How To Succeed In Product Management

At DraftKings, we pride ourselves on building innovative products that push the boundaries of the sports entertainment industry. To give you an inside look into what it's like to work on the front lines of our Product team, we sat down with Gareth, a Product Manager who plays a critical role in shaping the tools and experiences that drive our Sportsbook operations. Read on to learn more about his journey, the unique culture at DraftKings, and how he helps keep us ahead of the game.

What led you to become a Product Manager?

I started out working in the Trading department in 2010. Over time, I realized that what I enjoyed most was making processes more efficient for the Trading team, addressing regulatory requirements, and improving what we could offer to users. Fortunately, a Product role opened, and I’ve since gained experience across various aspects of product management in different companies. From onboarding B2B clients and regulatory reporting to working with PAM and front-end tools, I’ve done it all. Since joining DraftKings, I’ve focused on our internal Trading tools and worked closely with the Trading team.

How do you describe the Product team at DraftKings? 

Our Product team is driven, passionate, and collaborative. Everyone truly cares about delivering the best product possible for our Sportsbook users and optimizing processes for our internal stakeholders. We focus on doing the right thing and supporting each other to meet deadlines—it's all about teamwork and putting the collective goal above individual interests.

Is there a specific product you work on? 

I focus on the tools and systems that the Trading team uses for risk and user management. This includes visualizing incoming and placed bets, managing customer interactions, and configuring what users can bet on. The scope is broad, covering a wide range of products, which keeps things interesting and challenging.

What’s unique about working at DraftKings? What makes our products great to work on? 

At DraftKings, "good enough" isn’t part of our vocabulary. The sports entertainment industry is always evolving, and we’re driven to continuously improve and innovate. We work alongside talented people all over the world. From Sofia, Plovdiv, London, and Boston, we're constantly exposed to different perspectives and skills, which fosters continuous learning and growth. Plus, it’s incredibly rewarding to see the immediate impact of something you’ve worked hard on.

How would you describe the pace of work in your role?

The pace is fast and dynamic. We work with fixed deadlines throughout the year that revolve around key sporting events, such as the start of the big U.S. sports seasons like the NFL and NBA. We also need to stay responsive to regulatory changes and support other Product teams. In addition, we’re always aiming to work on core product improvements and new features to ensure we’re not just keeping up but driving progress.

Which tech stack do you work with every day?

Our tech stack is diverse. We support internal applications used by Traders, manage APIs that power various services and applications, and work with databases that store a wide range of information. Our primary programming language for the back end is C#, and for the front end, we use React and Typescript.

How would you describe the culture and work-life balance at DraftKings? 

Our culture is built on collaboration and honesty. It’s a 24/7 operation, especially with key events happening on weekends and in the overnight hours and we all support each other whenever needed. The flexibility to work from home or the office allows our teams to balance work and personal life effectively. The Product team is very transparent, and everyone is open to discussing ideas and giving constructive feedback. This transparency, combined with our team’s diverse backgrounds, gives me confidence that we can tackle any challenge.

At DraftKings, our team’s passion, collaboration, and drive to innovate are what make our products exceptional. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries in the sports entertainment industry. If you're ready to embark on a journey where you can grow, make an impact, and own the crown in your career, explore our open roles today!