Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way.

No global movement springs from individuals. It takes an entire team united behind something big. Every day, we connect thousands of guests and hosts online, leading to meaningful experiences in the real world. We’re helping people live like locals in parts unknown while breaking down cultural barriers and bringing people together. 

This position, Director of Design, will report to the VP of Design. Location is flexible.  S/he will be partnering with supporting disciplines such as program management, research, writers, product specialists and engineers to build beautiful, usable, forward-looking products to 1) empower our hosts to deliver Stays and Experiences that promote Belonging and Connection and 2) provide our guests with the ability to explore, plan and book their trip in a way that feels organic and intuitive.  

Our design charter is to help foster an emotional connection with our community, keeping usability and accessibility as our prime virtues. We do our best to practice inclusive design at every turn, spanning both the online and offline experiences we create for our community.

• Lead highly visible or impactful cross-functional initiatives and/or leading design at a systemic level across the organization. 
• In close partnership with Product, Engineering, Data Science, Research, and UX Writing, lead multiple product initiatives from inception to launch. 
• Build and manage a diverse and well-rounded team of Experience Designers that consistently deliver on Airbnb’s priorities and design high-quality products and experiences.
• Identify and solve highly complex problems within the design area. Leverage a high degree of autonomy in making design decisions that impact our team's objectives, integrating user insights with business objectives to develop strategic solutions.

• Interpret business challenges at a strategic or organizational level and anticipate future needs to build for the team
• Lead multi-discipline project teams and initiatives, serving as a design thought leader across our organization.
• Build collaboration across senior leadership, influencing opinions and points of view of peers and senior stakeholders within Airbnb.

• Responsible for driving innovation in design through thought leadership, with the aim of making a significant impact on our products and services. This entails staying up-to-date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and design best practices to bring fresh and innovative ideas to the table.
• Effectively communicate ideas, information, and complex concepts in a clear and concise manner, ensuring clarity and understanding among different audiences. Adapt style and approach to suit the specific needs, preferences, and backgrounds of diverse audiences, including senior leaders, peers, cross-functional teams, customers, and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of product design experience. 
• 5+ years experience managing or leading design teams in matrixed organizations. 
• Experience teaching, mentoring, and building design culture. 
• Able to build strong collaborative teams in a fast paced, iterative environment
• Proven communication skills that are tailored to each audience
• Track record of designing and shipping high-quality products and user experiences across multiple platforms (e.g. Web, Mobile Web, Android, iOS), either personally or through a team. 
• Experience integrating user insights with business objectives to drive strategic solutions.
• Proven track record of leading multidisciplinary project teams and initiatives.
• Highly motivated and innovative thinker, with a passion for solving complex problems and driving strategic solutions

How We'll Take Care of You:

Our job titles may span more than one career level. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.