SéBASTIEN SIMPSON

AI-AUGMENTED PROGRAM LEAD.
DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND DESIGN OPERATIONS.

20 years of experience leading complex digital programs at the intersection of design, product and technology - bringing clarity, momentum, and delivery excellence for global brands.

Headshot of Sébastien Simpson, Program Manager and Design Operations Leader, Denver CO

BRANDS I’VE LED PROGRAMS FOR  

Fendi logo
L'Oreal logo
Cartier logo
Dell logo
Morgan Stanley logo
BBC Sport logo
Verizon logo
Japan Tobacco International logo
Wells Fargo logo
Cisco logo
Land Rover logo
Philip Morris International logo
I had the pleasure of collaborating with Sébastien during his tenure at L’Oréal USA, and I can confidently say that he is an exceptional leader in his domain, with deep digital, marketing, product design, and technology expertise. His contributions are truly outstanding.
— Pritesh Davda, Chief Information Officer | L'Oréal USA.
At Code and Theory, Sébastien consistently brought operational clarity to complex digital initiatives. He brings the pragmatic operational leadership that modern digital initiatives need.
— Matthieu Mingasson, Managing Director, Enterprise Transformation | Code and Theory.

WHAT I DO  

  • AI-Augmented Program Management.

    I lead large projects and coordinate and oversee groups of related projects that support an organization's goals and objectives. I manage (often distributed) cross-functional teams spanning from marketing, strategy, UX, UI, and technology.

    How I use AI in program delivery
    I use AI to reduce noise and increase signal across delivery: faster synthesis, clearer decisions, earlier risk detection, and better stakeholder alignment — while keeping humans accountable for judgment and outcomes.

  • Digital Product Design & Delivery.

    I deliver digital products, intersecting strategic product vision grounded in quanti and quali insights, project/program management and operational and technology acumen.

    I own the end-to-end project and product lifecycle, from strategy, to design and technology development.

    I am versed into both waterfall and agile/scrum methodologies.

  • Design Operations Leadership.

    I create space for creativity: I engineer process, and facilitate cross-functional collaboration at-scale to make the day-to-day simple and efficient. I build frameworks + methodologies that streamline and define the cadence of business.

    I work with UX designers, UI designers, experience strategists, content designers/strategists, UX researchers.

  • Client Advisory and New Business.

    My agency background taught me to build lasting ties with clients, and act as a partner and a trusted advisor in their initiatives.

    I lead new business opportunities, along with agency cross-functional teams.

  • Change Management & Strategy.

    I diagnose complex issues and operational roadblocks, introducing effective outcomes through exhaustive discovery, audits, and solutions architecture.

  • Partnerships, Culture & Communications.

    As a cross-functional partner + collaboration leader, I take care to foster confidence and form relationships that are built on communication and mutual trust.

    I value curiosity, kindness, diversity, and ingenuity.

  • Feedback & Learning Loops.

    I put an emphasis on measurement and evaluation within the product life cycle, with feedback loops that foster clarity, quantify impact, and identify risks before they ignite.

portfolio

  • Sebastien Simpson - L’Oréal Maybelline eCommerce program, +120% unique visits

    L’Oréal | Maybelline

    Scope: global

    Keywords: #eCommerce, #CPG, #Beauty, #UX, #Design, #Technology

    At L’Oréal, I was responsible for global strategy, design, development, and deployment of Maybelline’s digital properties (eCommerce, mobile applications, in-store digital experience).

    Results: unique visits: +120%, engagement rate: +50% in 6 months (global average).

    MaybellineNewYork.com

  • Sebastien Simpson - Wells Fargo UX Design Program Management

    Wells Fargo

    Scope: USA

    Keywords: #Web, #Mobile, #PaymentApplications, #Banking #Accessibility #UX #Design

    Leading UX and Design Program Management for the full payment applications portfolio (web, mobile).

    Results: digital products implementation velocity: +35% in 6 months.

    WellsFargo.com

  • Land Rover - client of Sebastien Simpson, program management

    Land Rover USA

    Scope: USA

    Keywords: #Web, #Automotive, #CRM, #DigitalMarketing

    Leading digital marketing, CRM program and website design and production for Land Rover USA.

    Results: +80% unique visits; + 50% handraisers in 1 year.

    LandRoverUSA.com

  • Nordic Spirit - client of Sebastien Simpson, program management

    Japan Tobacco International | Nordic Spirit

    Scope: Europe

    Keywords: #Web, #eCommerce, #UX, #Design, #Technology

    Leading strategy, UX, design, development, and deployment of the global instance of the website; overseeing localization in European countries.

    Results: speed to market | 4 months turnaround.

    Nordic Spirit UK instance

  • Armani Beauty - client of Sebastien Simpson, program management

    L’Oréal | Armani Beauty USA

    Scope: USA

    Keywords: #Web, #eCommerce, #Luxury, #Beauty, #UX, #Design, #Technology

    Leading UX, design, development and deployment of the US instance of the eCommerce website.

    Results: +50% unique visits within 6 months of launch.

    GiorgioArmaniBeauty.com

  • Philip Morris International - client of Sebastien Simpson, program management

    Philip morris international | IQOS

    Scope: global

    Keywords: #Web, #Retail, #Digital, #ExperienceDesign, #ServiceDesign, #UX

    Leading programs that intersect digital and physical retail initiatives, I led the design and implementation of the full offline/online ecosystem for IQOS, the top Reduced Risk Product for PMI.

    Results: digital products implementation velocity: +25%.

    Creation and rollout of new stores in Europe and Asia, including the new visual identity and digital touch screens, growing sales by 30% at the POS.

    Iqos.com

NEED MORE DETAILS ON METHODOLOGY AND SIZES OF TEAMS I LED? CONTACT ME

testimonials

“Sébastien has been instrumental in driving the design, development and deployment of the global digital ecosystem for Maybelline New York, in a complex and ambiguous environment. He's a great partner, very knowledgeable and overall a nice person!"

Emmanuel Miran, Global Chief Technology Officer, Wella Company

"Sébastien brings together business, design, and technology; he's a translator between disciplines. With him on board, you know you're going to deliver a top-notch product!"

Greg Whitescarver, CTO, Revaire; previously Group Director, Technology at Huge

"Sébastien and I worked together twice in the past, first at an independent digital agency and then at a large multinational holding company. He aligns stakeholders to deliver award-winning digital work on time and budget—and brings world-class agency experience. I'm proud to call him a friend personally and delighted to recommend him professionally.

David Cherry, EVP Director of Customer Experience, Biolumina, Omnicom

"Sébastien has an exceptional ability to navigate between high-level strategy and the finer details with ease. He remains composed in challenging situations and infuses a sense of enjoyment into any team he joins. His humility is impressive and not often seen in others."

Jon Karlin, Delivery Lead, Work & Co / Accenture Interactive

“Super strong program manager, deeply passionate about design, tech and digital overall. I'd be happy to collaborate with him again.”

Pierre Kremer, Business Transformation & Technology Leader, Sr. Client Partner at Globant

ABOUT ME 

Outdoor café seating with wicker chairs and a red round table on a sidewalk, against a red wooden background.

With 20 years of experience in digital product development and design operations leadership, I've helped organizations across industries transform their digital presence and operational capabilities.

I've worked with Fortune 500 companies and leading agencies, consistently delivering measurable results while fostering collaborative team environments.

A few companies I’ve worked for:

Mini Bio:

Born and raised in Paris, France.

Education: Ecole Alsacienne for most of my childhood and teen years. Focus on mathematics at Lycée Louis-Le-Grand, then Masters in Business and Economics at Omnes. Finally, post-graduate degree in web design and technology, project management at Gobelins, l’Ecole de l’Image.


After Paris, living in New York, then San Francisco, Geneva, and most recently Denver, CO.

Dual French + US citizenship.
Fluent French and English.

Sébastien Simpson (also known as Sebastien Simpson, Sebastian Simpson, or Seb Simpson) is an AI-augmented program lead based in Denver, Colorado, specializing in digital product delivery and design operations. With over 20 years of experience, he has led programs for L’Oréal, Wells Fargo, Verizon, LVMH, Cisco,and other Fortune 500 brands.