As a Senior Product Manager in the Discovery Vertical at Moneytree, you will drive exploration and rapid experimentation to identify and develop whole solutions that meet emerging customer needs. The Discovery Vertical is akin to an internal startup, tasked with exploring new market opportunities through in-depth research, rapid prototyping, and solution validation. This role involves deep collaboration with cross-functional teams, engagement with external research vendors, and navigating ambiguity to create impactful, user-focused solutions.
You will operate in a fast-paced environment, managing the discovery process from ideation through to market testing, with a focus on stakeholder alignment and outcome-oriented execution.
At Moneytree, our mission is to unleash the power of data by providing the tools & capabilities needed, by reducing or removing barriers, and by delivering meaningful value today. Our technology is used by major banks, accounting software companies and fintech companies in Japan. Key clients include Mizuho, SMBC, and Mitsubishi UFJ Nicos.
In this role you will
- Conduct market research to identify high-potential areas where our platform can deliver meaningful impact, utilizing both desk research and external research vendors for quantitative and qualitative analysis.
- Manage and execute a structured discovery process, moving projects through three phases: market research, rapid prototyping, and market validation.
- Develop insights and hypotheses based on user needs, trends, and competitive landscape, translating these into potential solutions and prototypes.
- Lead rapid prototyping initiatives, collaborating with engineering, design, and research teams to develop minimum viable products (MVPs) and test early solutions.
- Conduct go-to-market testing, evaluating the impact of prototypes and gathering feedback to inform future iterations or pivot decisions.
- Maintain close alignment with senior stakeholders, ensuring transparency around project status, key findings, and strategic alignment with company objectives.
- Act as a bridge between the discovery team and other departments, managing expectations and communicating results effectively.
- Foster a culture of innovation, agility, and continuous learning within the discovery team, contributing to an environment that resembles a startup.
In the first days your expected deliverables will include
- Familiarize yourself with the company’s existing products, strategy, user base, and current initiatives within the discovery vertical.
- Conduct a review of potential high-impact opportunity areas, identifying 1-2 initial discovery projects to prioritize.
- Establish a process for conducting market research, including identifying and engaging with research vendors where needed.
- Develop an initial roadmap for the discovery vertical, outlining phases and anticipated timelines for upcoming projects.
- Lead the initiation of at least one discovery project, managing it through the market research and rapid prototyping stages.
- Set up a process for stakeholder updates, aligning key stakeholders on discovery goals, timelines, and early insights.
- Begin defining success metrics for discovery initiatives, including indicators for market potential, user engagement, and prototype validation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Product Management, Marketing, or a related field; an MBA or relevant Master’s degree is a plus.
- 5+ years of experience in product management, with a focus on early-stage product discovery, innovation, or high-growth environments.
- Demonstrated experience conducting market research, including managing external research vendors and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data.
- Strong background in prototyping and rapid experimentation, with a proven ability to validate ideas quickly and make data-informed decisions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with a track record of building consensus across functions and levels of seniority.
- High tolerance for ambiguity, with the ability to prioritize effectively, pivot quickly, and hustle to drive results.
- Experience in a startup environment or with internal startups is highly desirable.
- Passion for innovation and a creative approach to problem-solving, with a strong understanding of customer needs and market trends.
- Business level Japanese and English required
Benefits
- Working remotely from anywhere in Japan
- Flexible working hours
- Employee stock option program participation
- Referral bonus 250,000 JPY per successful hire
- Communication allowance (10,000 JPY/month)
- Remote work allowance (3000 JPY/month)
- 20 annual paid leave
- 10 annual sick and carer leave
- Health and social insurance support
- Ability to work from overseas for short periods
- Learning support (7500 JPY/quarter)
There are two ways to join Moneytree, apply for the right role, or be the right person and let us find a role for you. We encourage you to get in touch if you are resourceful, have a passion for creation, value integrity and strive to always do your best work.