Director, Product Management & Design

Simpson-Thacher-; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 300,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP seeks a Director of Product Management & Design to shape vision, roadmap, and design direction for core practice solutions, across transactional and litigation matters. You will lead discovery, define requirements, and translate client needs into scalable, high-impact offerings.

You will collaborate with attorneys, KM, IT, data analytics, and external vendors to advance AI-enabled workflow platforms while managing a global team and budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; JD/MBA preferred for leadership track.
• 7+ years leading product management, UX/design, or technology.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams including attorneys, clients, IT, and operations.

Responsibilities

• Define vision, strategy, and roadmaps for practice-facing and client-facing solutions.
• Lead discovery, requirements gathering, and prioritization with stakeholders.
• Oversee portfolio of custom-built and SaaS solutions from definition to lifecycle.
• Mentor global Product Management & Design team and manage budgets.

Skills

Product management

UX design

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/related field

JD or MBA preferred

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Figma

Job description

The Director, Product Management & Design is a strategic leadership role responsible for shaping the vision, roadmap, design direction, and lifecycle management of custom-built and SaaS practice solutions across the Firm. The role partners with clients, attorneys, and business teams to identify unmet needs, translate those needs into intuitive product experiences, and deliver solutions that improve legal service delivery and client experience.Essential Job Duties & ResponsibilitiesStrategy and LeadershipPartner with practice group leaders, KM Lawyers, Practice Management Directors, clients, and other key stakeholders to understand business objectives, user needs, and opportunities for custom-built and SaaS product solutionsDefine and communicate product vision, strategy, and roadmaps for practice-facing and client-facing solutions, balancing business value, user value, technical feasibility, and portfolio prioritiesCollaborate with firm and practice leadership, KM, IT, Engineering, Data Science, and other stakeholders to prioritize product investments and ensure product decisions align with Firm and practice objectivesMaintain strong market intelligence and external perspective through education, research, networking, and participation in professional and industry organizations to stay current on product management, legal technology, UX, user research, and AI-enabled service delivery trendsProduct Management, Design, and Practice Technology SolutionsOversee the Firm's portfolio of custom-built and SaaS practice solutions for transactional and litigation matters, including product definition, lifecycle management, enhancement planning, and ongoing supportLead/support flagship product opportunities for the Firm e.g., a new platform approach to AI-enabled Practice model, etc.Lead discovery, business analysis, and requirements-gathering sessions with attorneys, clients, and business support stakeholders to identify, document, validate, and prioritize user needsTranslate complex business objectives and user insights into product requirements, features, user stories, acceptance criteria, and measurable outcomesGuide UX strategy and design activities, including journey mapping, workflow analysis, information architecture, prototyping, usability testing, and iterative design of attorney- and client-facing experiencesBuild user research capabilities by developing research plans, conducting interviews and usability studies, synthesizing findings, and using evidence to inform product prioritization and design decisionsCollaborate with attorneys, KM, IT, Data Analytics, and other internal teams to orchestrate pilot programs, proof-of-concept initiatives, comparative software evaluations, product testing, and release planningCultivate and manage SaaS vendor relationships, stay informed about product capabilities and roadmaps, and work with vendors to drive improvements that support the Firm's practice technology objectivesClient Product SolutionsHelp lead the delivery of client product solutions in AI and technology, working with attorneys, clients, and internal teams to translate client needs into scalable, high-impact offeringsPartner with client teams and practice leaders to identify opportunities where productized technology, automation, AI-enabled workflows, or data-driven tools can enhance legal service delivery and client experienceCoordinate pilots, adoption plans, feedback loops, and success measures for client-facing solutions to support effective implementation and continuous improvementTeam ManagementLead the Product Management & Design team globally, ensuring uniformity in recruitment, career development, training, and the services provided by the groupProvide coaching and mentorship to team members in product management, UX design, user research, business analysis, and administration of the assigned technology portfolio, and conduct semi-annual and annual performance evaluationsOversee the operational budget for the Product Management & Design function, ensuring initiatives are delivered on time and within budgetEducation RequirementsBachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, design, product management, or a related field is requiredJD, MBA, or graduate degree in design, human-computer interaction, or a related field is preferredSkills and Experience RequirementsMinimum of seven years leading product management, UX/design, or technology; minimum of ten years in the legal fieldProven experience leading multidisciplinary teams comprising product managers, designers, user researchers, technologists, business analysts, and legal practitionersA proactive problem-solver with the ability to address product, design, technical, and collaborative situations in collaboration with attorneys and professional staffA strategic thinker with a proven track record of working with cross-functional teams to define, build, launch, and continuously improve intelligent custom and SaaS solutionsA thorough understanding of product management practices, UX and user research methods, SaaS platforms, emerging technologies, and their impact on legal service deliveryExceptional communication and influencing skills, with the ability to distill and convey complex information in a clear, concise mannerStrong product roadmap, prioritization, project management, and organizational skills, adept at managing multiple stakeholders, deadlines, and prioritiesA consultative, user-centered approach and a strong customer service orientation, able to engage with Firm and practice group leadership, attorneys, clients, and other internal and external stakeholders effectivelySalary InformationNY Only: The estimated base salary range for this position is $300,000 to $350,000 at the time of posting.The actual salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. This role is exempt meaning it is not overtime pay eligible.Simpson Thacher will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position.Privacy NoticeFor information about how Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP collects and processes your personal information, please refer to our Privacy Notice available at https://www.stblaw.com/other/privacy-notice .Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is committed to a collegial work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. The Firm prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status. This Policy pertains to every aspect of an individual’s relationship with the Firm, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, training and development, promotion, transfer, discipline, termination, and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment.#LI-Hybrid