Growth Marketing Lead - SEM

About Airbnb and the Growth Marketing Team

Founded in 2007, Airbnb has expanded from two hosts welcoming three guests in San Francisco to over 5 million hosts worldwide, facilitating more than 2 billion guest arrivals across almost every country. The Growth Marketing team plays a pivotal role within Airbnb, combining marketing, data, and technology to acquire users at scale and enhance measurable business outcomes. This team directly supports the company’s revenue growth by executing strategic marketing initiatives.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and strategically minded Growth Marketing Lead to manage Airbnb's Host SEM (Search Engine Marketing) efforts globally. This position requires a deep level of technical acumen, strong leadership, and collaboration skills to drive supply-side paid search campaigns effectively. You will work closely with multiple internal partners including Product, Data Science, Engineering, Supply, Financial Planning, Brand, and Creative teams to design strategies and exceed key performance metrics.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the comprehensive strategy and execution of Airbnb's international Host SEM programs across platforms such as Google and Bing, including emerging search channels, focusing on efficient host acquisition and sustainable supply growth.
• Plan and implement strategic roadmaps and budget allocations for Host SEM, ensuring alignment with global and regional goals.
• Develop, run, and scale experiments targeting variations in bidding strategies, creative content, landing pages, audience targeting, and measurement techniques to improve conversion funnels.
• Collaborate extensively with Supply, Data Science, Engineering, Brand, Creative, and Finance teams to develop scalable growth solutions.
• Manage thorough program reporting, delivering precise and actionable insights to guide investment decisions and evaluate business performance.
• Effectively communicate strategies, insights, and recommendations through data-driven presentations to senior management and business stakeholders.
• Harness AI, automation, and advanced marketing technologies to optimize processes, measurement, and operational performance.

Candidate Qualifications and Expertise

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in SEM within fast-moving consumer technology firms; experience in B2B or two-sided marketplaces highly valuable.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale acquisition channels with sizeable budgets—ranging in the tens to hundreds of millions annually—and achieving significant measurable results.
• Technical mastery of SEM-related technologies including bidding systems, measurement frameworks, attribution models, tracking setups, and feed management tools.
• Proven leadership in high-profile, cross-functional projects from conception through execution and impact assessment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of simplifying complex concepts into concise narratives.
• Strong ownership and adaptability to shifting priorities, blending strategic thought with outstanding operational execution.
• Proficiency in SQL and Microsoft Excel.
• Enthusiasm for employing AI-powered tools (such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or equivalents) to boost efficiency.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Statistics, or related quantitative fields, or equivalent education paired with progressive professional experience.

Location and Work Environment

This role is eligible for remote work within the United States states where Airbnb maintains a registered legal entity. Occasional attendance at Airbnb offices or offsite meetings may be required, as coordinated with management. Work hours will generally align with the US Pacific Time zone, with flexibility for international meetings.

Inclusion Commitment

Airbnb values diversity and inclusivity, encouraging all qualified candidates to apply. The company supports a disability-inclusive application and interview process and provides reasonable accommodations if requested.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $160,000 to $200,000 USD annually, with eligibility for bonuses, equity, benefits, and employee travel credits. Actual compensation depends on training, transferable experience, and market conditions.