Some jobs, despite different titles, require the same underlying skills and ways of working. The title matters less than what the work actually demands.
This is where work areas come in. Work areas represent the different types of work that exist across organizations, regardless of job title or industry. Pigment identifies 33 distinct work areas, each requiring a unique combination of skills, mindsets, and working styles.
Understanding which work areas align with your natural strengths helps you find roles where you'll thrive. When you know what kind of work a role primarily requires, you can evaluate whether that work plays to what you're good at.
Table of Contents
Performance and Data Analysis Research & Development Financial Planning & Analysis Technical Architecture Process Design Experience Design Visual Design Creative Direction Content Creation Strategic Planning Brand Strategy Corporate Development Product Design Technical Development Innovation Development Product Marketing Operations Management Project and Product Management Change Management Account Management Community Development Sales Development Governance, Risk, & Compliance Financial Management Ecosystem Development Revenue Operations Service Delivery People Development Organizational Development Talent Acquisition Negotiation Campaign Development Sustainability Management
Performance and Data Analysis
Transforms raw information into actionable insights through structured analysis, pattern recognition, and quantitative modeling to drive evidence-based decisions.
Example Work
Building predictive models for customer churn, analyzing campaign performance metrics, developing pricing optimization models, creating operational efficiency dashboards
Common Job Titles
- Business Intelligence Analyst
- Marketing Analytics Manager
- Director of Analytics
- VP of Data & Analytics
Common Functions
- Operations & Process
- Product & Project Management
- Data & Analytics
- General
Research & Development
Systematically investigates problems, needs, and opportunities to generate actionable insights through rigorous methodology and creative exploration.
Example Work
Conducting user research, analyzing market opportunities, investigating technical feasibility, exploring emerging trends
Common Job Titles
- User Researcher
- Market Research Analyst
- Research Manager
- Director of Research
- VP of Research
Common Functions
- Innovation & R&D
- Product & Design
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Financial Planning & Analysis
Conducts financial modeling, forecasting, and analysis to guide strategic decision-making and optimize business performance.
Example Work
Business modeling in strategy, product economics in product teams, operational budgeting, financial forecasting
Common Job Titles
- Financial Analyst
- FP&A Manager
- Finance Manager
- Director of FP&A
- VP of Finance
Common Functions
- Finance
- Strategy & Planning
- Operations & Process
- General
Technical Architecture
Designs and evolves scalable technical systems that balance business needs, technical constraints, and future adaptability requirements.
Example Work
Designing distributed systems architecture, creating technical roadmaps, establishing architectural standards, evaluating technology choices
Common Job Titles
- Solutions Architect
- Enterprise Architect
- Technical Architect
- Director of Architecture
- VP of Engineering
Common Functions
- Engineering
- Information Technology & Security
- Product & Design
- Platform & Ecosystem
Process Design
Creates and optimizes workflows that make complex operations more efficient and effective while maintaining quality and usability.
Example Work
Designing operational workflows, creating process frameworks, optimizing systems, developing standard procedures
Common Job Titles
- Business Process Analyst
- Process Engineer
- Operations Manager
- Director of Operations
- VP of Operations
Common Functions
- Operations & Process
- Engineering
- Product & Project Management
- General
Experience Design
Creates cohesive, engaging experiences across touchpoints by understanding user journeys, behaviors, and emotional needs
Example Work
Mapping customer journeys, designing service blueprints, creating interaction models, developing experience frameworks
Common Job Titles
- UX Designer
- Product Designer
- UX Manager
- Director of Product Design
- VP of Design
Common Functions
- Product & Design
- Marketing & Communications
- Customer Success & Suppor
- General
Visual Design
Creates compelling visual solutions that effectively communicate messages and enhance user experiences while maintaining brand consistency.
Example Work
Designing user interfaces, creating brand assets, developing visual systems, crafting data visualizations
Common Job Titles
- UI Designer
- Visual Designer
- Design Manager
- Creative Director
- VP of Design
Common Functions
- Product & Design
- Marketing & Communications
- Innovation & R&D
- General
Creative Direction
Leads creative vision and strategy across brand, product, and marketing initiatives while maintaining cohesive design language and storytelling.
Example Work
Brand creative in marketing, product vision in product teams, content direction, creative strategy development
Common Job Titles
- Design Manager
- Art Director
- Creative Director
- Executive Creative Director
- VP of Creative
Common Functions
- Strategy & Planning
- Marketing & Communications
- Product & Design
- Innovation & R&D
Content Creation
Develops clear, purposeful communications that achieve specific objectives through understanding audience needs and crafting appropriate messaging.
Example Work
Writing marketing content, developing documentation, creating educational materials, producing technical guides
Common Job Titles
- Content Writer
- Technical Writer
- Content Manager
- Director of Content
- VP of Content
Common Functions
- Innovation & R&D
- Marketing & Communications
- Product & Design
- General
Strategic Planning
Defines organizational direction and creates actionable plans by analyzing company conditions, market conditions, capabilities, and competitive dynamics.
Example Work
Developing growth strategies, creating market entry plans, defining product roadmaps, planning organizational evolution
Common Job Titles
- Strategy Analyst
- Strategy Manager
- Strategic Planning Manager
- Director of Strategy
- VP of Strategy
Common Functions
- Strategy & Planning
- Innovation & R&D
- Operations & Process
- General
Brand Strategy
Shapes and evolves brand identity, positioning, and expression to create meaningful connections with target audiences and drive business value.
Example Work
Developing brand strategy, creating positioning frameworks, designing identity systems, crafting brand narratives
Common Job Titles
- Brand Manager
- Brand Director
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Marketing
- VP of Marketing
Common Functions
- Marketing & Communications
- Strategy & Planning
- Innovation & R&D
- General
Corporate Development
Identifies and executes strategic opportunities for organizational growth through partnerships, acquisitions, and strategic investments.
Example Work
Managing M&A processes, developing partnership strategies, evaluating investment opportunities, structuring strategic deals
Common Job Titles
- Business Development Manager
- Corporate Development Manager
- Director of Business Development
- VP of Corporate Development
- VP of Strategy
Common Functions
- Legal & Compliance
- Strategy & Planning
- Finance
- Partnerships & Business Development
Product Design
Shapes solutions that meet user needs and business objectives through iterative design thinking and deep understanding of user behavior.
Example Work
Creating user interfaces, developing interaction patterns, designing product features, crafting user experiences
Common Job Titles
- Product Designer
- UX Designer
- Design Manager
- Director of Product Design
- VP of Product
Common Functions
- Product & Design
- Innovation & R&D
- Engineering
- General
Technical Development
Builds and implements technical solutions through coding, testing, and maintenance while ensuring reliability, scalability, and maintainability.
Example Work
Software development, hardware engineering, platform development, tools development, technical implementation
Common Job Titles
- Software Engineer
- Technical Lead
- Engineering Manager
- Director of Engineering
- VP of Engineering
Common Functions
- Product & Project Management
- Engineering
- Information Technology & Security
- Platform & Ecosystem
Innovation Development
Creates novel solutions to significant problems by combining creative exploration with practical execution to deliver valuable innovations.
Example Work
Developing new business models, creating breakthrough features, exploring emerging technologies, designing innovative solutions
Common Job Titles
- Product Manager
- Innovation Manager
- Director of Product
- Director of Innovation
- VP of Product
Common Functions
- Innovation & R&D
- Product & Design
- Strategy & Planning
- Engineering
Product Marketing
Develops and executes go-to-market strategies that connect products with customers through compelling positioning, messaging, and launch execution.
Example Work
Creating product positioning, developing launch plans, creating sales enablement materials, managing product communications
Common Job Titles
- Product Marketing Manager
- Marketing Manager
- Director of Product Marketing
- VP of Product Marketing
- VP of Marketing
Common Functions
- Marketing & Communications
- Product & Design
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Operations Management
Ensures efficient and effective delivery of products/services through process optimization, resource management, and systematic improvements.
Example Work
Service operations, development operations, business operations, operational optimization.
Common Job Titles
- Operations Manager
- Program Manager
- Operations Director
- Director of Operations
- VP of Operations
Common Functions
- Operations & Process
- Product & Project Management
- Customer Success & Support
- General
Project and Product Management
Plans, executes, and delivers discrete initiatives by coordinating resources, timelines, and stakeholders to achieve specific objectives.
Example Work
Product launches, engineering initiatives, operational changes, cross-functional coordination
Common Job Titles
- Product Manager
- Program Manager
- Technical Program Manager
- Director of Product
- VP of Product
Common Functions
- Product & Project Management
- Operations & Process
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Change Management
Guides organizations through transitions by managing human impacts, communication, and implementation of organizational changes.
Example Work
Organizational changes, process transformations, product transitions, change implementation
Common Job Titles
- Project Manager
- Program Manager
- Change Manager
- Director of Program Management
- VP of Operations
Common Functions
- People & Recruiting
- Operations & Process
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Account Management
Develops and maintains strategic client relationships to drive mutual value through deep understanding of client needs and effective solution delivery.
Example Work
Managing client relationships, developing account strategies, coordinating solution delivery, driving account growth
Common Job Titles
- Account Manager
- Key Account Manager
- Customer Success Manager
- Director of Account Management
- VP of Sales
Common Functions
- Sales & Revenue
- Customer Success & Support
- Partnerships & Business Development
- General
Community Development
Creates and nurtures engaged groups around shared interests by combining strategic community design with practical engagement tactics.
Example Work
Developing community programs, managing engagement initiatives, creating community content, fostering member connections
Common Job Titles
- Community Manager
- Program Manager
- Director of Community
- VP of Marketing
Common Functions
- Marketing & Communications
- Customer Success & Support
- Partnerships & Business Development
- General
Sales Development
Creates and captures business opportunities through strategic planning, relationship building, and systematic execution to generate revenue.
Example Work
Developing sales strategies, managing pipeline development, creating account plans, executing growth initiatives
Common Job Titles
- Sales Development Representative
- Account Executive
- Sales Manager
- Director of Sales
- VP of Sales
Common Functions
- Sales & Revenue
- Marketing & Communications
- Partnerships & Business Development
- General
Governance, Risk, & Compliance
Ensures organizational adherence to regulations and standards while maintaining operational effectiveness through systematic oversight and control frameworks.
Example Work
Developing compliance frameworks, managing audit processes, creating governance policies, implementing control systems
Common Job Titles
- Risk Analyst
- Compliance Manager
- Risk Manager
- Director of Risk & Compliance
- VP of Risk
Common Functions
- Risk Management
- Legal & Compliance
- Information Technology & Security
- Operations & Process
Financial Management
Ensures accuracy and effectiveness of financial operations through systematic oversight and analytical rigor to maintain financial integrity.
Example Work
Managing financial controls, implementing accounting processes, conducting audits, maintaining compliance standards
Common Job Titles
- Financial Controller
- Finance Manager
- Director of Finance
- VP of Finance
- CFO
Common Functions
- Finance
- Operations & Process
- Risk Management
- General
Ecosystem Development
Creates and nurtures platform/partnership ecosystems that drive network effects and sustainable growth through strategic design and operations.
Example Work
Managing platform ecosystems, developing partner programs, implementing ecosystem metrics, designing growth strategies
Common Job Titles
- Partner Manager
- Strategic Partnership Manager
- Director of Partnerships
- VP of Business Development
- VP of Partnerships
Common Functions
- Innovation & R&D
- Platform & Ecosystem
- Partnerships & Business Development
- Strategy & Planning
Revenue Operations
Optimizes revenue-generating processes across sales, marketing, and customer success through systematic analysis and operational improvements.
Example Work
Managing sales operations, optimizing revenue processes, implementing sales technology, analyzing performance metrics
Common Job Titles
- Revenue Operations Analyst
- Sales Operations Manager
- Director of Revenue Operations
- VP of Revenue Operations
- VP of Sales
Common Functions
- Marketing & Communications
- Sales & Revenue
- Operations & Process
- Finance
Service Delivery
Ensures consistent, high-quality delivery of services to customers through operational excellence and customer experience management.
Example Work
Managing service operations, coordinating implementation projects, maintaining service quality, optimizing delivery processes
Common Job Titles
- Implementation Manager
- Customer Success Manager
- Services Manager
- Director of Professional Services
- VP of Customer Success
Common Functions
- Customer Success & Support
- Operations & Process
- Product & Project Management
- General
People Development
Grows individual and team capabilities to enhance organizational performance through systematic learning approaches and development programs.
Example Work
Designing learning programs, managing development initiatives, creating capability frameworks, implementing training systems
Common Job Titles
- Learning & Development Manager
- Training Manager
- L&D Manager
- Director of L&D
- VP of People
Common Functions
- People & Recruiting
- Operations & Process
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Organizational Development
Designs and implements organizational changes to improve effectiveness through systematic assessment and strategic intervention approaches.
Example Work
Managing organizational change, developing culture initiatives, implementing transformation programs, designing org structures
Common Job Titles
- HR Business Partner
- Organization Development Manager
- Director of HR
- VP of HR
- VP of People
Common Functions
- People & Recruiting
- Strategy & Planning
- Operations & Process
- General
Talent Acquisition
Identifies and attracts the right talent through strategic workforce planning and effective recruitment processes to build organizational capabilities.
Example Work
Managing recruitment processes, developing talent strategies, implementing hiring programs, building talent pipelines
Common Job Titles
- Technical Recruiter
- Recruiting Manager
- Talent Acquisition Manager
- Director of Talent Acquisition
- VP of People
Common Functions
- People & Recruiting
- Operations & Process
- Strategy & Planning
- General
Negotiation
Structures and negotiates significant business agreements by combining strategic assessment with negotiation skills to create mutual value.
Example Work
Negotiating partnerships, structuring agreements, managing M&A transactions, creating strategic alliances
Common Job Titles
- Business Development Manager
- Partnerships Manager
- Director of Business Development
- VP of Business Development
- VP of Sales
Common Functions
- Partnerships & Business Development
- Sales & Revenue
- Legal & Compliance
- Strategy & Planning
Campaign Development
Creates integrated marketing campaigns that drive specific outcomes through strategic messaging, creative execution, and coordinated delivery.
Example Work
Designing campaign strategies, developing creative concepts, coordinating multi-channel execution, measuring campaign performance
Common Job Titles
- Marketing Manager
- Campaign Manager
- Director of Marketing
- VP of Marketing
- VP of Growth
Common Functions
- Marketing & Communications
- Strategy & Planning
- Innovation & R&D
- General
Sustainability Management
Develops and implements environmental and social responsibility initiatives that create business value while ensuring sustainable operations.
Example Work
Managing sustainability programs, developing ESG strategies, implementing environmental initiatives, creating impact measurements
Common Job Titles
- Sustainability Manager
- ESG Manager
- Director of Sustainability
- VP of Sustainability
- VP of Operations
Common Functions
- Strategy & Planning
- Operations & Process
- Innovation & R&D
- General
