Director of Applied Science

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:

1. Lead and mentor a team of Applied Scientists, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.
2. Develop and implement advanced machine learning models and AI algorithms to optimize user acquisition, engagement, and retention strategies for both professionals and customers.
3. Collaborate with product, marketing, and operations teams to identify high-impact growth opportunities.
4. Design and oversee AI-driven experiments to measure the impact of growth initiatives and drive informed decision-making.
5. Lead the development of predictive models for user behavior, market trends, and business outcomes.
6. Drive innovation in areas such as personalized recommendations, matching algorithms, and automated interactions to enhance Thumbtack's service for professionals and customers alike.
7. Explore and implement generative AI solutions to create new growth avenues and enhance user experiences.
8. Establish best practices for AI and ensure responsible development across growth initiatives.
9. Stay current with advancements in applied science and AI relevant to marketplace dynamics and user behavior prediction.
10. 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