Staff Experience Researcher, Thumbtack
More information about location
Local services marketplace app
Open for applications
Local services marketplace app
1001+ employees
Open for applications
More information about location
1001+ employees
Company mission
Thumbtack's mission is to help homeowners care for their homes, all the way from minor retouching to fundamental remodelling projects.
Role
Who you are
- 10+ years of experience leading user research in fast-paced, cross-functional product environments, with a strong emphasis on 0→1 and innovation-focused work (design consultancy and pathfinding experience a plus)
- Experience operating in sprint-style or agile environments, with comfort influencing rapid iteration and in-the-moment product decisions
- Deep expertise in qualitative methods and a mixed-methods mindset, with a sharp ability to choose the right approach for ambiguous, evolving product questions
- A proven track record of shaping early-stage product and business strategy through bold, actionable insights that drive clarity and direction
- Exceptional communication and storytelling skills, with the ability to build alignment across product, design, engineering, and executive stakeholders
- A creative, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to operate independently in ambiguous, 0-to-1 product spaces
- Strong leadership presence, with experience mentoring researchers, elevating team practices, and influencing cross-disciplinary partners toward more iterative, prototype-driven ways of working
What the job involves
- As a Staff UX Researcher on Thumbtack’s New Hiring Experiences team, you’ll be at the forefront of discovering what’s next—using creative, iterative research approaches to bring clarity to ambiguity and guide early-stage product direction
- You won’t just conduct research; you’ll play a key role in shaping bold, strategic bets and influencing how we build dynamic, complex user experiences
- You’ll collaborate closely with product, design, engineering, data science, and other disciplines to move quickly, learn deeply, and build with purpose
- With a focus on qual-leaning mixed methods and sprint-style collaboration, you’ll not only inform what we build—you’ll influence how we build, mentoring others and helping elevate the team’s research culture along the way
- This role is essential to making sure our innovation efforts are not only fast and inspired—but grounded in real user needs
- Lead fast-paced, mixed-method research to inform early-stage product strategy and uncover new opportunities
- Translate ambiguous problem spaces into clear direction through sharp insights and strategic thinking
- Partner closely with design, product, and engineering to rapidly test concepts, iterate on ideas, and shape MVPs
- Craft compelling narratives that influence senior stakeholders, align cross-functional teams, and drive evidence-informed decisions
- Inspire a prototype-forward, innovation culture across cross-functional teams—mentoring peers, guiding research practice, and championing bold, iterative ways of working across product teams
- Champion a user-centered mindset across the broader team, advocating for the needs of both customers and pros
- Influence multiple product areas and partner teams, scaling the impact of research beyond your immediate scope
Our take
ThumbTack is a local services marketplace app that pairs customers with skilled professionals. Instead of simply searching for a professional, users provide ThumbTack with details of the job they need completing and the professionals then pitch their services to the potential customer using credits. ThumbTack makes its money by charging the professional for these credits.
It positions itself as something a little different in a saturated local services space that is dominated by companies like Angie’s List, TaskRabbit, Yelp, eBay, and Amazon. It also focuses on a broad range of professionals, from traditional home services like electricians and painters to photographers, personal trainers, and birthday party magicians.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a boost in business for ThumbTack as more people stayed at home and made changes to their properties, increasing the demand for home professionals. In fact, after 2019, the company doubled in value to $3.2 billion with its 2021 raise. Now its updated app has 30 new features, and the company is partnering with the likes of trade-powering platform and Unicorn ServiceTitan, indicating Thumbtack's sustained sway in the market.
Freddie
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
-5% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 9 rounds)
Jun 2021
$275m
LATE VC
Jul 2019
$150m
SERIES F
Total funding: $699.4m
Company benefits
- Parental leave
- Health insurance
- Community matters | Sure, our ways of connecting have changed. But we haven’t missed a beat, from virtual concerts to “TTversary” celebrations to weekly catch-ups
- Always be improving | We bring out the best in our colleagues — and our product — by pushing each beyond what we believe we’re capable of. We give honest feedback, even when it’s hard
- Wellness is a way of life | We promote balance with generous PTO and company-wide holidays — and find our centers every Wellness Wednesday with yoga featuring a Thumbtack pro
- A worthy mission | In a world where tech is often seen as eroding good jobs, we’re helping small business owners thrive. Our product makes entrepreneurship accessible to everyone
- Driven by our values | Our values are the compass by which we make all our decisions. Each one matters: Lead with why, Make it count, Own it, Choose teamwork, and Say what you mean
- Plus, amazing benefits | All the benefits you’d expect, plus a few more: generous parental and fertility benefits, $1800 for Thumbtack services per year and a $1200 remote work stipend
- Virtual-first working model coupled with quarterly in-person events and Camp Thumbtack
- 20+ company-wide holidays including two week-long shutdowns
- Libraries (collaborative workspaces) in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Toronto, and Manila
- Cell phone and WiFi reimbursements
- Subscriptions and Employee Assistance Program for mental health and well-being
Company HQ
SoMa, San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Marco Zappacosta
(CEO)Having studied at Columbia University, Marco co-founded Thumbtack in August 2008. He has served as CEO since January 2009.
Jonathan Swanson
(Chairman)Jonathan started his career creating financial market reports for the White House before co-founding Thumbtack in 2008. Currently Founder at Powerset and Athena.
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