. Senior Vice President (SVP) of Product
The Senior Vice President plays a vital role in product management. Their main role is to set strategic priorities for the product and the business. A senior vice president has to ensure that all of the product teams are on the same page and are working together for the smooth functioning and hassle-free achievement of goals.Â
The average salary of a Senior Vice President is around ₹1.2 crore-1.5 Crore/year.
3. Chief Product Officer (CPO)
The Chief Product Officer is the most senior product executive in any company. They have to focus on many other areas rather than just formulating strategies. Your job as a CPO will include working closely with the CEO and other senior executives to ensure that the strategies align with the product and the organisation’s goals.Â
CPOs also have a responsibility to manage the team and take the company forward. The average salary of a Chief Product Officer is around ₹1.5-2.5 Crore/year.
Also Read:
- Product Manager vs Project Manager: What Is the Difference?
- Must-Have Product Manager Tools to Drive Project Success
- What Is a Certified Product Manager (and How Do I Become One)
- API for Product Managers – Complete Guide
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Types of Product Managers FAQs
Q1. What is the difference between a product manager and a project manager?
Ans: A product manager focuses on what to build, why to build, defining the product vision, creating a roadmap, etc., whereas a project manager focuses on how and when the product will be delivered on time within budget.
Q2. Will I need a Technical background to become a Product Manager
Ans: No, many people from marketing, design, or even business backgrounds also become product managers, but you need to know about tech to become a technical or digital product manager.
Q3. What specialisations exist in product management?
Ans: Some of the most common specializations in product management include Technical Product Manager, Digital Product Manager, Growth Product Manager, Data Product Manager, Fintech Product Manager, etc.
Q4. Which industries hire the most Product Managers?
Ans: Industries like Tech, E-Commerce, EdTech, and Healthcare often hire most of the product managers.
Q5. What are the types of product managers?
Ans: There are many roles in the product manager domain, such as Technical Manager, Growth Product Manager, UX/Product design manager, AI product manager, Product Lead, and more
