Own outcomes.
We move quickly, and an ownership mindset is essential to success. We value results over process, which means taking initiative, holding yourself accountable and driving work from idea to impact — without waiting for a playbook.
Home is your HQ.
Our virtual-first culture has deepened global connection, fostered belonging and expanded our impact beyond office walls. We believe great talent can thrive from a home office or a kitchen table.
The best work isn’t about where you sit — it’s about what you build.
Virtual-first means combining productivity and flexibility every single day.
We’re committed to a virtual-first Thumbtack and we’re not looking back. Our people work virtually day-to-day and connect at in-person gatherings throughout the year. Intentional and grounded in strategy, we created this model based on employee feedback and business needs.
Our CEO, Marco Zappacosta, explains why virtual-first work is here to stay.
https://res.cloudinary.com/dkhxbhhgg/video/upload/so_2.5/Marco%20Zappacosta%20-%20Virtual%20First%20Interview.m4a
CEO, Thumbtack
Marco Zappacosta
How we work:
Our blueprint for impact.
Thumbtackers work from across 39 U.S. states (and counting), Ontario, British Columbia and the Philippines. While schedules are flexible, we expect employees to be available during our core synchronous collaboration hours (9 a.m. - 3 p.m. PT). As a global team, we rely on digital tools like Slack and Google Suite to collaborate asynchronously.
Take charge,
construct success.
Virtual-first is a strategic choice for Thumbtack. It requires self-motivation and discipline, and it comes with real rewards. Protect your calendar and ask for support when you need it. In return, bypass the commute or make that big move — without sacrificing career growth.
You’ll thrive here if you...
Cement connection and business momentum
While we’re virtual-first, attending in-person gatherings throughout the year is an essential and expected part of joining our team. We invest in bringing people together to form real connections, collaborate, align and drive business goals forward. Depending on your role, you’ll be expected to attend 1–2 events as an individual contributor and 3–6 events as a manager.
In cities with 10+ Thumbtackers, we also offer the opportunity to connect through Local Community Slack channels and social meetups.
Live where you thrive and feel connected.
Ryan K.
Senior Director of Finance
Honolulu, HI
Moving closer to family and working from paradise.
Ryan, Senior Director of Finance, moved back to his home state of Hawaii while driving sustainable growth for Thumbtack. Our virtual-first model enables him to support homeowners and pros across the country — all while raising his kids near his family in a dream vacation destination.
Melissa H.
Manager II - Trust & Safety Incident Operations
Utah
Balancing work and parenting during the early years.
Melissa, Trust and Safety Manager, has had three of her four children during her six years at Thumbtack. Generous paid leave and the Parents ERG have provided invaluable support as she navigates life as a working parent of young kids. She continues to grow her career, including taking on new leadership roles within our Trust and Safety team.
Darren L.
Talent Sourcer
Manila, PH
Pursuing new hobbies while working from his favorite spots around the Philippines.
Darren, Talent Sourcer, swapped an hours-long commute through Manila, Philippines, in favor of working from coffee shops, his home in Manila or the white sand beaches of Boracay, PH. He spends his extra time practicing photography and with family, friends and pets.
Tevin C.
Senior Data Engineer
Washington, DC - Baltimore Area
Fostering dogs instead of fighting traffic.
For Tevin, Senior Data Engineer, trading in daily commutes for dog walks is a huge advantage of our virtual-first environment. Working from home has allowed Tevin to give his dog and the dogs he fosters the time they need — so instead of traffic after work, it’s all treats.
Jelena D.
Chief People Officer
Bay Area, CA
Spending time with family abroad.
Thumbtack’s international work policy has given Chief People Officer Jelena and her family the ability to enjoy two-week vacations followed by two weeks of virtual work in Germany, Norway and her native Serbian countryside.
Which hours am I expected to work?
We have collaborative working hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT during which you're expected to be available for meetings and/or digital collaboration. Outside of that, you have the autonomy to manage your schedule in a way that works best for you. If you work best in the morning, start your day earlier. Night owl? Tackle your heads-down work in the late hours of night. Some teams may require adjustments or have specific needs for global collaboration.
What about the in-person connection that happens organically in an office?
We’re virtual-first, not virtual-only, and we host regular, in-person offsites and events throughout the year. We intentionally build opportunities for connection, including more than 30 Local Communities across the U.S., Canada and the Philippines. In cities with 10+ employees, Thumbtackers meet up for meals and events, and connect daily on Slack. We’re also evolving the way we communicate to match how technology and our teams work today.
Is travel required for every role?
Yes. Travel requirements vary by role and level, but joining Thumbtack means that you should count on showing up in-person to various offsites or events throughout the year. We invest in making these gatherings productive and valuable, both for furthering business goals and building strong connections with each other and we want you to invest in them, too. We expect engaged, dedicated participation to ensure we make the most of each in-person moment. Generally speaking, service and support professionals travel for in-person gatherings 1-2 times per year, corporate individual contributors and managers 2-3 times per year, and leaders 4-6 times per year. Some senior leaders and specialized roles may be asked to travel more frequently and/or to various global locations.
Does Thumbtack offer a virtual work benefit?
Yes. Thumbtackers receive a $1,000 USD ($1,400 CAD / PHP 46,600.00) annual stipend to support their remote work health, including professional development, conferences, self-care activities and more.
Can I work from anywhere in the country or around the world?
You can grow your career from the United States (39 states and counting), Ontario, British Columbia or the Philippines. As a virtual-first company, we offer flexibility to work while traveling for personal reasons. If you're working abroad, you must be available during our collaborative working hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT, and limit your stay to 60 days per country per calendar year to comply with tax and visa rules. Employees are limited to no more than 15 calendar days in a row outside of the Americas (e.g. Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia).
Why not a hybrid model?
Our virtual-first model fosters an equitable environment. It enables us to hire teammates from diverse backgrounds and geographies. Since teamwork happens virtually, every voice has equal strength — regardless of location. For employees based in San Francisco, we have a space available for heads-down work.
What is Thumbtack’s stance on returning to the office?
We’re committed to virtual work and believe that being intentional is key. We set clear expectations, build trust and hold each other accountable. Virtual work isn’t right for every person or every company, but we’ve seen it drive engagement, equity and effectiveness. Success comes from creating flexible, structured systems — and staying open to feedback as needs evolve. Simply put, we’re not planning a return to the office. Virtual-first is here to stay at Thumbtack.
Ready to accomplish more together?
Explore your career possibilities or join our Talent Community to stay up to date on new opportunities.
