Director of Applied Science @ Thumbtack

A home is the biggest investment most people make, and yet, it doesn’t come with a manual. That’s why we’re building the only app homeowners need to effortlessly manage their homes — knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to hire. With Thumbtack, millions of people care for what matters most, and pros earn billions of dollars through our platform. And as one of the fastest-growing companies in a $600B+ industry — we must be doing something right.

We are driven by a common goal and the deep satisfaction that comes from knowing our work supports local economies, helps small businesses grow, and brings homeowners peace of mind. We’re seeking people who continually put our purpose first: advocating for pros and customers, embracing change, and choosing teamwork every day.

At Thumbtack, we’re creating a new era of home care. If making an impact and the chance to do good inspires you, join us. Imagine what we’ll build together.

Thumbtack by the Numbers

Available nationwide in every U.S. county
80 million projects started on Thumbtack
10 million 5-star reviews and counting
Pros earn billions on our platform
1000+ employees
$3.2 billion valuation (June, 2021)

About Us

Thumbtack is a leading home services platform that connects customers with qualified professionals. We’re seeking a visionary Director of Applied Science to lead our efforts in leveraging machine learning and AI to drive growth initiatives and innovation.

Role Summary

As the Director of Applied Science for Growth Initiatives, you will spearhead our AI-driven growth strategies. You’ll lead a team of Applied Scientists, working cross-functionally to develop and implement innovative solutions that accelerate Thumbtack’s growth and enhance user experience. This role offers the unique opportunity to work on solutions that benefit both service professionals and customers, optimizing the marketplace for all participants. You’ll also drive impact through the application of generative AI technologies to create novel solutions for growth.

Responsibilities:

Lead and mentor a team of Applied Scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
Develop and implement advanced machine learning models and AI algorithms to optimize user acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies for both professionals and customers.
Collaborate with product, marketing, and operations teams to identify high-impact growth opportunities.
Design and oversee AI-driven experiments to measure the impact of growth initiatives and drive informed decision-making.
Lead the development of predictive models for user behavior, market trends, and business outcomes.
Drive innovation in areas such as personalized recommendations, matching algorithms, and automated interactions to enhance Thumbtack’s service for professionals and customers alike.
Explore and implement generative AI solutions to create new growth avenues and enhance user experiences.
Establish best practices for AI and ensure responsible development across growth initiatives.
Stay current with advancements in applied science and AI relevant to marketplace dynamics and user behavior prediction.
Present insights and recommendations to executive leadership to inform strategic decisions.

What you’ll need

If you don’t think you meet all of the criteria below but still are interested in the job, please apply. Nobody checks every box, and we’re looking for someone excited to join the team.

Ph.D. or Master’s degree in Computer Science, AI, Machine Learning, or a related field.
8+ years of experience in applied science roles, with at least 3 years in a leadership position.
Strong background in machine learning, AI, and causal inference in marketing and growth..
Proven track record of applying AI to drive business growth in a tech company.
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, R, or Scala.
Knowledge of generative AI applications and their potential in driving growth.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex AI concepts to non-technical audiences.

Thumbtack is a virtual-first company, meaning you can live and work from any one of our approved locations across the United States, Canada or the Philippines.* Learn more about our virtual-first working model here.

#LI-Remote

Benefits & Perks

Virtual-first working model coupled with in-person events
20 company-wide holidays including a week-long end-of-year company shutdown
Library (optional use collaboration & connection hub)in San Francisco
WiFi reimbursements
Cell phone reimbursements (North America)
Employee Assistance Program for mental health and well-being

Learn More About Us

Thumbtack embraces diversity. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and do not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial, state, or local law. We also will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, consistent with applicable law.

Thumbtack is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for a medical condition or disability during any part of the application process, please contact: [email protected].

If you are a California resident, please review information regarding your rights under California privacy laws contained in Thumbtack’s Privacy policy available at https://www.thumbtack.com/privacy/ .

Director of Applied Science

Growth Initiatives

Thumbtack

About Us

Role Summary

6 month growth

1 year growth

2 year growth

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Benefits