Senior Product Manager, AI-Powered Search & Recommendations

Upwork ($UPWK) is the world’s largest work marketplace, connecting businesses with highly skilled professionals worldwide. From entrepreneurs to Fortune 100 enterprises, companies trust Upwork’s platform to access expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive meaningful business outcomes.

Upwork’s AI-powered platform has facilitated over $20 billion in economic opportunity for professionals worldwide. With professionals spanning 10,000+ skills, including AI and machine learning, software development, sales and marketing, customer support, finance and accounting, and more, Upwork empowers businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and build agile teams.

As a Senior Product Manager focused on Search, Recommendations, and Personalization, you’ll be at the heart of how users discover opportunity and talent on Upwork. You’ll own and evolve the algorithms and systems that power intelligent search, personalized discovery, and high-quality matching across our global marketplace. This is a highly technical product leadership role—ideal for someone with a deep understanding of ranking models, query parsing, indexing strategies, and A/B testing frameworks who wants to make a real impact at scale. Join us in shaping how millions find work and talent through intelligent, data-driven systems.

Responsibilities

• Innovate: Spearhead the development of our next-generation AI-powered search and recommendation systems, focusing on creating seamless matches between talent and hiring managers.
• Strategize: 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 result
• Collaborate: Work closely with cross-functional teams - designers, engineers, MLE, data scientists, analysts, ontologists, and marketers - to ensure successful cross-product initiatives.
• Measure Success: Define and oversee key product metrics to monitor and inform success.
• Stay Curious: Continually update your knowledge on AI advancements, positioning Upwork as a leader in next-gen search and recommendation capabilities.

What it takes to catch our eye

• Proven experience as a Product Manager working on search, recommendation, or large-scale information retrieval systems
• Strong technical proficiency - able to partner effectively with engineering and data teams on topics such as model tuning, ranking signals, and indexing strategies
• Demonstrated success in leading A/B testing initiatives and leveraging results to inform roadmap and design decisions
• Ability to translate abstract user and business needs into concrete, technically feasible product requirements
• Clear, inclusive communicator with a strong record of cross-functional collaboration in fast-paced, agile environments

Come change how the world works.

At Upwork, you’ll shape the future of work for a global, remote-first workforce, creating economic opportunities for professionals worldwide. While we have a physical office in Palo Alto, we currently hire full-time employees in 21 U.S. states, making it easier than ever to join our mission from wherever you call home.

Our culture is built on trust, risk-taking, customer focus, and excellence, all in service of our core mission: to create economic opportunities so people have better lives. We embrace authenticity and inclusion, encouraging everyone to bring their whole selves to work. Personal and professional growth is a priority here, supported through development programs, mentorship, and our Upwork Belonging Communities.

We’re proud to offer benefits that go beyond the basics, including comprehensive medical coverage for you and your family, unlimited PTO, a 401(k) plan with matching, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Visit our Life at Upwork page to learn more about our values, working principles, and the overall employee experience.

Ready to help shape the future of work? Check out our Careers page and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X to learn more about life at Upwork.

Upwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, or other legally protected characteristics under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that a criminal background check may be required once a conditional job offer is made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable law, including the California Fair Chance Act and local Fair Chance ordinances.