VP, Product Research & Strategy, Digital Banking
Medium, Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States, 20815
Company Description
Forbright is a nationwide full-service bank and commercial lender focused on helping to build a brighter futurefor our clients and the communities we serve. Forbright is committed to exceptional client service by providing seamless, innovative personal banking services to depositors and creative financing solutions to visionary middle market businesses and investors in healthcare, technology, financial services, real estate, and other industries.
Company Culture We are a dynamic, high energy, fun, and fast-paced organization that has an exciting growth trajectory, meaningful mission, and embedded responsible practices into our daily interactions. We offer our team members a culture of collaboration, inclusion, flexibility, recognition, and giving back. We look to hire individuals that are passionate about our mission, and who are motivated, customer and results-oriented, innovative, adaptable, and thoughtful.
Company Mission We are a mission-driven institution. We operate a sound dynamic institution that is well capitalized, liquid, profitable and uses best practices to manage risk and assure compliance with laws and regulations. We use Forbright’s capital, capabilities, innovation, and expertise to help our clients succeed and contribute broadly to building a brighter future.
Job Summary The VP, Product Research & Strategy, Digital Banking is responsible for leading the strategic direction, research, and innovation of digital banking products for the consumer division. This role drives market analysis, competitive intelligence, and product vision to ensure the Bank’s digital offerings are differentiated, customer‑centric, and aligned with business objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of product research and strategy for digital banking products
Conduct market research, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats
Define and communicate the short‑term and long‑term product vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with organizational goals
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Product, Technology, Marketing, Compliance, Operations) to develop business cases and strategic recommendations for new product initiatives and enhancements, and drive product innovation and delivery
Evaluate emerging technologies, fintech partnerships, and industry best practices to inform product strategy
Monitor product performance metrics and customer feedback to inform continuous improvement
Present research findings, strategic plans, and recommendations to executive leadership
Mentor and develop junior team members in research and strategy disciplines
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree required; Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or related field preferred
Minimum of 8 years of experience in product management, product strategy, or product research within digital banking, fintech, or financial services required; experience in consumer digital banking preferred
Experience with market research methodologies, data analysis, and strategic planning
Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and presentation skills
Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Outstanding problem‑solving and time management skills
Self‑motivated, self‑directed, and results‑oriented
Adaptable and able to multitask in a fast‑paced environment
Can work independently and within a team; solution‑oriented with a collaborative approach
Position Requirements We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are capable of performing their job position. Work is primarily conducted in an office setting while certain positions may allow for remote work through the use of technology at management discretion. The functions described below are representative of those to successfully perform duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required for extended periods of time to:
Remain in a stationary position
Use hands and fingers
Utilize a computer monitor with visual acuity
Operate technology or other office machinery such as printers, scanners, etc.
Communicate clearly verbally and/or in writing with others
Additional Duties For Forbright Bank to remain efficient and nimble as a growing organization, team members are expected to exhibit a high level of flexibility regarding any duties that may be situationally assigned outside of this job description.
Perks and Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
4 weeks PTO
401k + company match
Metro SmartTrip benefits ($50/mo)
Remote or hybrid work schedules for most positions
Incentives for purchasing solar panels, electric vehicles, biking to work, etc.
Paid subscriptions to Veterans Compost, Capital Bikeshare, Imperfect Foods reimbursement, and more!
Best Workplaces for Commuters 2023 & 2024 winner
The Washington Post Top Workplaces 2023, 2024, and 2025 winner
American Banker Best Banks to Work For 2023 winner
Core Principles
Excellence:
Excellence is not a goal, but a standard, reflected in the precision of our work and the quality of our decisions. Excellence is a discipline that compounds over time and creates lasting value; it must be measured and managed.
People:
Our people are our greatest strength. We foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and ambition – where everyone matters. We celebrate collaboration and teamwork and prize loyalty – to one another, the company, our mission, and values.
Innovation:
We invest boldly in technology, harnessing innovation not for its own sake but to make banking and lending better, faster, and smarter for our clients, more efficient for our team, and more profitable for our shareholders. By combining human insight with technological excellence, we strengthen our ability to serve, to adapt, and to succeed in a changing world. Innovation is a continuous investment in new ideas.
Sound Practices:
Our foundation rests on prudence, care, integrity, and discipline. We manage credit and business risk with rigor and fundamentals‑based judgment, act with transparency, and uphold the highest standards of corporate governance and regulatory compliance to ensure sustainable growth and enduring financial strength.
Distinct Value:
We focus our energy where we add value. We avoid the commoditized and the ordinary, choosing to compete through insight, specialization, technology and service. By concentrating on areas where expertise matters and relationships endure, we create differentiation that is defensible and lasting.
Clients:
We exist to advance our clients’ success and to help them grow. We listen deeply, think creatively, and deliver solutions that solve problems, drive impact and add value. Every client relationship is built on partnership, performance, and purpose.
Shareholders:
We are committed to creating exceptional value for our shareholders. We invest for the long term and view our shareholders as partners – not observers – in value creation. We allocate capital wisely, execute with precision, and continuously adapt our business model to pursue the most attractive, risk‑adjusted returns. We work to make rational decisions, avoid unnecessary complexity, maintain strong liquidity and capital, and communicate with clarity and honesty. We measure success both by current performance and by the durability and quality of the long‑term value we build.
Communities and the Environment:
We believe prosperity and responsibility go hand in hand. We invest in inclusive opportunity and environmental stewardship. Our goal is simple – to do our part build a brighter, more sustainable future for the communities we serve and the world we share.
Equal Employment Opportunity It is the policy of Forbright Bank to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and to administer all aspects and conditions of pre‑employment and employment without regard to protected characteristics.
At‑Will Employment Employment with Forbright Bank is at‑will, which means that either you or the Company may terminate the relationship at any time.
Privacy Notice By applying, you acknowledge that you have reviewed our CCPA Privacy Notice.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Company Culture We are a dynamic, high energy, fun, and fast-paced organization that has an exciting growth trajectory, meaningful mission, and embedded responsible practices into our daily interactions. We offer our team members a culture of collaboration, inclusion, flexibility, recognition, and giving back. We look to hire individuals that are passionate about our mission, and who are motivated, customer and results-oriented, innovative, adaptable, and thoughtful.
Company Mission We are a mission-driven institution. We operate a sound dynamic institution that is well capitalized, liquid, profitable and uses best practices to manage risk and assure compliance with laws and regulations. We use Forbright’s capital, capabilities, innovation, and expertise to help our clients succeed and contribute broadly to building a brighter future.
Job Summary The VP, Product Research & Strategy, Digital Banking is responsible for leading the strategic direction, research, and innovation of digital banking products for the consumer division. This role drives market analysis, competitive intelligence, and product vision to ensure the Bank’s digital offerings are differentiated, customer‑centric, and aligned with business objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
Lead the development and execution of product research and strategy for digital banking products
Conduct market research, customer segmentation, and competitive analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and threats
Define and communicate the short‑term and long‑term product vision, strategy, and roadmap in alignment with organizational goals
Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (Product, Technology, Marketing, Compliance, Operations) to develop business cases and strategic recommendations for new product initiatives and enhancements, and drive product innovation and delivery
Evaluate emerging technologies, fintech partnerships, and industry best practices to inform product strategy
Monitor product performance metrics and customer feedback to inform continuous improvement
Present research findings, strategic plans, and recommendations to executive leadership
Mentor and develop junior team members in research and strategy disciplines
Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree required; Degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Marketing, or related field preferred
Minimum of 8 years of experience in product management, product strategy, or product research within digital banking, fintech, or financial services required; experience in consumer digital banking preferred
Experience with market research methodologies, data analysis, and strategic planning
Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and presentation skills
Ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Outstanding problem‑solving and time management skills
Self‑motivated, self‑directed, and results‑oriented
Adaptable and able to multitask in a fast‑paced environment
Can work independently and within a team; solution‑oriented with a collaborative approach
Position Requirements We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are capable of performing their job position. Work is primarily conducted in an office setting while certain positions may allow for remote work through the use of technology at management discretion. The functions described below are representative of those to successfully perform duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required for extended periods of time to:
Remain in a stationary position
Use hands and fingers
Utilize a computer monitor with visual acuity
Operate technology or other office machinery such as printers, scanners, etc.
Communicate clearly verbally and/or in writing with others
Additional Duties For Forbright Bank to remain efficient and nimble as a growing organization, team members are expected to exhibit a high level of flexibility regarding any duties that may be situationally assigned outside of this job description.
Perks and Benefits
Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans
4 weeks PTO
401k + company match
Metro SmartTrip benefits ($50/mo)
Remote or hybrid work schedules for most positions
Incentives for purchasing solar panels, electric vehicles, biking to work, etc.
Paid subscriptions to Veterans Compost, Capital Bikeshare, Imperfect Foods reimbursement, and more!
Best Workplaces for Commuters 2023 & 2024 winner
The Washington Post Top Workplaces 2023, 2024, and 2025 winner
American Banker Best Banks to Work For 2023 winner
Core Principles
Excellence:
Excellence is not a goal, but a standard, reflected in the precision of our work and the quality of our decisions. Excellence is a discipline that compounds over time and creates lasting value; it must be measured and managed.
People:
Our people are our greatest strength. We foster a culture of respect, inclusion, and ambition – where everyone matters. We celebrate collaboration and teamwork and prize loyalty – to one another, the company, our mission, and values.
Innovation:
We invest boldly in technology, harnessing innovation not for its own sake but to make banking and lending better, faster, and smarter for our clients, more efficient for our team, and more profitable for our shareholders. By combining human insight with technological excellence, we strengthen our ability to serve, to adapt, and to succeed in a changing world. Innovation is a continuous investment in new ideas.
Sound Practices:
Our foundation rests on prudence, care, integrity, and discipline. We manage credit and business risk with rigor and fundamentals‑based judgment, act with transparency, and uphold the highest standards of corporate governance and regulatory compliance to ensure sustainable growth and enduring financial strength.
Distinct Value:
We focus our energy where we add value. We avoid the commoditized and the ordinary, choosing to compete through insight, specialization, technology and service. By concentrating on areas where expertise matters and relationships endure, we create differentiation that is defensible and lasting.
Clients:
We exist to advance our clients’ success and to help them grow. We listen deeply, think creatively, and deliver solutions that solve problems, drive impact and add value. Every client relationship is built on partnership, performance, and purpose.
Shareholders:
We are committed to creating exceptional value for our shareholders. We invest for the long term and view our shareholders as partners – not observers – in value creation. We allocate capital wisely, execute with precision, and continuously adapt our business model to pursue the most attractive, risk‑adjusted returns. We work to make rational decisions, avoid unnecessary complexity, maintain strong liquidity and capital, and communicate with clarity and honesty. We measure success both by current performance and by the durability and quality of the long‑term value we build.
Communities and the Environment:
We believe prosperity and responsibility go hand in hand. We invest in inclusive opportunity and environmental stewardship. Our goal is simple – to do our part build a brighter, more sustainable future for the communities we serve and the world we share.
Equal Employment Opportunity It is the policy of Forbright Bank to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and to administer all aspects and conditions of pre‑employment and employment without regard to protected characteristics.
At‑Will Employment Employment with Forbright Bank is at‑will, which means that either you or the Company may terminate the relationship at any time.
Privacy Notice By applying, you acknowledge that you have reviewed our CCPA Privacy Notice.
#J-18808-Ljbffr