What's surprised you most about leading product marketing teams at the Director/ SVP level?

I think it is less about being surprised, and more about the evolution of a leadership role. Top of mind, here are a few thoughts:

• Cross-functional collaboration. While every level in product marketing requires alignment across functions, senior roles involve a different layer of prioritization and influence that often happens beyond the day-to-day work.

• People development. Leadership isn’t just about driving strategy; it’s also about supporting the growth of each team member. I’m especially passionate about this because I believe everyone’s career path deserves unique support and guidance.

• Influence on the company’s direction. Whether it’s engaging with the board of directors or being the sole representative for leadership, there’s a valuable opportunity to align product marketing with the broader goals of the company, contributing to its strategic direction.

And just like any role, there is still a large amount of "rolling up one's sleeves" to get things done. Sometimes, however, the team may not be privy to this, and that's ok!