Strava Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Strava is the leading digital community for active individuals, uniting over 135 million athletes across more than 190 countries to inspire connection, motivation, and personal achievement.

In the role of Product Manager at Strava, you will take the helm of the Trust & Safety Product Management Team, tasked with safeguarding the physical and emotional safety of athletes using the platform. Your key responsibilities will include developing and implementing safety features, creating scalable solutions to combat fraud and abuse, and collaborating with cross-functional partners to align on strategic visions that enhance user trust. You will manage the entire product development lifecycle, utilizing Agile methodologies to ensure timely project execution while balancing competing priorities and navigating ambiguity. A strong emphasis will be placed on measuring success through defined KPIs and metrics that reflect user safety and experience.

To thrive in this role, you should possess a deep understanding of trust and safety issues, have a proactive approach to addressing safety-related needs, and be passionate about fostering a secure environment for users. Your experience in product management, particularly within technology and media services, will be crucial for navigating the fast-paced and evolving landscape of the athletic community.

This guide aims to equip you with insights and knowledge to prepare effectively for your interview, ensuring you can confidently showcase your fit for Strava's mission and values.

The interview process for the Product Manager role at Strava is designed to assess both your technical expertise and your ability to lead product initiatives that enhance user safety and trust. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter. This conversation will focus on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Strava. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specific expectations for the Product Manager role. This is an opportunity for you to express your passion for product management and how it aligns with Strava's mission.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, you will participate in a technical interview, which typically lasts about an hour. This interview may be conducted via video call and will involve discussions around product management methodologies, particularly Agile and Scrum. You will be asked to demonstrate your understanding of product development processes, including how to prioritize features and manage cross-functional teams. Expect to discuss your experience with trust and safety features, as well as any relevant metrics you have used to measure product success.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is a critical component of the process, focusing on your past experiences and how they relate to the role. This interview will assess your ability to navigate ambiguity, lead with authority, and collaborate effectively with diverse teams. You may be asked to provide examples of how you have handled challenging situations in product management, particularly those related to user safety and trust.

4. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview consists of multiple rounds, typically involving 3-5 interviews with various stakeholders, including product team members, engineering leads, and possibly executives. Each interview will last approximately 45 minutes and will cover a mix of technical, behavioral, and situational questions. You will be expected to articulate your vision for product safety features and how you would implement them at Strava. Additionally, you may be asked to participate in a case study or a group exercise to evaluate your problem-solving skills and collaborative approach.

5. Final Interview

The final interview is often with a senior leader or executive within the company. This is your chance to discuss your long-term vision for the role and how you can contribute to Strava's mission. You may also be asked about your leadership style and how you plan to mentor and guide your team in addressing trust and safety challenges.

As you prepare for these interviews, consider the specific experiences and insights you can share that align with Strava's commitment to athlete safety and community engagement. Next, let’s delve into the types of questions you might encounter during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Emphasize Your Passion for Trust & Safety

Strava is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its community of athletes. During your interview, convey your genuine passion for trust and safety in product management. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully implemented safety features or addressed user concerns. This will demonstrate your alignment with Strava's mission and values.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Collaboration is key at Strava, especially in a role that requires working with cross-functional teams. Prepare to discuss how you have effectively collaborated with diverse stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight instances where you navigated differing priorities and perspectives to achieve a common goal. This will illustrate your ability to foster teamwork and drive results in a fast-paced environment.

Prepare for Ambiguity

Given the nature of the Trust & Safety role, you may encounter questions about navigating ambiguity. Be ready to share experiences where you successfully made decisions or recommendations in uncertain situations. Discuss your thought process and how you gathered data or insights to guide your actions. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Understand Strava's User Base

Familiarize yourself with Strava's community of athletes and the unique challenges they face. Consider how trust and safety issues may impact their experience on the platform. By demonstrating an understanding of the user base and their needs, you can position yourself as a candidate who is not only technically proficient but also empathetic to the users' experiences.

Highlight Your Technical Acumen

As the role involves designing and implementing technical solutions, be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant technologies, such as machine learning and AI. Share specific projects where you utilized these technologies to enhance product safety or user trust. This will illustrate your technical expertise and ability to drive innovation in product development.

Define Your Metrics for Success

Strava values data-driven decision-making. Be ready to discuss how you define and measure success in your product management roles. Share examples of key performance indicators (KPIs) you have established in the past, particularly in relation to trust and safety. This will demonstrate your analytical mindset and commitment to continuous improvement.

Align with Strava's Culture

Strava's culture emphasizes inclusivity, camaraderie, and a people-first approach. During your interview, reflect these values in your responses. Discuss how you have contributed to a positive team culture in previous roles and how you plan to foster inclusivity within the Trust & Safety team. This will show that you are not only a fit for the role but also for the company culture.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

Finally, prepare insightful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the current challenges the Trust & Safety team is facing, the strategic vision for the future, or how success is measured within the team. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and your proactive approach to understanding the company's needs.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your qualifications and fit for the Product Manager role at Strava. Good luck!

Strava Product Manager Interview Questions

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Strava Product Manager interview. The focus will be on your ability to manage product development, navigate trust and safety issues, and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to demonstrate your experience in product management, particularly in areas related to user safety, privacy, and feature development.

Product Management and Strategy

1. How do you prioritize features when managing a product roadmap?

This question assesses your ability to balance competing priorities and stakeholder needs.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including frameworks you use (like RICE or MoSCoW) and how you incorporate feedback from various teams.

Example

“I prioritize features by evaluating their impact on user safety and engagement, using the RICE framework to score each feature based on reach, impact, confidence, and effort. I also ensure to gather input from cross-functional teams to align our priorities with the overall business goals.”

2. Describe a time when you had to navigate ambiguity in a project.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and adaptability in uncertain situations.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you faced ambiguity, how you approached the situation, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous role, I was tasked with launching a new safety feature without clear user requirements. I conducted user interviews and A/B testing to gather insights, which helped clarify our direction and ultimately led to a successful launch.”

3. Can you explain your experience with Agile methodologies?

This question gauges your familiarity with Agile practices and how you apply them in product management.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with Agile or Scrum, including specific roles you’ve played and how it has benefited your projects.

Example

“I have led multiple Agile teams as a Product Manager, facilitating sprint planning and retrospectives. This approach has allowed us to iterate quickly based on user feedback, significantly improving our product’s responsiveness to user needs.”

4. How do you measure the success of a product feature?

This question assesses your understanding of key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics.

How to Answer

Explain the metrics you consider important for measuring success and how you gather and analyze data.

Example

“I define success metrics based on user engagement and safety outcomes, such as the reduction in reported incidents after a feature launch. I use analytics tools to track these metrics and adjust our strategy accordingly.”

5. Describe your experience working with cross-functional teams.

This question evaluates your collaboration skills and ability to work with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Share an example of a successful collaboration, highlighting your role and the impact of the teamwork.

Example

“I collaborated with engineering, design, and marketing teams to launch a new privacy feature. By facilitating regular check-ins and ensuring open communication, we were able to align our goals and deliver the feature on time, resulting in positive user feedback.”

Trust and Safety

1. What strategies would you implement to enhance user trust on the platform?

This question focuses on your understanding of trust and safety in product management.

How to Answer

Discuss specific strategies you would consider, such as user education, transparency, and proactive measures.

Example

“I would implement a user education program that informs athletes about safety features and best practices. Additionally, I would advocate for transparent reporting mechanisms that allow users to feel heard and valued, thereby enhancing trust in our platform.”

2. How do you stay informed about trends in trust and safety?

This question assesses your commitment to continuous learning and awareness of industry standards.

How to Answer

Mention resources, networks, or practices you use to keep up with trends in trust and safety.

Example

“I regularly attend industry conferences and webinars focused on trust and safety. I also subscribe to relevant publications and participate in online forums to exchange insights with other professionals in the field.”

3. Describe a time you had to address a safety-related issue in a product.

This question evaluates your experience in handling safety concerns effectively.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the issue, your approach, and the resolution.

Example

“When we identified a spike in user reports regarding harassment, I led a cross-functional team to analyze the data and implement new reporting features. This not only improved user safety but also increased user satisfaction as reflected in our follow-up surveys.”

4. How would you approach designing a new safety feature?

This question assesses your design thinking and user-centered approach.

How to Answer

Outline your process for designing a safety feature, including user research, prototyping, and testing.

Example

“I would start by conducting user interviews to understand their safety concerns. Based on the insights, I would create wireframes and prototypes, followed by usability testing to refine the feature before launch.”

5. What role does data play in your decision-making process regarding trust and safety?

This question evaluates your analytical skills and data-driven mindset.

How to Answer

Discuss how you leverage data to inform your decisions and improve safety measures.

Example

“I rely heavily on data analytics to identify trends in user behavior and safety incidents. By analyzing this data, I can make informed decisions about which features to prioritize and how to enhance our safety protocols effectively.”