Brian Coox
Breaking into Tech & Career Growth | Lead PM @ Yelp
Studied at UC Berkeley
Works at Yelp
I'm open to scheduling on weekends subsequent to the first meeting
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Brian's Offerings
Custom hourly · $65/hr
Get help with AI Automation, Career Planning, and .
Brian’s Career Coaching Qualifications
Experience level: Intern
I specialize in helping professionals navigate high-stakes career transitions, pivot into tech from non-traditional backgrounds, and position themselves for long-term career growth. My own path began in Civil Engineering, managing physical infrastructure projects, before I successfully transitioned into tech product management and scaled through roles at CrossInstall, Chartboost, Twitter, and Yelp. Having made an ambitious industry pivot myself, I understand the exact hurdles candidates face when translating real-world experience into tech-oriented value. I help clients cut through job search noise by refining their professional narrative, sharpening resume and LinkedIn positioning, and building clear strategies for applications & interview prep. Whether you are switching industries, targeting a major step up, or looking for practical guidance from someone who has sat on both sides of the hiring table, I provide actionable, candid advice to help you reach your goals.
Brian can help with:
AI Automation
Career Planning
Cover Letters
General Exploration
Interview Prep
Job Search Strategies
Leadership
Resume Review
About Brian
I've spent nearly a decade leading product teams, building ad platforms, and running hiring cycles at companies like Yelp, Twitter, and Chartboost. My career started in Civil Engineering, building physical infrastructure rather than digital, before I made the leap into tech product management. I know firsthand what it takes to navigate a non-traditional pivot, identify transferrable skills and frame achievements in tech-oriented language, and pass high-stakes hiring bars. I coach because I love helping people cut through the noise with clear, practical guidance. Whether you are aiming to break into product management, shift into tech, or stand out to hiring managers, I can help you refine your story and land the offer.
Why do I coach?
Switching from traditional Civil Engineering to tech product management meant figuring out a completely new industry without a guide. The mentors who gave me direct, honest feedback and helped me map my skill set to what tech companies actually look for made all the difference in my path. I genuinely enjoy helping others navigate those same inflection points, and coaching gives me a way to pay that guidance forward by offering driven professionals the clarity, strategy, and confidence they need to make ambitious career leaps.
Work Experience
Lead Product Manager
Yelp
July 2024 - Present
Ad Platform, UX, Creative, Optimization Ad Syndication / Yelp Audience Network Partner Integrations Scaled Ad Creative Generation (LLM) & Optimizations
Senior Program Manager
Chartboost
July 2023 - April 2024
Strategy/Revenue/Product
May 2020 - January 2023
Hiring Manager
Director, Product (Ads)
CrossInstall
January 2019 - May 2020
Hiring Manager
Led a global team comprising 18 employees and 60 contractors across product management, engineering, design, quality assurance, and data analysis functions. Orchestrated the development and refinement of ad products and creatives, driving continuous optimization to meet evolving market demands and user needs. Enhanced production efficiency of interactive ad units by 50% within 6 months, reducing late projects by 80% and client complaints by 90% through process redesign and software implementation. Cut external contractor production costs by 15% by implementing metrics and reporting. Restructured the company's pricing strategy, boosting profitability by 10%, and proposed a business plan to expand video production capabilities, projected to increase division profitability by 20%.
Project Engineer
RQ Construction
October 2016 - January 2019
Hiring Manager
Program and Project Manager for 3 construction projects totaling $10M. Created technical designs, schedules, plans and specifications; supervised progress and communicated to upper management. Created strategic vision and plan for logistics and supply chain, which included providing solutions for sourcing alternative materials and improving shipping/receiving efficiency, and then implemented and provided continuous improvement. Managed vendor, contractor, and client relationships. Oversaw on-boarding of new relationships and contract setup. Made the company $350k in additional revenue through contract review and claim negotiations. Managed multiple projects for critical government infrastructure in highly sensitive and secure locations. Directed Warehouse Operations and Logistics as well as Civil Engineering, and hired, trained, and mentored 9 employees.
Education
UC Berkeley
Master of Science (MS), Civil Engineering
2010 - 2011
UC Berkeley
Bachelor of Science (BS), Civil Engineering
2006 - 2010