The Director - AI Product Management owns an AI-first product domain end-to-end at Vertex, Inc., from product strategy and roadmap through customer experience and commercial readiness. This is a Director-level, hands-on leadership role with initial direct reports and a growing team. The role requires someone who operates both strategically and tactically: engaging directly with customers, unifying AI capabilities, agents, workflows, and platform integrations under a coherent product strategy, and translating customer learning into product priorities and roadmap decisions with urgency. The incoming director is expected to form a market positioning view within the first 30 days, engage actively with customer and onboarding data within 60 days, and deliver an updated roadmap informed by customer and design partner feedback within 90 days.

• Own the full lifecycle of an AI-first product: strategy, roadmap, commercial readiness, and customer experience.
• Unify product outcomes, AI agents, capabilities, workflows, platform integrations, and SKU considerations under a single, coherent product strategy.
• Engage directly with customers to identify what is and is not working; translate insights, onboarding data, and design partner feedback into product priorities and roadmap decisions.
• Identify product gaps, prioritize improvements, and drive resolution with urgency in a hands-on, customer-facing environment.
• Pitch and demonstrate the product to customers and stakeholders; represent Vertex in customer-facing settings and at industry forums.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a small and expanding team of direct reports; mobilize cross-functional partners to deliver against product outcomes.
• Partner with engineering, AI, and platform teams to integrate agents, workflows, and capabilities into a unified customer experience.
• Drive product commercialization, maintain competitive awareness, and contribute to differentiated market positioning.
• Occasional travel required.

Required Qualifications

• 12+ years of product management experience in SaaS or cloud environments
• 5 years’ experience delivering commercial SaaS or AI-first products to market
• Experience with AI-first product development, including agent-based workflows and platform and ecosystem integration; proven ability to design products that bring together AI agents, capabilities, and integrations into a unified customer outcome
• Customer-facing product leadership: experience working directly with customers, pitching and demonstrating products, and translating customer feedback into product decisions and roadmap priorities
• Excellence project management skills to identify product gaps, prioritize improvements, and drive outcomes rapidly in a hands-on, high-urgency environment
• Experience with people management and demonstrated ability to influence implementation, sales engineering, and marketing to drive product success
• Excellent communication and presentation skills representing a product to customers, senior leadership, and external audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in tax, accounting, or a related regulated domain; experience in the tax technology space is particularly compelling.
• People-management experience with a track record of developing and growing direct reports.
• Commercial AI product experience including product SKU design and go-to-market execution
• Experience in customer implementation, sales engineering, professional services, or UX, with a track record of translating customer learning into product decisions.
• Bachelor’s degree in business, or a related field; equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience accepted in lieu of a formal degree.

COMMENTS:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals in this position. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.

Vertex Values: Together We Win

We're building a team of people who are passionate about making an impact for our customers and committed to how that impact is achieved. Our values define the behaviors, mindset, and culture that make Vertex a great place to grow and do meaningful work.

Play to Win or We Don't Play — If we choose to do something, we're choosing to do it because we plan to win. That mindset raises our bar on product quality, customer outcomes, and how we show up for one another.

Work As a Team, Putting the Customer At the Core — Our customers are our true north. Whatever your role, ask: how will this help a customer succeed today? We earn trust through outcomes, not promises.

Achieve Excellence With Integrity, Speed, and Agility — The market isn't slowing down. We'll move faster, adapt quickly, and never compromise on doing things the right way — for teammates, customers, and partners.

Innovate Boldly With a Growth Mindset — Progress demands smart risk. We'll try new approaches, learn fast, and keep pushing the boundaries — especially where AI can remove friction and unlock value.

Communicate with Care, Candor and Transparency — Honest, constructive conversations make us better. Let's speak plainly about what's working and what isn't and help each other improve.

US Base Salary Range: $157,900.00 - $205,400.00

Base pay offered to new hires may vary based upon factors including relevant industry and job-related skills and experience, geographic location, and business needs.* The range displayed does not encompass the full potential of the role, which allows for further growth and career progression.

In addition, as a part of our total compensation package, this role may be eligible for the Vertex Bonus Plan (VOB), a role-specific sales commission/bonus, and/or equity grants.

Learn more about Life at Vertex and connect with your recruiter for more details regarding Vertex's compensation and benefit programs.

*In no case will your pay fall below applicable local minimum wage requirements.