Fractional AI · 2 days ago
Forward-Deployed Product Manager - Enterprise (Founding Team)
Raleigh, NC
Full-time
Hybrid
Mid, Senior Level
4+ years expFractional AI builds bespoke software to help organizations solve complex, high-impact problems. The Forward-Deployed Product Manager will be responsible for engaging with clients to translate their goals into AI-powered solutions, managing the product lifecycle from initial conversation to live deployment.
Information TechnologyInternet
Responsibilities
Own the client relationship end-to-end
Act as the client’s day-to-day strategic partner and primary point of contact
Join early-stage calls, run discovery, synthesize feedback, and keep clients aligned on what we’re building and why
Build trusted relationships across all levels of an organization, setting clear expectations and being candid about tradeoffs
Define product builds, refine and sequence scope, and identify the highest-leverage use cases
Translate ambiguous business problems into crisp problem statements, user journeys, and success metrics
Work with clients to define what “success” actually means—then design experiments, KPIs, and dashboards to prove it
Translate ambiguous client needs into clear requirements, PRDs, and plans for engineers
Shape workflows, edge cases, evaluation criteria, and deployment success metrics for AI-powered systems
Sit in the loop with engineering: prioritization, tradeoffs, testing, evals, and launches
Run the day-to-day execution rhythm: stand-ups, planning, check-ins, risk/issue tracking, and runway management
Coordinate between clients, engineers, designers, and other Fractional teammates to keep projects unblocked and moving
Own timelines and delivery quality—getting projects across the finish line consistently and calmly, even when things change late
Jump on early, messy conversations where the “project” is still a vague idea
Help founders and sales tease out real pain, sketch solution approaches live, and scope engagements that we can actually deliver
Spot expansion opportunities and help turn successful deployments into broader, long-term partnerships
Work with client teams on rollout, enablement, and change management—so the systems you build actually get used
Monitor performance, gather qualitative and quantitative feedback, and push for improvements where they matter most
Bring back insights and patterns that inform Fractional’s internal playbooks, tooling, and product direction
When requirements are fuzzy, data is messy, or clients change course, you’ll break the problem down and guide everyone toward the highest-impact solution
Be the person in the room who can say, “Here’s what we’re actually trying to do, here’s what we know, here’s the plan.”
Qualification
Required
You've led projects where clients were under pressure, stakeholders weren't aligned, and the path wasn't obvious
You're comfortable pushing back, reframing the problem, and holding the line on quality
You've built and shipped products or services in partnership with engineers and designers—ideally across multiple cycles
You know how to run an execution rhythm (stand-ups, planning, tracking, retros) without turning it into process theater
You ask good questions, structure chaos, and turn ambiguity into a plan
You can go from whiteboarding with execs to writing a crisp doc for engineers without losing the plot
You roll up your sleeves and make things happen, whether that's writing a scrappy SQL query, drafting a support playbook, or jumping into a last-minute exec demo
Typically 4–8 years in product, consulting, implementations, or any role where execution and client trust mattered more than your job title
You like high-energy environments, messy problems, and 'we haven't done this before' projects
You can juggle multiple clients, keep priorities straight, and make good calls with incomplete information
You don't need deep AI expertise on day one. You do need curiosity, strong reasoning, and a desire to learn fast—and to overuse AI in your own workflow
Benefits
Competitive Compensation Package: Attractive salary and meaningful equity aligned with your experience and skills.
401k with Matching: Invest in your future with our company-matched retirement plan.
Unlimited PTO: Take the time you need to relax and rejuvenate.
Exceptional Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage: Comprehensive health benefits to keep you and your family healthy.
Health FSA: Manage out-of-pocket health expenses effectively.
Commuter Benefits: Make your travel to work easier and more affordable.
Life Insurance: Providing peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Team Events and Activities: Regular events to build camaraderie and a strong team spirit.
Company
Fractional AI
Fractional AI builds bespoke gen AI software to transform businesses.
11-50 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Fractional AI has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (1)
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageCompany data provided by crunchbase