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Job Description:
This Principal Product Manager – AI Solutions role is a hands-on, individual contributor position that creates and delivers AI-first product capabilities for Vertex customers by translating ambiguous problems into clear hypotheses, product requirements, and roadmap priorities. The role partners closely with tax domain subject matter experts (SMEs), engineering, UX, go-to-market, and customer success to ship production-ready AI that is trusted and compliant, integrates into workflows, and demonstrates value through evaluation, monitoring, and performance metrics. This role is not a tax SME; it is an innovation and product leadership role that identifies opportunities, prototypes solutions, and scales what works.
Required Qualifications
Seeking a minimum of six (6) years of relevant product management experience. Principal-level success includes owning multi-quarter roadmaps, aligning cross-org stakeholders, and leading complex, cross-functional initiatives from ambiguous problem definition through 0→1 discovery, launch, rapid iteration, and scaled releases with measurable customer and business outcomes.
2+ years of direct AI experience (e.g., system design and/or development).
Experience to define AI product requirements beyond feature scope, encompassing data strategy, learning signals, feedback loops, and measurable success criteria.
Strong command of AI product quality and reliability, including how drift, regressions, and performance tradeoffs affect user trust and adoption.
Excellent product leadership fundamentals, including systems-level thinking, executive communication, and the ability to lead through influence in complex, matrixed organizations.
Set and own standards for AI product effectiveness, including success metrics, monitoring, and continuous improvement across quality, reliability, usage, cost, and performance.
AI fluency (required): able to prototype, evaluate, and operationalize AI-first capabilities in partnership with engineering and SMEs.
Define features and capabilities by creating lightweight prototypes; translate AI capabilities and constraints into clear product requirements.
Lead evaluation, tuning, and training in partnership with engineering and SMEs, including defining evaluation criteria and interpreting results.
Refine requirements, UX behaviors, acceptance criteria, and release readiness decisions by connecting evolving AI capabilities to customer problems.
Apply responsible AI principles (traceability, privacy, security, bias awareness, transparency, auditability) within owned features and capabilities.
Maintain working fluency in modern AI/ML concepts (LLM-based solutions, agents, data pipelines) and use that fluency to experiment directly for faster product discovery and prototyping.
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in engineering, business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience.
Experience identifying cross-product innovation opportunities and driving roadmap alignment through APIs, integrations, and shared platform capabilities.
Experience mentoring or coaching junior product owners on AI fluency and product development practices.
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.
Pay Transparency Statement:
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.
Vertex, Inc. Berwyn, Illinois, USA Office
Berwyn, United States
Vertex, Inc. Naperville, Illinois, USA Office
40 Shuman Boulevard Suite 160, Naperville, Illinois, United States, 60563
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