Senior Business Operations Lead - Saudi Arabia

airbnb, Inc.; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global home rental company is seeking a Senior Business Operations Lead to execute local strategies in Saudi Arabia. The role involves business development, relationship management, and operational oversight. Ideal candidates should have over 15 years of experience and fluency in Arabic and English, with a preference for Saudi nationals due to local regulations. This role focuses on establishing partnerships and managing the company’s presence in the region.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in consulting, strategy, operations, or business leadership.
• Proven industry experience within Saudi Arabia and/or GCC markets (mandatory).
• Experience working in the US or Europe will be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Execute Airbnb’s local go-to-market strategy for Saudi Arabia.
• Develop strategic plans for business growth in alignment with global objectives.
• Identify strategic partnerships to fuel market expansion.

Skills

Consulting

Strategy

Operations

Business Leadership

Fluency in Arabic

Fluency in English

Education

Master's in Business Administration (MBA)

Job description

Senior Business Operations Lead - Saudi Arabia

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 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.

The Community You Will Join:

• The Chief Business Officer organization drives company-wide growth and global expansion. Teammates work to commercialize both Airbnb’s existing offerings and its new ventures worldwide. This includes recruiting and supporting high-quality Stays, Experiences, and Services, alongside executing Airbnb’s global market strategy. Shaping business approaches, quality supply sourcing, and international growth efforts are integral to the team’s success in connecting millions more hosts and guests to Airbnb's platform.

Key areas of responsibility

As our first hire on the ground in Saudi Arabia, you will play a pivotal role in executing Airbnb’s local go-to-market strategy, helping to build and scale the business in alignment with regional priorities. You'll be hands-on across key areas, from supporting early strategic partnerships to driving host engagement and navigating regulatory dynamics, laying the foundation for long-term success in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Business Strategy:

• Develop clear and actionable strategic plans to enhance business growth in Saudi Arabia aligned with Airbnb’s global objectives, coordinating with key internal stakeholders across functions and levels.
• Lead critical operational initiatives, including supply acquisition and activation campaigns, to ensure consistent market growth.
• Monitor market trends and opportunities, proactively proposing new growth initiatives to enhance Airbnb's presence in Saudi Arabia.

Business Development & Community Engagement:

• Identify strategic partnerships to fuel market expansion and position Airbnb effectively within the region.
• Support initiatives aimed at deepening community connections and enriching the hosting experience on the platform.
• Manage and adapt recruitment strategies to align with local dynamics.

Relationship Building:

• In partnership with the Policy and Comms team, is the face / spokesperson of Airbnb in the territory, including Press, local authorities, government regulators, etc.
• Establish strong ties with governmental entities, regulatory bodies, and local industry leaders to navigate Saudi Arabia’s ecosystem effectively and secure lasting support for Airbnb’s mission.
• Adapt operational plans based on Saudi Arabia’s cultural, legal, governmental, and marketplace realities, working closely with internal teams to align on capabilities and regulations.

Operational Oversight:

• Serve as a signatory on essential documents and oversee country-specific operational requirements like banking, leasing applications, workforce strategies, and compliance regulations.

Your Expertise

To deliver in this role, Airbnb is seeking candidates with:

• 15+ years of experience in consulting, strategy, operations, or business leadership.
• Proven industry experience within Saudi Arabia and/or GCC markets (mandatory).
• Experience working in the US or in Europe will be beneficial.
• A Master's in Business Administration (MBA) preferred.
• Strong organizational and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Effective prioritization under tight deadlines and bold decision leadership balancing short-term plans and long-term strategies.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English to maintain seamless communication across teams and stakeholders.
• Saudi nationality, given localized regulatory and cultural requirements.

Our Commitment To Inclusion & Belonging:

Airbnb is committed to working with the broadest talent pool possible. We believe diverse ideas foster innovation and engagement, and allow us to attract creatively-led people, and to develop the best products, services and solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.