PM career paths

Product management offers diverse career trajectories, both within the discipline and as a foundation for broader leadership roles. The traditional PM career path typically starts as an Associate Product Manager, progressing to Product Manager and then Senior Product Manager. For those interested in developing people management skills, there may be an opportunity to be a Group Product

Manager, responsible for a broader area of the product experience and managing more junior PMs. With experience, opportunities emerge for Director or VP of Product positions, culminating in Chief Product Officer roles for those who excel. Each advancement brings greater strategic influence and leadership responsibility.

Many PMs choose to specialize rather than climb the ladder. Some focus on specific domains like fintech, healthcare, or B2B, becoming industry experts. Others develop expertise in particular product types such as mobile apps, enterprise software, or platforms. Functional specialization in areas like growth, monetization, or technical infrastructure provides another path.

Product management serves as an excellent springboard to broader opportunities. The cross-functional leadership experience prepares PMs well for general management roles. Many successful entrepreneurs and CEOs began as product managers, applying their experience balancing business viability with user needs to build new ventures.