Lead Product Manager, Search

Scribd, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 151,000 - 256,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work model

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage

Mental health support

Generous paid time off

Retirement matching

Learning and development programs

Job summary

Scribd, Inc. is seeking a Lead Product Manager for Search to guide the multi-year roadmap focused on enhancing user experiences through advanced retrieval and ranking systems. The ideal candidate will leverage their extensive product management experience and technical proficiency in ML to define success metrics and propel product success.

This role requires exceptional communication skills to align cross-functional teams on vision and strategy. Benefits include a flexible work model, comprehensive health coverage, and generous paid time off.

Qualifications

• Ability to set and achieve goals, deliver results through collaboration.
• Strong technical fluency in ML/AI with product management experience.
• Experience leading search products in a high-traffic consumer environment.

Responsibilities

• Own a multi-year roadmap for search strategy and results presentation.
• Translate retrieval and ranking research into production systems.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for search success.
• Balance short-term wins with a long-term vision for relevance improvements.

Skills

Goal setting and results delivery

Technical fluency in ML/AI

6+ years product management experience

Experience shipping ML-driven features

Hands-on proficiency with SQL

Familiarity with retrieval algorithms

Exceptional communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or Mathematics

Tools

SQL

Python

R

Job description

Lead Product Manager, Search

Position: Lead Product Manager – Search

Location: Primary residence in or near one of the following cities:

• United States: Atlanta | Austin | Boston | Dallas | Denver | Chicago | Houston | Jacksonville | Los Angeles | Miami | New York City | Phoenix | Portland | Sacramento | Salt Lake City | San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle | Washington D.C.
• Canada: Ottawa | Toronto | Vancouver
• Mexico: Mexico City

Qualifications

• Ability to set and achieve goals, deliver results, contribute innovative ideas, and positively influence the broader team through collaboration and attitude
• Deep technical fluency in ML/AI with seasoned product management experience and a track record of translating data‑driven insights into meaningful product wins
• 6+ years of product management experience, including 4+ years leading search or recommendations products in a high‑traffic consumer environment
• Demonstrated success shipping ML‑driven features that moved core business metrics (engagement, conversion, or revenue) for large‑scale products
• Experience designing LLM‑ and GenAI‑enhanced user experiences that go beyond raw chat to deliver task‑specific value
• Hands‑on proficiency with SQL and a scripting language (Python or R) for rapid data exploration, prototyping, and model evaluation
• Deep familiarity with retrieval and ranking algorithms, embeddings, and feature stores, with the ability to reason about end‑to‑end customer journeys for distinct user segments
• Track record of thriving amid ambiguity: shaping a multi‑year vision, aligning cross‑functional teams, and delivering incremental wins along the way
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills – adept at crafting product briefs, gathering input from multiple teams, and presenting data‑backed decisions to senior leadership
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience)

Bonus Points

• Familiarity with modern ML operations tooling – from vector databases to end‑to‑end model‑ops workflows (MLOps / LLMOps) – and the ability to collaborate with engineering teams that rely on these systems
• Passion for the written word and open knowledge – a genuine drive to build products that democratize expertise and help people learn, teach, and create

Responsibilities

• Chart the long‑term search strategy – own a multi‑year roadmap spanning query understanding, retrieval, ranking, and results presentation across Scribd’s surfaces, guiding every user from intent to the right document
• Partner with ML Engineering & Applied Research to translate cutting‑edge retrieval and ranking research into production systems that blend semantic embeddings, BM25, and real‑time behavioral signals for best‑in‑class relevance
• Define the metrics that matter – establish and monitor leading indicators of search success: query success rate, zero‑result rate, click‑through, and downstream subscription conversion and retention
• Balance short‑term wins with long‑term vision – ship incremental relevance improvements that hit revenue goals while building an extensible search platform aligned with Scribd’s 3‑year AI strategy
• Fuse data with the voice of the customer – synthesize experiment results, query analytics, user interviews, and feedback sessions to inform prioritization and feature design
• Communicate with clarity and influence – align product, engineering, design, content, and executive stakeholders by clearly articulating requirements, timelines, deliverables, and expected impact, securing buy‑in at every stage

Salary: The base pay range varies by location. For the most highly compensated geographic markets in the United States, the range is $177,000 to $256,000. Outside California in the United States, the range is $151,000 to $244,000. In Canada, the range is $179,000 CAD to $228,000 CAD. Total compensation includes equity and a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

• Scribd Flex (flexible work model)
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage
• Mental health support and disability coverage
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, holidays, winter break, volunteer time, and sabbaticals
• Paid parental leave and family support benefits
• Retirement matching and employee equity
• Learning and development programs and professional growth opportunities
• Wellness and home office stipends
• Complimentary access to the Scribd, Inc. suite of products
• Enterprise access to leading AI tools

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, and believe that a diversity of perspectives and experiences create a foundation for the best ideas.