Since PMM-CI is a newer role, candidates may not have that specific title on their resume. Instead, look for people who have experience in roles that involve researching competitors and using those insights to make decisions. Ideal backgrounds might include:
- Product Marketing Managers: Obviously, they often do competitive analysis as part of their broader role, making them a good fit for CI.
- Business Analysts: These individuals are skilled at gathering and analyzing data, which is essential for competitive intelligence.
- Sales Enablement Specialists: If they’ve developed battlecards and other competitive tools for sales teams, they’re already doing a big part of the job.
- Product Managers (PMs): PMs regularly evaluate competitor products to inform product decisions and strategy, giving them relevant experience for CI.
What to look for in a candidate
Analytical and Strategic Thinkers
Competitive intelligence requires turning raw data into actionable insights. Look for candidates who have experience working with data and using it to shape product or marketing strategies. This might come from roles like:
Collaboration Across Teams
A good PMM-CI doesn’t work in isolation—they collaborate with sales, product, marketing, and leadership teams. Candidates who have led cross-functional projects or worked closely with different departments in roles like Product Managers or Sales Enablement will likely be a good fit.
Sales Enablement Focus
One key part of this role is creating competitive tools for sales teams, like battlecards and objection-handling guides. Candidates who have worked in Sales Enablement or Product Marketing likely have experience developing these materials and understand what sales teams need to win deals.
Curiosity and Proactive Mindset
The competitive landscape is always changing, so look for candidates who are naturally curious and eager to follow and lead industry trends. People who have worked in Market Research or Strategy Roles tend to have this proactive mindset because they’re used to constantly learning and adapting.