VP & GM, EMEA

KAYAK; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel search platform in London is seeking a GM/VP to lead their commercial strategy for the EMEA region. You will manage strategic business partnerships and drive growth while overseeing P&L responsibilities. Ideal candidates have over 20 years of experience in online travel, strong negotiation skills, and a data-driven mindset. This role offers competitive perks including generous vacation and mental health support.

Benefits

Work from anywhere for up to 20 days per year

Company-paid therapy sessions

Company-wide week off

Paid parental leave

Generous paid vacation

Paid volunteer time

Leadership development

Travel Discounts

5 weeks paid vacation

Private health & dental insurance

Free lunch 2 days per week

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in commercial functions within online travel.
• Ability to build and scale businesses effectively.
• Strong partner management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the EMEA team across commercial partnerships and ad sales.
• Own the P&L for the region to ensure focus and performance.
• Uncover new revenue streams and strike strategic partnerships.

Skills

Negotiation strength

Data analysis

Team leadership

Commercial functions expertise

Problem-solving

Job description

KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world’s leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We’re also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

KAYAK is looking for a GM/VP to take the reins of one of our biggest regions! You’ll be the driving force behind our commercial strategy, partnering closely with marketing and product and steering the region toward serious growth. You will lead all aspects of the management of our most strategic business partnerships across OTAs, Airlines, Hotel chains and Car rental agencies.

If you're the kind of leader who gets excited by P&L ownership, high-stakes problem-solving, and turning chaos into momentum, read on.

In this role, you will be:

• Plotting the winning strategy for EMEA - from sourcing the right content, through traffic acquisition to monetisation and everything in between.
• Leading the EMEA team across commercial partnerships, ad sales, and client success - and getting the best out of each.
• Partnering with product and engineering to bring ideas to life that actually move the needle.
• Own the P&L to keep the region aligned, focused, and performing.
• Unearth new revenue streams, strike big partnerships, and push groundbreaking initiatives.
• Be the face of KAYAK in your region — panels, press, parties (okay, maybe not all the parties).

Please apply if you have:

• 20+ years of experience in commercial functions, ideally within online travel with a strong grasp of the unique dynamics, cycles, and competitive pressures within travel
• The know-how to build and scale a business — and you’ve got the receipts.
• Experience navigating dynamic organisations without losing your edge.
• Negotiation strength with strong partner management chops.
• The skill to think like a customer and build like an owner.
• Bold strategies, your execution’s sharper, and your instincts are spot on.
• An obsession with data, love a good spreadsheet, and always ask: “What’s the ROI?”
• Ability to lead a team, tell a great story, and get buy-in without the buzzwords.
• Bonus points for extra languages, global experience, and loving a good meme.

Benefits and Perks

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year
• Focus on mental health and well-being:
  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth
  • Company-paid subscription to HeadSpace
  • Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)
  • No meeting Fridays
• Paid parental leave
• Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday
• Paid volunteer time
• Focus on your career growth:
  • Development Dollars
  • Leadership development
  • Access to thousand of on-demand e-learnings
• Travel Discounts
• Employee Resource Groups
• 5 weeks paid vacation
• Private health & dental insurance
• Income protection and life assurance
• Employee Assistance Program - including 24/7 GP & free legal advice
• Pension plan contributions
• Discounted gym membership
• Bike2Work
• Season ticket loan
• Social events & Thursday happy hours
• Free lunch 2 days per week

Inclusion

At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That’s why we’re focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here.

Need any adjustments for the interview, application or on the job? No problem - just give us a heads-up. We’ve got you.