AI Vendor Strategy & Platform Governance Director

Sidley Austin LLP (IL LLP); Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 200,000 - 264,000; Full time

Job summary

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago seeks an AI Vendor Evaluations & Management Associate Director to lead evaluation, selection, and ongoing governance of AI tools for the firm's legal and business needs. You will collaborate across IT, Information Security, Risk, General Counsel, and Procurement to deploy AI solutions, stay current with market trends, and mentor a team while managing vendor relationships.

The role emphasizes evidence-based recommendations, licensing governance, and scalable processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in liberal arts, technology, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Minimum 8 years of experience in product management, technology evaluation, vendor management, or a similar role.
• Proven experience evaluating, piloting, or procuring AI or enterprise software tools with rigorous assessments.
• Experience managing enterprise software platforms, including user management and license governance.
• Broad knowledge of AI tools for legal work and ability to stay current with evolving market.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a team in a fast-moving environment.
• Experience managing executive-level vendor relationships, negotiations, and escalations.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills bridging vendors, IT, and leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation and selection of legal and general-purpose AI tools with frameworks and scoring.
• Oversee relationships with AI and technology vendors, including performance and contracts.
• Roll out and manage general-purpose AI platforms with governance, licensing, and usage monitoring.
• Develop recommendations on AI products based on requirements, user feedback, and market trends.
• Coordinate vendor procurement, security review, data protection, and deployment with stakeholders.
• Monitor developments in the legal AI market and provide insights to leadership.
• Establish processes and standards for AI tool evaluation, governance, and performance assessment.
• Collaborate with practice groups to translate business needs into criteria for vendors and tools.
• Manage, coach, and develop team members and set performance expectations.
• Provide leadership on vendor and platform issues to support adoption of Firm-approved AI tools.

Skills

Vendor management

AI evaluation

Leadership

Stakeholder communication

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree

Experience in tech evaluation

Job description

Sidley Austin LLP in Chicago seeks an AI Vendor Evaluations & Management Associate Director to lead evaluation, selection, and ongoing governance of AI tools for the firm's legal and business needs. You will collaborate across IT, Information Security, Risk, General Counsel, and Procurement to deploy AI solutions, stay current with market trends, and mentor a team while managing vendor relationships.

The role emphasizes evidence-based recommendations, licensing governance, and scalable processes