[Hiring] Director of Product @Recidiviz

Role Description

Recidiviz is thrilled to be hiring a Director of Product and Design to join our team! We're a growing, fast-moving group building technology that helps government leaders safely reduce incarceration and improve outcomes for people in the criminal justice system.

This role sits at the center of Recidiviz's ability to scale. As Director of Product and Design, you’ll lead and develop a team of experienced product managers and designers—people with years of domain expertise and a deep commitment to the mission.

Your job is to make each of them sharper, more supported, and more impactful:

• Setting strategic context
• Building the people systems that help them grow
• Creating the conditions for them to build products that actually get used on a daily and weekly basis

You'll report to the Chief Impact Officer and serve as a key partner on product direction, team health, operational standards, and organizational strategy as Recidiviz scales nationally. Some travel to our state partners, internal team gatherings, and offsites is expected.

Core Responsibilities

• Own the outcomes: Drive positive correctional outcomes by expanding product-market-impact fit, building long-term organizational sustainability, and scaling what works to more states.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team: Manage and mentor PMs, designers, and emerging leaders; build cohesive cross-functional rituals; streamline team operations.
• Build cross-functional trust: Partner closely with engineering, data science, state engagement, and marketing.
• Set strategic context: Define a clear direction so every PM and designer understands where their area fits, what to prioritize, and why it matters.
• Modernize workflows and execution: Help the team stay ahead of shifts in technology by modeling AI-assisted workflows.

Wild Success

• Recidiviz’s product portfolio achieves deeper impact—measured by high weekly active tool usage, stronger client executive support, and steady launch momentum.
• Multiple team members have grown into meaningfully new scope—a first-time manager, a senior IC owning a harder problem, or someone who was stuck and is now thriving.
• User feedback loops and reusable components are cleanly integrated into product cycles, eliminating redundant work and accelerating state deployments.

Qualifications

• Deep care for the growth and wellbeing of the people you manage.
• 8+ years in product management or design, with at least 3 years managing a team of PMs and/or designers.
• Exceptional communication and relationship skills.
• Experience coaching PMs and designers toward management readiness.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity, with the ability to help teams create clarity and momentum.
• Strong strategic instincts.
• A builder's mindset paired with strategic rigor.
• Ability and willingness to travel, about one trip per quarter.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience working in or closely with mission-driven, nonprofit, or public sector organizations.
• Personal or professional experience working with the criminal justice system.
• Experience in a high-growth startup.
• Exposure to AI-assisted product development.
• A track record of elevating strong PM and design ICs into more strategic, senior thinkers.

Compensation

The compensation for this role is: $201,250. Compensation is standardized based on roles and responsibilities, ensuring equitable compensation and responsible stewardship of our resources.

Benefits

• Effective, extremely thoughtful colleagues, working together on a mission that matters.
• 90% medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your dependents.
• Flexible time off, including 20 days of PTO, 3 days of paid volunteering time, and 13 paid holidays per year.
• 401(k) retirement plan with 5% company match and no vesting period.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Complimentary One Medical membership (availability based on location).
• Partnership with Carrot to provide employees with inclusive fertility and family-forming benefits.
• Monthly ClassPass credit for personal wellness.
• Free mental health support via Talkspace.
• Well-located offices in Oakland and Manhattan, with the flexibility to work remotely or go into either office as you choose.
• An annual company offsite and other ad-hoc gatherings.
• All the exhilarating challenges and stretch opportunities of a tech startup, combined with the mission-driven heart of a nonprofit.