Head of Product

Build The Foundation of Youth Coaching Location: On-site | Venice Beach, CA — 5 days a week Type: Full-Time This is tapouts' first-ever Product hire. About Us tapouts is an online platform built on a program developed by educators and scientists to create a fun and safe space for children ages 4–16. Through a team of certified coaches, tapouts delivers Social Emotional Learning (SEL) experiences that help kids express their feelings, improve self-control and build confidence Our mission goes beyond teaching skills, we are dedicated to nurturing the emotional and psychological well‑being of the next generation. Imagine being part of a team that transforms the lives of a million children and their families. By joining tapouts, you are not just taking on a job but using your talents for a deeply rewarding cause. About The Role This is a rare and defining opportunity. As tapouts' first Head of Product, you won't just be managing a roadmap, you will be building the entire product function from the ground up. You'll set the vision, establish the culture, hire and develop the team, and shape the experiences that millions of kids and families will love. This role sits at the intersection of product, design, and leadership. You'll own all three: from defining the product strategy and overseeing UX/design to building the processes, frameworks, and team that will carry tapouts into its next phase of growth. You'll work directly with our founders, Engineering, and Marketing We're looking for innovation. Someone who thrives in ambiguity, creates structure from chaos, and leads with both vision and humility. If you've ever wanted to own something entirely, from zero. This is it. What Success Looks Like Product Foundation Built: A clear product vision, roadmap, and operating processes are in place within the first 90 days. Retention → Lifetime Value: Families stay longer, driving measurable lifetime value growth. Engagement That Lasts: Kids return week after week through gamification, progress tracking, and emotionally resonant experiences. Design Excellence: A consistent, child‑friendly, and parent‑trusted design language across all product surfaces. Team in Place: A high‑performing product and design team hired, onboarded, and operating effectively. Cross‑Team Flow: Product, design, engineering, and coaching ops deliver in sync. Key Responsibilities Product Strategy & Vision Define and own the overall product vision, strategy, and multi‑year roadmap in close partnership with the co‑founders. Translate tapouts' mission into concrete product experiences that drive engagement, retention, and LTV. Conduct market research, competitive analysis, and user research to identify opportunities and gaps. Design & User Experience Own the end‑to‑end design function — from UX strategy and information architecture to visual design and design systems. Ensure all product experiences are developmentally appropriate, emotionally engaging, and accessible for kids and parents. Product Development & Execution Lead the full product lifecycle from ideation to launch, iteration, and optimization. Partner with the Head of Engineering to prioritize features, manage trade‑offs, and ship with quality and speed. Build and maintain a product roadmap that balances short‑term impact with long‑term strategic bets. Leadership & Team Building Build and lead tapouts' product and design team from scratch — this is the foundational hire. Hire, onboard, mentor, and develop product managers, designers, and product analysts as the team grows. Requirements Have 8+ years of product management experience, with at least 2–3 years in a senior leadership role (Head of Product, Director of Product, or equivalent). Have been the first product hire at a startup, or have built a product function from zero Have experience designing for kids, families, or EdTech — ideally with knowledge of gamification, behavioral design, or SEL (Social Emotional Learning). Have a strong track record on service products that drive retention, engagement, and measurable business outcomes. Have hands‑on experience owning or closely collaborating on design — you understand UX, design systems, and what it takes to build beautiful, intuitive experiences. Have experience hiring and developing product teams — you know how to spot great talent and bring out the best in people. Are deeply data‑driven and comfortable linking product decisions to retention, engagement, and LTV metrics. Thrive in fast‑paced, ambiguous startup environments and love bringing order to chaos. Are an exceptional communicator — you can inspire a team, influence stakeholders, and explain complex ideas simply. Benefits Competitive salary + meaningful equity — this is a foundational role and will be compensated accordingly. Healthcare, dental, vision, competitive PTO, and parental leave. Budget for conferences, courses, and continuous learning. Direct access to and partnership with the co‑founding team. The autonomy to build something entirely yours — the product org, the culture, the roadmap Equal Opportunity Employer tapouts is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age. Join us in our mission to empower children with the social and emotional skills they need to succeed. #J-18808-Ljbffr