Staff Product Marketing Manager - Confluent

Introduction We're not just building better tech. We're rewriting how data moves and what the world can do with it. With Confluent, data doesn't sit still. Our platform puts information in motion, streaming in near real-time so companies can react faster, build smarter, and deliver experiences as dynamic as the world around them. It takes a certain kind of person to join this team. Those who ask hard questions, give honest feedback, and show up for each other. No egos, no solo acts. Just smart, curious humans pushing toward something bigger, together. One Confluent. One Team. One Data Streaming Platform. Your Role and Responsibilities As a Staff Technical Product Market Manager (PMM), you will leverage deep client knowledge, market and product orientation, and competitive insights to inform product build decisions and define market requirements. You will drive differentiated positioning and messaging, clearly explaining how Confluent\'s offerings work in-market and the value they deliver to buyers and users. Your primary responsibilities will include: Craft Compelling Stories: Develop and deliver compelling stories that drive product, services, and solution consideration and adoption by leveraging client success stories, thought-leadership, market proof points, and analyst insights to elevate IBM\'s credibility. Define Market Requirements: Inform product build decisions and define market requirements that enable differentiated positioning and messaging, leveraging deep client knowledge, market and product orientation, and competitive insights. Drive Go-to-Market Strategies: Lead data-driven strategies and outcome-focused marketing business plans to accelerate growth, supported by go-to-market expertise. Collaborate Cross-Functionally: Engage directly with clients, partners, and analysts, while collaborating across marketing, communications, analyst relations, product management, development, design, client experience, ecosystem, and sales to align strategies and deliver measurable business outcomes. Elevate Confluent\'s Credibility: Leverage strong messaging and positioning skills to elevate Confluent\'s credibility, supported by client success stories, thought-leadership, market proof points, and analyst insights. Required Skills * 5+ years of product marketing experience supporting B2B SaaS products for technical users, or 8+ years of relevant experience in consulting, B2B SaaS or product. * Have strong product marketing skills that translate to clear copywriting, product evangelism, competitive positioning, and messaging. * Bring strong technical acumen - you can independently understand and explain complex products, architectures, and use cases while partnering closely with Product Management to validate technical accuracy. * Have a data-informed mindset and are driven to set measurable goals for every project you take on. * Are proactive and self-directed - you identify opportunities, create momentum, and drive initiatives from idea through execution without needing day-to-day direction. * Thrive in cross-functional environments and can effectively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders and teams. * Lead with empathy and humility - you listen actively, value diverse perspectives, and build trust across teams and stakeholders. * Are incredibly organized and efficient-you take on complex projects and own them from start to finish. Preferred Skills * Experience with Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, Apache Iceberg, data infrastructure, data architecture, cloud services, and/or distributed systems * Experience marketing technical infrastructure, developer tools, data platforms, or distributed systems * Hands-on experience with Apache Kafka, Apache Flink, stream processing, or real-time analytics * Experience using funnel analytics, experimentation, or customer and product data to diagnose and improve GTM performance * Experience shaping messaging for an emerging category or independently driving ambiguous, cross-functional initiatives Additional Details (US) IBM offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program. Eligible employees may have access to: - Healthcare benefits including medical & prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and mental health & well being - Financial programs such as 401(k), cash balance pension plan, the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan, financial counseling, life insurance, short & long- term disability coverage, and opportunities for performance based salary incentive programs - Generous paid time off including 12 holidays, minimum 56 hours sick time, 120 hours vacation, 12 weeks parental bonding leave in accordance with IBM Policy, and other Paid Care Leave programs. IBM also offers paid family leave benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law - Training and educational resources on our personalized, AI-driven learning platform where IBMers can grow skills and obtain industry-recognized certifications to achieve their career goals - Diverse and inclusive employee resource groups, giving & volunteer opportunities, and discounts on retail products, services & experiences We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law. This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 21 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role. Compensation, Benefits and Work Authorization The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year. IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.