[Wattpad] Senior Product Manager, Content Discovery

Wattpad’s vision is to entertain and connect the world through webnovel stories. Since 2006, we’ve been on a mission to use the power of community and technology to unleash the full potential of stories to the world. Representing a tapestry of cultures and languages, around the world come to Wattpad every month to share and discover stories they can’t find anywhere else. Come build the future of entertainment and storytelling with our global team, and write your next chapter with us!

Wattpad is part of the WEBTOON family of brands, the largest storytelling platform in the world that enables creators and users to discover, create, and share stories. With over 24 million creators and ~170 million active users per month, we are truly empowering creation by anyone, for everyone. To read more about our family of Brands, check out our website here. 

We are looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Product Manager to join our growing team and lead the product strategy, roadmap, and execution for AI/ML powered Content Discovery features, such as Search & Recommendations, across Wattpad. You will focus on enhancing user experience and driving engagement by leveraging the power of AI/ML to connect readers with the stories they'll love. You will work closely with Data Science and Engineering teams to build and optimize algorithms that personalize content discovery and surface the best content for every user. This is a high-impact role with the potential to shape the future of storytelling on Wattpad.

What you’ll be doing:

• Contribute to the product vision and strategy for AI/ML powered content discovery experiences across Wattpad's platforms, working closely with product leadership to define the long-term direction.
• Conduct in-depth user research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities and unmet needs in content discovery and personalization.
• Translate user needs and business requirements into detailed product specifications and use cases.
• Collaborate closely with Data Science and Engineering teams to design, develop, and implement AI/ML models and algorithms for search ranking, query understanding, recommendation systems, and personalization.
• Prioritize and manage the product backlog, ensuring alignment with overall company goals and strategic direction.
• Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of search and recommendation features, and drive continuous improvement.
• Stay informed about the latest advancements in AI/ML, information retrieval, and recommender systems to identify new opportunities for innovation.
• Clearly communicate product plans, progress, and results to stakeholders across the organization.

What we're looking for:

• 5+ years of experience in product management, with a focus on AI/ML, search, or recommendations.
• Proven track record of successfully launching and iterating on AI/ML powered content discovery products.
• Experience working with large datasets and cloud-based platforms.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Passion for storytelling and the Wattpad platform.

Bonus points for:

• Experience with or strong interest in Generative AI and its applications in content creation and discovery.
• Experience with A/B testing and experimentation.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.
• Background in content-based industries (e.g., media, entertainment, publishing).

What we offer:

• Career development; we believe in mentorship and investing in your learning, supporting you to achieve your goals
• Health benefits, including vision and dental!
• RRSP Contributions (Canada), 401K Contributions (USA)
• Generous vacation and Parental Leave Top-up
• Corporate discount for gym memberships for you and your family
• Winter break shutdown and a whole lot more!

Wattpad is conducting all interviews in a distributed manner using applicable third party software where needed and using visual interface tools such as Google Meet and Zoom.

About Wattpad

Who are we? Entrepreneurs and Do-ers. Our vision is to entertain and connect the world through stories, and our mission is to use the power of community and technology to unleash the full potential of stories to the world.

What does that mean? We are visionaries, community builders, passionate problem solvers, storytellers, coffee snobs (tea drinkers, too!), curious by nature, and culturally diverse.

What are we obsessed with? Our users. Solving complex problems and maximizing flow. Learning constantly. Building the next great storytelling product. Finding the greatest stories ever told. Dogs (and cats), coffee, and good snacks.

How do we work? Autonomously, collaboratively, respectfully. Balancing with work, family, and play...and all while having a great time.

Wattpad is a remote friendly company and encourages remote candidates to apply as long as they are located and authorized to work in either the US or Canada (excluding Quebec) as a precondition of employment. We are not able to sponsor applicants for work permits.

If you happen to live near the areas of either Toronto, Ontario or Halifax, Nova Scotia, you may also have the opportunity to work from our beautiful offices - 1 located in Downtown Toronto and the other in Halifax.

Culture and Diversity

Wattpad is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate. Period. 

Wattpad welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. We have taken a leadership position on creating a culture and an organization that truly values diversity. We are committed to fostering a global team that reflects the diversity of the Wattpad community. At Wattpad, we believe cultural fit doesn’t mean culturally identical, and diversity of thought helps us to challenge one another to think big and think differently. We consider employment applicants without regard to age, race, colour, national origin, citizenship, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, disability status or any other protected status.

If you have any special needs or accessibility requirements, please let us know. We will do our utmost to accommodate, in accordance with applicable local legislation.

Don’t meet all the requirements? Studies show women and people of colour are less likely to apply to jobs if they do not meet all the qualifications. Therefore, in an effort to build a more diverse workplace, we encourage you to apply anyways. You might actually be the right person or you may be a good fit for a number of other openings we currently have.