Principal Product Manager

Principal Product Manager

Bring a Trailer, the leading curated automotive auction marketplace and enthusiast community, is looking for a Principal Product Manager to lead the strategy and development of our marketplace and community ecosystem. In this role, you will drive initiatives that deepen engagement across key user groups, from passionate individual sellers to professional dealers and brokers.

You will report to the Director of Product and collaborate closely with Engineering, Design, and key business stakeholders. Your leadership will help shape the future of how enthusiasts and professionals engage with BaT while contributing directly to revenue growth and user satisfaction.

Product Leadership & Strategy

• Own the roadmap and product strategy for our live and post-auction customer experiences, checkout tools, and seller/buyer flows.
• Lead B2B marketplace strategy and product development to support professional sellers, brokers, and auto dealers.
• Define priorities through customer insights, business needs, and strategic alignment.

Community Experience & Safety

• Champion community tools that ensure safe, trusted, and valuable interactions.
• Collaborate with internal teams to scale moderation, safety, and support systems.

Growth & Data-Driven Decision Making

• Partner with the Director of Auction Strategy to uncover opportunities for e-commerce growth and new product features that delight customers.
• Integrate research, usability testing, and analytics into all phases of product development.
• Define and track KPIs that inform prioritization and measure product success.

Execution & Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering and Design partners to ship impactful features quickly.
• Foster a high-performance product culture based on ownership, transparency, and iteration.
• Evangelize product thinking across cross-functional teams.

What We're Looking For

Experience & Industry Knowledge

• 10+ years of product management experience in high-growth or entrepreneurial environments
• Experience owning technical software products from concept to launch
• Marketplace or automotive background is a strong plus

Execution & Communication

• Strong communicator who excels at aligning stakeholders around user needs
• Proven track record of driving experimentation, hypothesis testing, and outcome-based iteration
• Highly organized and great at identifying and prioritizing high-impact initiatives

Culture & Mindset

• Scrappy, hands-on problem solver with a bias toward action
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity and shaping structure from incomplete information
• Collaborative partner with a knack for building trusted relationships across teams

Why Hearst Autos?

Hearst Autos connects car buyers, owners, and enthusiasts to the information they need, the experiences they crave, and the vehicles they love. As a division of Hearst Magazines, we offer the best of both worlds: a nimble, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment coupled with the career development opportunities and perks of an established company.

Bring a Trailer is part of the Hearst Autos family. BaT Auctions are the best way to buy and sell classic, collector, and enthusiast vehicles. We curate vehicles submitted by our audience and craft transparent auction listings that present the vehicles as they are—without superlatives or dubious used-car-lot language. BaT's ever-growing community of knowledgeable users vets each listing so potential buyers can bid with confidence.

In accordance with applicable law, Hearst is required to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role if hired in California, Illinois, or New York. The reasonable estimate, if hired in California, Illinois, or New York is $170,000-$195,000. Please note this information is specific to those hired in California, Illinois, or New York. If this role is open to candidates outside of these cities, the salary range would be aligned to that specific location. A final decision on the successful candidate's starting salary will be based on a number of permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills and experience, training, certifications, and education.

Hearst provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance, 401(k), paid holidays and paid time off, employee assistance programs, and more.

Hearst is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.