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Product Development Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Heart Aerospace

Business Development Lead

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$170K - $220K/yr

These products reflect the same philosophy as our aircraft: software-defined, and designed for performance, reliability, and cost. Your mission : We are seeking a Business Development Lead ...

SHRM

Lead, Membership Product Development

Alexandria, VA · Hybrid

$122K - $152K/yr

OverviewThe Lead, Membership Product Development is on a team that is responsible for the development of membership products, benefits and features that advance the mission and strategic goals of ...

shrm

Lead, Membership Product Development

Alexandria, VA · Hybrid

$100K - $120K/yr

Summary The Lead, Membership Product Development is on a team that is responsible for the development of membership products, benefits and features that advance the mission and strategic goals of ...

Novonesis

$120K - $130K/yr

The Role & Your Impact As a Product Development Clinical Lead , you will drive the clinical rationale behind new product concepts, ensuring scientific integrity from ideation through development. In ...

Fenner

Sr. Product Development Engineer

Lititz, PA · On-site

Lead or support product development activities across concept generation, prototyping, testing, and design refinement. * Create and maintain 3D CAD models, detailed engineering drawings, and product ...

Axis

Sales Development Lead

Chelmsford, MA · Hybrid

$100K - $110K/yr

Conduct regular coaching and training sessions to enhance the skills and productivity of the Sales Development team. * Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in sales development, lead ...

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Product Development Lead information

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$42.5K

$127K

$144.5K

How much do product development lead jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for product development lead in the United States is $126,987.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,500.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How does a Product Development Lead typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a product lifecycle?

A Product Development Lead works closely with cross-functional teams such as engineering, design, marketing, and sales throughout the product lifecycle. They facilitate communication between stakeholders to ensure project alignment, prioritize features based on customer needs, and help resolve any roadblocks that arise. Regular meetings and agile ceremonies are common, allowing the Lead to coordinate timelines, gather feedback, and ensure that each department’s contributions are integrated effectively into the final product. This collaborative approach ensures that products are delivered on time, meet market demands, and support the organization's strategic goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Product Development Lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Product Development Lead, you need expertise in product lifecycle management, market research, and cross-functional leadership, often backed by a degree in engineering, business, or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Agile project management software, prototyping platforms, and data analytics systems is typically required. Outstanding communication, creative problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills make candidates stand out in this role. These competencies ensure products meet market needs, are delivered on time, and foster collaboration among diverse teams for successful innovation.

What does a Product Development Lead do?

A Product Development Lead oversees the creation and improvement of products from concept to launch. They coordinate cross-functional teams, manage timelines, ensure product requirements are met, and align development efforts with business goals. This role requires strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of market trends and customer needs. The Product Development Lead is also responsible for communicating progress to stakeholders and adapting strategies based on feedback and results.

What is the difference between Product Development Lead vs Product Manager?

AspectProduct Development LeadProduct Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees product development teams, manages technical aspects, ensures product feasibilityDefines product vision, gathers requirements, prioritizes features, and aligns with business goals
Required SkillsTechnical expertise, project management, leadershipMarket research, strategic planning, stakeholder communication
Work EnvironmentCollaborates closely with engineering and design teamsWorks with marketing, sales, and executive teams
Common UsageUsed in tech and engineering-driven companiesCommon across various industries including tech, retail, and services

The Product Development Lead focuses on managing technical teams and ensuring the successful development of products, often with a hands-on technical role. In contrast, the Product Manager concentrates on defining product strategy, market fit, and stakeholder communication. Both roles are essential in product lifecycle management but differ in scope and focus.

What states have the most Product Development Lead jobs? States with the most job openings for Product Development Lead jobs include:
Product Development Lead jobs near you

Product Development Manager, Licensing

WME Group

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$123K - $154K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago

Job description

IMG Licensing is the global leader in brand licensing, managing licensing programs for the world's best-known brands and trademarks. With over 25 offices worldwide, IMG Licensing provides a unique one-stop-solution for innovative brand growth across a diverse portfolio of clients from business, entertainment, fashion, food, gaming and sports. IMG Licensing is part of WME Group, a global network of businesses that represent the world's leading talent, intellectual property, and brands. From strategy to business development to ongoing program management, professional back-office administration and industry-leading systems, IMG Licensing provides a full-service solution across all parts of the brand licensing journey.
The Role:
We're looking for a Manager, Product Development to support the creative execution, product development flow, and approvals process for a major consumer products licensing portfolio across gaming, entertainment, and culturally relevant brands.
This role will serve as a key product development and creative liaison between licensees, internal teams, and client stakeholders. The Manager will help guide licensed products from concept through approval platform routing, creative review, samples, final approval, and market launch, ensuring products are brand-appropriate, commercially viable, and delivered on time.
The ideal candidate has strong creative judgment, a solid understanding of consumer product development, and the ability to manage multiple licensee submissions across categories in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.
What You'll Do
Product Development
  • Lead the end-to-end product development and approvals process across assigned licensees, ensuring submissions move efficiently from concept through final approval and market launch.
  • Serve as a senior day-to-day partner to the client product development team, supporting key submissions, approval workflows, creative feedback, and platform-related process needs.
  • Review product concepts, artwork, packaging, samples, and related creative assets to ensure they are brand-appropriate, commercially viable, and aligned with client guidelines.
  • Ensure product development remains on track against key launch dates, retail timelines, and client priorities by proactively managing routing, feedback, revisions, and approvals.
  • Stay current on gaming IP updates, style guides, franchise moments, character priorities, visual identity, and product design needs to support high-quality products for fans.
  • Develop creative support materials, including collaboration booklets, inspiration decks, benchmark presentations, product guidance, and look books to improve licensee execution.

Creative Support
  • Manage and guide licensed consumer product designs in line with client brand guidelines, ensuring feedback is clear, actionable, and aligned with the product development process.
  • Provide creative direction and product development feedback that improves design quality, strengthens brand consistency, and supports innovation across licensed product submissions.
  • Identify style guide gaps, asset needs, and recurring licensee challenges in partnership with the client business and product development teams.
  • Translate client creative expectations into practical product guidance that licensees can apply across concepts, artwork, packaging, samples, and marketing assets.

Client/Licensee Support
  • Manage and support key relationships with licensee creative and product development teams, serving as a trusted partner across submissions, feedback, revisions, and approvals.
  • Provide structured onboarding for new licensees, including approval process guidance, platform training, brand materials, creative expectations, and submission best practices.
  • Lead product brainstorming and ideation with licensees to drive stronger concepts, better execution, and clear points of difference in the marketplace.
  • Proactively identify submission issues, approval delays, or creative concerns, and recommend practical solutions that keep product development moving efficiently.
  • Partner closely with internal licensing, creative, marketing, and client teams to ensure product development priorities are aligned, visible, and moving forward.

You Have These:
  • 5+ years of experience in product development, creative approvals, licensing, consumer products, design, or a related field.
  • Strong design sensibility and creative judgment, with the ability to evaluate product, packaging, and marketing assets against brand standards.
  • Experience working within consumer products, licensing, entertainment, gaming, lifestyle, toys, collectibles, apparel, accessories, or adjacent categories.
  • Good understanding of product development timelines across multiple product categories.
  • Ability to manage multiple design projects, approvals, submissions, and deadlines at the same time.
  • Strong interest in market trends, consumer behavior, creative styles, fandom, and culturally relevant brands.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide organized, constructive feedback.
  • Strong relationship-building skills with licensees, clients, internal stakeholders, and creative teams.
  • Highly organized, meticulous, proactive, and able to escalate issues while also recommending solutions.
  • Growth-minded, solution-oriented, and motivated to deliver high-quality products for fans and consumers.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint and Excel.
  • Experience with licensing approval systems is preferred.
  • Creative software experience, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, or similar tools, is a plus.

How we work:
To foster an environment of collaboration, develop our future talent, and build on relationships across leadership, peers, and teams, we work from the office 4 days per week. We see immeasurable value internally and throughout the core of the businesses we support
Per local requirements and in the interest of transparency, the rate shown below reflects the prevalent current hiring range for this position. Hiring pay rates are based on a number of factors, including location and may vary depending on job-related qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience. The company strives to provide locally competitive rewards packages, which include base rate along with, as applicable, short- and long-term incentives, growth and developmental opportunities, and robust benefits, such as health care, retirement, vacation and other paid time off, and additional offerings.
Hiring Rate Minimum:
$53,250 annually (minimum will not fall below the applicable state/local minimum salary thresholds)
Hiring Rate Maximum:
$71,000 annually
IMG Licensing is an equal opportunity employer that encourages applications from qualified, eligible candidates from all backgrounds and life experiences regardless of race, gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or belief.

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