Senior Host Development Lead, Incentives

Airbnb; United States; Remote; USD 192,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Airbnb is seeking a Senior Host Development Lead to drive the Community incentives and recognition strategy and scale programs like Superhost across the host lifecycle. You will lead education, engagement, and recognition initiatives to accelerate host growth, while partnering with Product, Marketing, Data Science, Policy, Design, and Support teams.

The role emphasizes operational excellence, data‑driven optimization, and inclusive, culturally aware program design for a global audience, with US

Qualifications

• Proven track record designing and scaling loyalty/rewards systems.
• Ability to drive engagement and measurable business results.
• Experience collaborating with executive leadership and external partners.
• Strong strategic and analytical capabilities for large, global programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy of host incentives, recognition and benefits to drive growth and loyalty.
• Design initiatives to deepen host quality and educate hosts on actions to strengthen businesses.
• Foster cross-functional partnerships to scale incentive systems globally while adapting to local contexts.
• Oversee operational execution of programs and measure impact against OKRs.

Skills

Incentives & loyalty strategy

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven decision making

Global program management

Tools

LLMs / Generative AI

Job description

Senior Host Development Lead, Incentives

United States

Role overview

Application

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:

Airbnb creates opportunities for millions of hosts to build a business, develop connections with guests and hosts, and positively impact local communities.

The strength of the global Host community sets Airbnb apart. We keep hosts at the center of everything we do.

The Airbnb Community team treats hosts as partners by fostering connection, supporting their development and success, and incorporating their feedback in our product and policies.

The Difference You Will Make:

The Senior Host Development Lead is an experienced leader who will drive the Community incentives and recognition strategy that shapes communications, education and engagement to accelerate host growth across their lifecycle.

This role requires a balance of leadership and operational excellence to build and optimize programs that incentivize our hosts to grow through recognition and education. You will work with leadership and cross‑functional partners to set strategy and evolve programs like Superhost and new programs along the host lifecycle. You will partner in the operation and continuous optimization of these programs, using data and host feedback to ensure they are inclusive and globally scalable.

Initiatives may include qualification criteria, recognition milestones, benefits programs, engagement or education to incentivize actions —designed as a system to drive meaningful growth and loyalty with hosts.

A Typical Day:

• Lead the strategy of Airbnb’s host community incentives, recognition and benefits programs to drive meaningful host growth, positive sentiment, and loyalty with hosts.
• Design and implement initiatives that deepen host quality, educate hosts on actions to strengthen their businesses, drive retention, and motivate our best hosts.
• Cultivate strong cross‑functional relationships (Product, Marketing, Data Science, Policy, Design, Customer Support, Community, Supply) to represent the host perspective and ensure incentive and education systems scale globally while adapting to local cultural contexts.
• Drive – in partnership with Product Marketing and Business – the ongoing evolution of the Superhost program, ensuring it remains an exemplar of business impact, quality, and host recognition.
• Incubate and test incentive and recognition programs for new lines of business, such as Experiences and Services.
• Define program goals and optimize program effectiveness by aligning to OKRs (Objectives and key results) and continuously iterating based on data‑driven insights and host feedback.
• Partner in end‑to‑end operational execution of host incentive and recognition— scoping work, securing stakeholder alignment and financial viability, managing vendors, overseeing operational excellence, and delivering measurable business impact on time and on budget.
• Provide clear and compelling communication of program strategy, performance, and impact to cross‑functional partners and senior/executive leadership.
• Partner with production and marketing teams to deliver high‑quality, on‑brand programs—including recognition campaigns, benefit frameworks, badging, incentive systems, requirements policies, and supporting education.
• Advocate for and implement creative approaches to incentive design, balancing strategic rigor with innovative, engaging solutions.
• Mentor and support junior team members, fostering a culture of excellence, inclusion, and collaboration.

Your Expertise:

• Senior leader with 12+ years of experience in incentive and loyalty programs, Strategy, Marketing, B2B education, or a proven track record of designing and scaling loyalty/rewards systems that drive engagement, behavior change, and measurable business results.
• Strategic thinker able to zoom out to design holistic frameworks and zoom in to ensure every detail is thoughtfully executed.
• Strong data and analytics acumen, including financial literacy, with experience using insights to optimize programs and demonstrate impact.
• Exceptional communicator, skilled at engaging diverse audiences including executive leadership and external partners.
• Adept at navigating ambiguity, influencing key partners, and aligning teams around clear priorities.
• Demonstrated success managing operationally complex programs in a global, matrixed environment.
• Experience designing inclusive programs with cultural sensitivity for diverse, global audiences.
• Experience and curiosity using LLMs/Generative AI to deepen research, accelerate work, and create prototypes.
• Deep connection to Airbnb’s mission and a passion for fostering Connection and Belonging.

Your Location:

This position is US - Remote Eligible. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with your manager. While the position is Remote Eligible, you must live in a state where Airbnb, Inc. has a registered entity. Click here for the up-to-date list of excluded states. This list is continuously evolving, so please check back with us if the state you live in is on the exclusion list If your position is employed by another Airbnb entity, your recruiter will inform you what states you are eligible to work from.

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.

We strive to also provide a disability inclusive application and interview process. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in order to submit an application, please contact us at: [e-mail]. Please include your full name, the role you’re applying for and the accommodation necessary to assist you with the recruiting process.

We ask that you only reach out to us if you are a candidate whose disability prevents you from being able to complete your online application.

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.

Pay Range

$192,000—$240,000 USD