Job Description Summary
For over forty years, HarbourVest has been home to a committed team of professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to deliver impactful solutions to our clients and investing partners. As our global firm grows, we continue to add individuals who seek a collaborative, open-door culture that values diversity and innovative thinking.
In our collegial environment that’s marked by low turnover and high energy, you’ll be inspired to grow and thrive. Here, you will be encouraged to build on your strengths and acquire new skills and experiences.
We are committed to fostering an environment of inclusion that promotes mutual respect among all employees. Understanding and valuing these differences optimizes the potential of both the individual and the firm.
HarbourVest is an equal opportunity employer.
This position will be a hybrid work arrangement. You will receive 18 remote workdays per quarter to use at your discretion, subject to manager approval. For example, you may choose to work in the office 4 days per week and take one remote day weekly (typically 13 weeks per quarter), leaving 5 additional remote days to be used as needed.
The Senior Vice President, Product Specialist is a senior leader within HarbourVest’s Strategy, Innovation & Execution (SIE) team, responsible for translating strategic product vision into operational execution. This role is central to launching, embedding, and optimizing new investment products across the firm, and serves as a key connector between investment strategy, client-facing teams, and operational infrastructure. The SVP plays a critical role in bridging strategic intent with market execution—narrating HarbourVest’s story, positioning products for success, and engaging with strategic partners to seed and scale innovation. This leader must be able to flex between high-level strategic planning and detailed product enablement, manage post-launch engagement, and create compelling collateral that supports both firm-level and product-specific messaging.
Key Responsibilities
Product Lifecycle Ownership
Lead the full lifecycle of product execution—from concept validation and regulatory readiness to launch, enablement, and post-launch optimization.
Develop and manage execution plans aligned with enterprise strategy, including timelines, success metrics, and partner roles.
Ensure products are embedded effectively across systems, teams, and workflows.
Strategic Storytelling & Collateral Development
Narrate HarbourVest’s strategic identity and product innovation story in a way that resonates with institutional and wealth audiences.
Create and lead development of firm-level and product-specific collateral, including pitch decks, investor materials, and strategic narratives.
Translate complex product structures into accessible, compelling content for external and internal stakeholders.
Strategic Partner Engagement
Engage with strategic partners and wealth platforms to assess interest in seeding new products and participating in innovation-led initiatives.
Represent HarbourVest in high-level conversations with clients, prospects, and distribution partners.
Support go-to-market efforts with tailored messaging and enablement materials.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Partner with investment teams, investor relations, compliance, marketing, technology, and client operations to ensure seamless product delivery.
Serve as a senior liaison to the Product Champion, Product Development team, and Executive Leadership Team (ELT).
Coordinate across functions to resolve blockers and maintain momentum.
Strategic Planning & Portfolio Management
Contribute to product portfolio planning and prioritization, including feasibility assessments and go-to-market strategies.
Shape internal presentations and materials for ELT and Board-level discussions.
Align product execution with enterprise strategy refreshes and innovation priorities.
Process Excellence & Innovation
Champion continuous improvement across people, process, and technology.
Implement new tools and workflows to improve execution speed, quality, and scalability.
Identify and address gaps in infrastructure, documentation, and enablement.
Post-Launch Engagement & Monitoring
Manage product engagement and performance post-launch, ensuring continued alignment with strategic goals.
Monitor adoption, feedback, and market response to inform future enhancements and positioning.
Leadership & Talent Development
Lead and mentor junior product specialists and associates.
Cultivate a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
Promote internal mobility and cross-functional development.
Ideal Candidate Profile
15+ years of experience in product strategy, product development, or execution leadership within private equity, asset management, or financial services.
Proven success in launching and embedding complex products across global organizations.
Deep understanding of private markets structures, regulatory frameworks, and operational workflows.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to pitch to wealth partners and strategic clients.
Experience creating and managing strategic collateral across firm-level and product-specific initiatives.
Ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels, with comfort navigating ambiguity and change.
Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing competing priorities.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce, DealCloud) preferred.
Bachelor’s degree required; MBA, CFA, or CAIA preferred.