Product Manager - Innovation Engine at Substack

Tokyo, Japan

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Mid-level (3 to 4 years), Senior (5 to 8 years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Technology, MediaIndustries

Requirements

5+ years of Product Management experience with strong 0→1 experience
Proven track record in rapid experimentation frameworks
Resilient decision-maker who knows when to stop, iterate, or double down
Sharp in product discovery: customer interviews, prototyping, A/B testing
Metrics-driven
Fluent in English and Japanese
Bonus: background in tech, telco, entertainment, gaming, or fintech

Responsibilities

Drive the end-to-end lifecycle of new products from raw concept to market validation
Operate within a three-stage framework:
Stage 1: Ideation & Discovery – Turn whiteboard chaos into a pipeline of real opportunities; run market research and customer discovery to validate unmet needs; prioritize and finalize MVP concepts worth testing
Stage 2: MVP Live Testing – Launch MVPs fast; define early adopters, collect feedback, track behavior; iterate in tight cycles
Stage 3: Stop-Iterate-Scale – Decide to kill, refine, or scale; build GTM and scale strategies for products that prove traction

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Product ManagementMarket ResearchCustomer DiscoveryMVP DevelopmentIterative TestingGo-to-Market StrategyProduct ScalingIdeation

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the work location or arrangement for this role?

The position is hybrid and based in Japan, as part of the Innovation Engine team there.

What experience is required for this Product Manager role?

Candidates need 5+ years of Product Management with strong 0→1 experience, a proven track record in rapid experimentation frameworks, and skills in product discovery including customer interviews, prototyping, and A/B testing.

What salary or compensation does this position offer?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the culture like in the Innovation Engine team?

The team emphasizes fast idea testing, quick failure elimination, aggressive scaling of wins, and rapid execution through a three-stage framework of ideation, MVP testing, and scaling decisions.

What makes a strong candidate for this role?

A resilient decision-maker with metrics-driven approach, fluency in English and Japanese, and bonus experience in tech, telco, entertainment, gaming, or fintech will stand out.

Substack

Digital publishing platform for subscription-based content

About Substack

Substack is a digital publishing platform that connects writers and readers. It allows creators, such as authors, journalists, and chefs, to share their work through newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos. Creators can set their own subscription fees, ranging from $5 to $27 per month, enabling them to earn money directly from their content without relying on traditional publishing or advertising. Substack handles administrative tasks, billing, and technical support, allowing creators to focus on their writing. The platform also helps creators grow their audience, as a significant portion of new subscriptions comes from within the Substack network. Substack earns revenue by taking a percentage of the subscription fees, aligning its success with that of its creators. The goal of Substack is to empower creators to monetize their work while providing the necessary tools for managing and expanding their subscriber base.

San Francisco, CaliforniaHeadquarters

2017Year Founded

$97.5MTotal Funding

ANGELCompany Stage

Consumer Software, EntertainmentIndustries

1,001-5,000Employees

Risks

Enterprise offering may lead to competition with established solutions, straining resources.

Elon Musk's acquisition interest could cause market speculation and investor instability.

Integration with Polymarket may expose Substack to reputational risks and regulatory scrutiny.

Differentiation

Substack empowers creators with a subscription-based model, bypassing traditional revenue streams.

The platform offers built-in marketing, aiding creators in growing their subscriber base.

Substack's tools support diverse content, including newsletters, blogs, podcasts, and videos.

Upsides

Spotify integration broadens podcasters' reach, potentially boosting subscribers and revenue.

Mobile editor launch enhances accessibility, increasing content output and engagement.

Enterprise offering partnership with The Free Press opens new revenue streams for Substack.

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