When it comes to building a standout product team, attracting top-tier product managers is no small feat. These pros are in high demand, bringing the vision and leadership that take a product from concept to market success.
But what exactly do they look for in an organisation? Is it all about the salary, or do flexibility, growth opportunities, and company culture hold more weight? For hiring managers aiming to grow their product team, understanding what makes a role irresistible to these sought-after professionals is the key to standing out in a competitive market.
1 - Make their potential influence known
The best product managers don’t settle for simply being executors - they’re leaders who want to shape the company’s direction. To attract top-tier talent, it’s essential to emphasise the tangible impact they’ll have on business outcomes and strategy. Will they have a seat at the leadership table? Will their insights shape key decisions that directly influence growth, revenue, or customer satisfaction? These are the types of questions product pros are asking.
For example, let’s say you’re hiring for a role where a product manager will lead the development of a new AI-powered feature. Instead of just describing the technical work, highlight how this feature could expand your market by 20% or reduce operational costs by £500,000 annually. Or, perhaps they’ll work closely with C-suite executives to craft a roadmap for entering a competitive market, where their strategic decisions could result in a £1M revenue increase in year one.
Using examples like these not only demonstrates the scope of the role but also signals to candidates that their work will have a real, measurable impact. It’s not just about ticking boxes for them - it’s about making a difference at a strategic level.
2 - Highlight the power of collaboration
Top product managers thrive in collaborative environments where their expertise bridges gaps between teams. To stand out as an employer, demonstrate how your product managers will work across functions to deliver exceptional results that make an impact. Highlight real-world scenarios where this collaboration is central to the role.
For example, imagine a product manager working closely with the engineering team to overcome technical challenges in launching a new app feature. At the same time, they partner with the design team to ensure the feature aligns with user needs, conducting iterative testing to fine-tune the user experience. Meanwhile, they collaborate with the marketing and sales teams to craft messaging and positioning, ensuring a seamless go-to-market strategy that resonates with your audience.
Take inspiration from Airbnb, which functions with a highly collaborative team structure. CEO Brian Chesky has emphasised the importance of deep cross-team involvement, enabling product managers to work closely with design, engineering, and marketing to create cohesive, user-focused innovations.
This structure ensures that product managers aren’t just siloed into specific tasks but are integral to shaping the product at every level - from concept to launch. This is exactly the kind of environment that ambitious, top-tier professionals seek to excel in.
3 - Define their role in driving decisions
Talented product managers want to feel empowered to make decisions that shape the product’s success, not just follow orders. To attract the best talent, it’s important to clearly define the level of ownership they’ll have. Will they oversee the full lifecycle of a product, from ideation to execution? Communicating this autonomy demonstrates trust and creates a role where impactful leadership is encouraged.
For instance, consider Spotify's development of the Discover Weekly feature. The team behind this innovation operated with significant autonomy, enabling them to experiment and iterate without excessive oversight. This freedom was pivotal in creating a feature that resonated deeply with users, leading to over a billion tracks streamed within the first ten weeks of its launch.
Providing clarity on the autonomy and ownership your product managers can expect signals that their expertise will be valued, making your organisation a magnet for ambitious professionals.
4 - Put growth and learning at the forefront
Top product managers are drawn to roles where they can grow professionally while contributing to meaningful work. To attract the best talent, outline how your organisation supports continuous learning and career progression. Whether it’s through mentoring programmes, opportunities to work on high-impact projects, or regular exposure to leadership, demonstrating your commitment to development is key.
If your organisation has a formal mentoring programme, highlight how product managers are paired with senior leaders to gain guidance and insights. Or, if you encourage participation in industry events, certifications, or workshops, explain how these opportunities are integrated into the role.
Programmes such as Google’s APM (Associate Product Manager) programme has become a gold standard for career development. Participants receive mentorship from experienced product leaders, engage in rotational assignments across teams, and gain direct access to Google’s leadership.
You’re not Google, but that doesn’t mean you can’t implement initiatives that offer similar opportunities.
5 - Share what makes your product culture unique
Top product managers are drawn to environments where innovation and collaboration are at the forefront. To attract such talent, it’s essential to showcase your organisation's unique approach to product development. Do you employ agile methodologies, actively seek customer feedback, or foster a culture that encourages experimentation and bold ideas? Sharing these practices can set your company apart.
If your team runs workshops with frontline employees to gather insights or conducts regular customer focus groups to refine product ideas, these practices highlight a culture that values input and collaboration. Similarly, if your organisation supports cross-functional teams, this signals a workplace where ideas thrive and innovation is celebrated.
Culture isn’t just a gimmick. Imagine being a product manager in an environment where ideas, whether they come from a customer email or a colleague on the shop floor, can spark something real. By showing that your organisation embraces bold thinking and values every voice in the room, you’re offering more than a job - you’re offering a seat at the table where the best ideas are built and brought to life.
6 - Get in touch
Attracting top product managers isn’t just about offering a competitive salary or a flashy job title. It’s about creating an environment where their ideas matter, their contributions shape outcomes, and their growth is prioritised.
Looking to grow your product team with top-tier talent? Start by crafting roles that offer impact, ownership, and collaboration. If you need help defining or communicating what makes your organisation stand out, then start a conversation with Orbis.
Together, we can make your opportunities resonate with the best in the business.
