Full-Time

Senior Product Manager

Grant, Cash Advance

Kikoff

Kikoff

201-500 employees

Credit-building fintech with monitoring and reporting

Compensation Overview

$200k - $280k/yr

San Francisco, CA, USA

In Person

On-site in San Francisco; must work at HQ.

Category
Product (1)
Required Skills
Data Science
SQL
Machine Learning
Data Analysis

Get referred to Kikoff

See people who can refer or advise you

Requirements
  • Fluent in SQL (or comparable) and comfortable in the analytics stack, able to pull and manipulate data without help; previously worked as a data scientist or similar role
  • The ability to derive reasonable targets for metrics from first principles, and knowing when to seek external benchmarks
  • A track record of finding growth opportunities by segmenting, decomposing funnels, and quantifying opportunities that turned into measurable wins
  • Real experimentation rigor: design and interpret A/B tests, reason about statistical significance and sample size, and resist over-reading noisy results
  • Extremely data-driven and constantly looking for the reason behind the data; pulling the data yourself is a requirement
  • Excellent writing and communication skills to translate analysis into a clear point of view and align stakeholders
  • Readiness to roll up your sleeves across the whole product from analysis to copy to comms and measurement
  • Empathy for consumers and passion for solving consumer financial problems in new ways
  • Comfort in the drivers seat with ability to know when to delegate
  • Experience on digital consumer products for at least 4 years, ideally including lending/fintech or economically complex product, preferably in a fast-paced startup
  • Interest in modern consumer financial tools and perspective on how to innovate in this space
Responsibilities
  • Drive growth and optimization for Grant end to end, across acquisition, underwriting and approval, funding and disbursement, repayment and collections, and re-engagement, with a clear line of sight to the metrics that matter at each step
  • Partner closely with data science and engineering on the systems that define the product: ML underwriting models, collection strategies, and multi-rail payment flows. Bring a product point of view to where the model draws the line, how fast money moves, and how repayment is sequenced
  • Independently pull, model, and interrogate the data. You don't wait for an analyst to answer a question; you write the query, build the cohort, and validate the result yourself, then bring others in to go deeper
  • Define what "good" looks like for every metric you touch. Reason from first principles about what a healthy conversion rate, repayment rate, or contribution margin should be, and where a first-principles answer isn't enough, research and cite comparable industry benchmarks to pressure-test your targets
  • Consistently surface new areas of growth and optimization. Segment users, decompose funnels, and follow the "why" behind every number until you find the lever, then quantify the opportunity before you pitch it
  • Design and run a rigorous experimentation program: form sharp hypotheses, size the expected impact in advance, set up clean A/B tests, and read results honestly, including the ones that didn't work
  • Drive strategic insight that shapes roadmaps for engineering, design, and marketing, using data and user stories to build conviction and get the whole team aligned on the highest-leverage bets
  • Balance the levers unique to a lending product, weighing conversion and growth against repayment, risk, and unit economics, and make defensible calls when they're in tension
  • Take direction from leadership on the key objectives your team needs to drive, then outline the roadmap with your product team to achieve those outcomes together
  • Drive the discovery process to form a deep understanding of our users and uncover the features that will best empower them
  • Champion Grant within your team, across the company, and with consumers
Desired Qualifications
  • A genuinely strong data and numbers sense. You're fluent in SQL (or comparable) and comfortable in the analytics stack, you can pull and manipulate data without help or even previously worked as a data scientist.
  • The ability to know what "good" looks like. You can derive a reasonable target for a metric from first principles, and you know when to go find external benchmarks instead of guessing.
  • A track record of finding growth others missed, by segmenting, decomposing funnels, and quantifying opportunities that turned into shipped, measurable wins.
  • Real experimentation rigor. You can design and interpret A/B tests, reason about statistical significance and sample size, and resist the temptation to over-read noisy results.
  • Extremely data-driven and constantly looking for the "why" behind the data to understand what drives user behavior and explains metric patterns. Pulling the data yourself is a requirement, not a plus.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills to translate analysis into a clear point of view, and to align users, teammates, and leadership around it.
  • Readiness to roll up your sleeves across the whole product, from the analysis to the copy to the comms and product touch points to measuring and interpreting results.
  • Empathy for consumers and a passion for solving consumer financial problems in new and innovative ways.
  • You feel comfortable in the driver's seat and have a natural way of knowing how to get to the destination, but also know when it's time for others to drive.
  • You've worked on successful digital consumer products for at least 4 years, ideally including a lending, fintech, or other economically complex product, and preferably in a fast-paced startup environment.
  • An interest in and perspective on modern consumer financial tools, and your own view on how best to innovate in this space.

Kikoff is a fintech service focused on credit building. It helps people with low or no credit establish a positive payment history and improve credit scores without requiring hard credit pulls. The product offers tools and resources to understand and manage credit, including dispute assistance, rent reporting, and access to additional tradelines. It also provides credit monitoring reports to highlight problem areas and an optional Autopay feature to prevent missed due dates. Revenue likely comes from service fees, and the company has grown to over a million users with a strong app presence (notably a top rating in the iOS Finance category). Compared with competitors, Kikoff differentiates itself by offering a no hard-pull approach, accessible features for those with limited credit history, and integrated education and management tools. The company’s goal is to help individuals build and grow their credit safely and sustainably through easy-to-use resources and ongoing monitoring.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

Series B

Total Funding

$42.5M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2019

Get referred to Kikoff

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Kikoff said 2025 revenue topped $300 million, more than doubling, while staying profitable.
  • Fynn generated 700,000 messages since January 2026, and 80% of users reported better understanding.
  • TheGuarantors partnership offers free retroactive rent reporting, a compelling acquisition funnel for renters.

What critics are saying

  • CFPB complaint data showed 410 complaints through July 26, 2026, dominated by debt-collection disputes.
  • Kikoff's 2026 legal expansion signals heavier scrutiny around disclosures, credit reporting, and debt negotiations.
  • Chime, Self, Grow Credit, and Experian Boost compress Kikoff's low-price moat; switching remains easy.

What makes Kikoff unique

  • Kikoff bundles credit building, debt negotiation, disputes, and rent reporting in one low-cost app.
  • Fynn reached every user in 2026, pairing credit coaching with actionable account-specific guidance.
  • Partnerships with TheGuarantors and bureaus Equifax and TransUnion embed Kikoff into renters' workflows.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Stock Options

Unlimited Paid Time Off

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-5%

1 year growth

-2%

2 year growth

-2%
Citybiz
Apr 21st, 2026
Kikoff names CFO and chief legal officer after revenue tops $300 million.

Kikoff names CFO and chief legal officer after revenue tops $300 million. April 21, 2026 Consumer fintech company Kikoff has appointed John Kaelle as chief financial officer and Robert Mahnke as chief legal officer, bolstering its executive team after a year of rapid growth that pushed revenue above $300 million. The company said revenue more than doubled in 2025 while remaining profitable, a notable milestone in a fintech sector where many consumer-focused startups have prioritized growth over earnings. Kikoff, which offers credit-building and personal finance tools, said it now serves millions of users across its Kikoff, Grant, and Catch platforms. The twin hires suggest the company is preparing for a more complex next stage that could include broader product expansion, increased regulatory scrutiny, fundraising, or eventual public market readiness. CEO Cynthia Chen said the additions strengthen Kikoff's ability to build on recent momentum. "John and Rob are exactly the caliber of leaders we need at this stage of Kikoff's growth," she said. Kaelle brings more than 25 years of finance experience across consumer, marketplace, and software businesses. Most recently, he served as CFO of resale marketplace StockX, where he was the first finance leader and helped build systems to support global growth. Earlier, he was CFO of Marin Software and helped lead the company through its 2013 IPO. He also held senior finance roles at Shutterfly during its public-company expansion. That background could be particularly relevant for Kikoff as it scales financial operations, investor reporting, and capital planning while maintaining profitability. Mahnke joins with nearly three decades of legal experience spanning government enforcement, litigation, and fintech regulation. He previously served as a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division, where he worked on major technology and financial markets merger investigations. He later held senior legal roles at eBay and PayPal before becoming chief legal officer at fintech companies including Uplift and Plastiq, where he built compliance and legal organizations across lending, payments, and buy now, pay later products. For Kikoff, that expertise arrives at a time when consumer fintech companies face heightened oversight around lending disclosures, data use, fee structures, and credit reporting practices. Kikoff has focused on helping underserved consumers build credit histories and improve financial health, a segment that continues to attract investor interest as traditional banks pull back from some lower-balance consumer relationships. Companies that can acquire customers efficiently and show strong repayment or retention metrics have become more attractive in a tougher funding market. The company's emphasis on profitability also stands out in the current fintech environment, where investors have shifted away from growth-at-all-costs models toward sustainable margins and disciplined expansion. By adding experienced finance and legal leaders simultaneously, Kikoff appears to be building the infrastructure needed for a larger, more mature operating phase - while signaling confidence that its recent growth can continue.

Business Wire
Apr 7th, 2026
Kikoff launches Fynn, AI credit coach helping users boost scores by up to 74 points

Kikoff, a fintech company helping Americans build credit, has launched Fynn, an AI-powered credit coach that provides personalised financial guidance. Since its pilot launch in January 2026, Fynn has facilitated over 700,000 messages, with 80% of users reporting improved understanding of their credit. Fynn analyses users' credit reports and financial profiles to deliver tailored advice and connect them directly to solutions. Over 17.5% of conversations focus on debt management, with the platform offering AI-powered debt negotiation that achieves average savings of 30%. An internal study showed new members with credit scores below 580 who used Fynn improved their scores by 72-74 points on average over two months, roughly 7 points more than similar members without access. Kikoff plans to evolve Fynn into a proactive coach that anticipates needs and prevents credit mistakes.

01net
Mar 17th, 2026
Kikoff and TheGuarantors partner to help renters build credit.

Kikoff and TheGuarantors partner to help renters build credit. 17 Marzo 2026 Partnership provides free rent reporting, including up to two years of past payments, to help renters build credit while securing housing SAN FRANCISCO-(BUSINESS WIRE)-#Credit-Kikoff, a financial technology company focused on helping consumers build credit and achieve financial security, today announced a partnership with TheGuarantors, a certified B Corp and the nation's leading lease guarantee provider, helping expand housing access for renters while mitigating risk for multifamily owners and operators. Through the partnership, Kikoff and TheGuarantors will offer a free credit-building package to all applicants who interact with TheGuarantors' platform - both renters approved for a Lease Guarantee and those who are not yet able to qualify. The package is free for renter applicants, while existing alternatives in the market cost a minimum of $85 retail value. It includes reporting up to 24 months of past rent payments, along with ongoing reporting of future on-time rent payments to Equifax and TransUnion to help renters build and strengthen their credit profiles. Millions of Americans rely on rental housing each year. Roughly 44 million U.S. households rent their homes, representing about one-third of all households nationwide. Many are increasingly relying on guarantor services because their credit profiles do not meet traditional underwriting standards. Rent is typically their largest recurring monthly expense, yet those payments have historically not helped them build credit. This partnership is designed to support renters as they work towards greater financial stability. Opening Doors to Financial Progress TheGuarantors helps renters qualify for homes by replacing the need for a personal guarantor. Through its insurance-backed lease guarantees, the company enables renters who may not meet traditional application criteria to secure housing while providing financial protection to property owners and operators. Kikoff provides accessible credit-building tools designed to lower barriers to long-term financial opportunity. Together, the companies are connecting housing access with credit building, helping renters translate one of their most consistent financial obligations into measurable progress toward stronger credit profiles. Through this partnership, on-time rent payments will be reported to Equifax and TransUnion, with renters able to receive up to two years of past payment history added to their credit record. "Access to housing is fundamental to financial stability," said Cynthia Chen, Founder and CEO of Kikoff. "Many renters who use guarantor services are early in their credit journey or actively rebuilding. By offering free rent reporting, including past payments, we're helping ensure that responsible renters can achieve measurable credit progress and take another step toward lasting financial stability." By combining lease access with credit reporting, Kikoff and TheGuarantors are helping renters build stronger financial foundations, while improving their ability to qualify for housing independently over time. ABOUT KIKOFF Kikoff is a personal finance platform on a mission to make financial security accessible to everyone. Through simple, radically affordable products powered by technology and AI, Kikoff helps people build credit, lower debt, and move toward lasting financial stability. To date, more than four million people have increased their credit scores by over 240 million points. Kikoff's growing suite of products also helps users reduce debt, save money, access liquidity, and unlock greater financial opportunity. Learn more at Kikoff.com or by downloading the Kikoff app. ABOUT THEGUARANTORS TheGuarantors is a fintech leader redefining access for renters and risk mitigation for multifamily owners and operators. Through insurance-backed lease guarantees and AI-driven renter underwriting, the company supports more inclusive housing access while helping operators secure rent roll and minimize bad debt. Trusted by 9 of the top 10 U.S. multifamily operators, TheGuarantors is available in more than 3.5 million units nationwide and protects more than $6 billion in lease value. Learn more at theguarantors.com.

Associated Press
Mar 17th, 2026
Kikoff partners with TheGuarantors to offer free rent reporting for credit building

Kikoff, a financial technology company focused on credit building, has partnered with TheGuarantors, a lease guarantee provider, to offer free credit-building tools to renters. The package includes reporting up to 24 months of past rent payments and ongoing future payments to Equifax and TransUnion. The service targets renters who use guarantor services to qualify for housing, helping them build credit through their largest monthly expense. Approximately 44 million US households rent their homes, representing one-third of all households nationwide. The partnership combines TheGuarantors' insurance-backed lease guarantees with Kikoff's credit-building platform. The package is free for renters, whilst existing market alternatives cost a minimum of $85. Kikoff has helped over four million users increase their credit scores by more than 240 million points collectively.

Business News Today
Aug 16th, 2025
Why fintech firm Kikoff believes AI can finally solve credit report inaccuracies

Kikoff introduces AI Credit Disputes, a free tool that automates FCRA-compliant dispute letters to help users fix credit errors.