Principal Product Manager, AI Search

About the Role

Our Next-Gen Product Search team is not just about pushing technological boundaries; it's about solving real-world problems and shaping the future of work. We believe in the power of collaboration across disciplines, and we're seeking an exceptional Principal Product Manager to lead the charge. In this role, you'll be at the intersection of technology and user experience, leveraging your expertise in product management to identify the most pressing challenges and opportunities in the realm of AI/ML-driven search and recommendation systems. With a deep understanding of AI algorithms, search technologies, and relevance metrics, you'll guide our team in prioritizing projects that have the greatest impact on our mission: creating the most efficient and rewarding work marketplace. You'll collaborate closely with our multi-disciplinary teams, bridging the gap between technical innovation and user needs. Your ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear product requirements will be essential as we develop cutting-edge solutions that elevate the search experience for our users.

Your Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development of our next-generation AI-powered search and recommendation systems, focusing on creating seamless matches between talent and hiring managers.
• Lead the crafting and execution of our AI/ML product strategies and roadmap.
• Use cutting edge AI technologies to solve impactful customer problems, including but not limited to:
  • Enhanced NLP for superior user intent understanding.
  • Neural-based retrieval methods for deeper contextual understanding.
  • Personalized ranking.
  • Real-time indexing for faster, up-to-date results.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams—designers, engineers, MLE, data scientists, analysts, ontologists, and marketers—to ensure successful cross-product initiatives.
• Define and oversee key product metrics to monitor and inform success.
• Continually update your knowledge on AI advancements, positioning Upwork as a leader in next-gen search and recommendation capabilities.
• Guide junior product managers, fostering their growth in product management skills.

What it Takes to Catch Our Eye

• 7+ years in Product Management, with a proven history of delivering AI-driven products that have significantly impacted business at scale in a consumer company.
• Deep understanding of AI/ML, personalization, search, and recommendation systems, with a track record of solving customer needs using this expertise.
• Demonstrated ability to devise strategies for a large scope, with strong, data-driven decision-making skills.
• Exceptional ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, align diverse stakeholder groups, and exhibit strong executive presence.
• Experience mentoring or leading PMs.
• Experience working with globally distributed teams.