Created by:
Amelia Wilson
Hiring the right product manager takes real effort – and it starts with getting the job description right. A vague or generic job description attracts the wrong candidates (or scares off the right ones) before you've reviewed a single resume.
This template gives you a great starting point. It's practical, plain-English, and designed to be adapted.
What is a product manager job description template?
A product manager job description template is a pre-structured document that gives you the core sections, language, and guidance you need to write a compelling PM job posting – without starting from a blank page.
This template covers everything from the role summary and day-to-day responsibilities to compensation, benefits, and candidate requirements. Each section includes placeholder text you can customize, plus notes that explain what to include and why.
Who is it for?
This template is for anyone hiring a product manager – whether it's your first PM hire or your fifteenth.
It's especially useful if you're a:
- Product leader who needs to move fast and doesn't have time to start from scratch
- Founder or CEO writing your first PM job description and not sure what to include
- People ops or recruiting professional who wants a solid brief to work from
- Hiring manager who's been using the same stale template for years and wants something better
If you're hiring a mid-level or senior PM, this template is ready to go with minimal adjustments. If you're hiring for a more junior or specialized role, the structure and guidance will still give you a strong foundation – you'll just tailor the requirements section accordingly.
How to use the template
1. Start with the job title
Use a clear, standard title that candidates are actually searching for – something like "Senior Product Manager" or "Product Manager, Growth." Avoid creative titles like "PM Ninja" or internal codes like "PM III." They hurt your visibility on job boards and confuse candidates before they've even read the description.
2. Write your intro paragraph
Lead with a concise, honest summary of the role and why it matters to your business. This is your first impression – make it specific. Generic openers like "We're a fast-paced, innovative team" tell candidates nothing. What will this person actually own? What's at stake if they do it well?
3. Customize the responsibilities
The template gives you a solid set of default responsibilities for a B2B SaaS PM role. Go through them and ask: does this reflect what the person will actually do day-to-day?
Add what's missing, cut what doesn't apply, and aim for six to eight bullets. For each one, don't just describe the task – give it context. Candidates want to know why the work matters, not just what it is.
4. Split your requirements into must-haves and nice-to-haves
This is one of the most important things you can do to improve your applicant pool. Must-haves are the genuine non-negotiables; nice-to-haves are everything else.
Keep must-haves to ten bullets or fewer. Long requirement lists may discourage strong candidates from applying. So, if it's not truly essential, move it to nice-to-haves or cut it.
5. Include a salary range
About a quarter of job seekers say compensation is the most important part of a job description. Including a range reduces back-and-forth, sets expectations early, and – depending on where you're based – may be required by your state's pay transparency laws. Don't skip it.
6. Check for exclusionary language
Before you publish, read back through the whole thing and look for language that could unintentionally put people off. Gender-coded words, hyper-specific personality traits ("must thrive in chaos"), and unnecessary degree requirements can all narrow your pool in ways you didn't intend. The template includes guidance on what to watch for.
7. Remove the instructional notes before publishing
The template includes editor's notes throughout to guide your decisions. They're for your eyes only – make sure you delete them before the job description goes live. It's also worth getting a second pair of eyes on the full thing to catch any typos or errors before candidates see it.
Grab your PM job description template
Become a PLA Insider
Thank you for subscribing
Get exclusive insights, frameworks, and strategies from product leaders driving real business impact.
An email has been successfully sent to confirm your subscription.
Follow us on LinkedIn
