Senior Corporate Communications Manager, Airbnb
DACH & CEE
€84-105k
Community marketplace for holiday accomodation
Job no longer available
Community marketplace for holiday accomodation
1001+ employees
Job no longer available
€84-105k
1001+ employees
Company mission
To create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.
Role
Who you are
- If you thrive in fast-paced environments with a focus on execution, have a strong nose for a good story, and can balance strategic thinking with hands-on crisis management while championing our mission to build trust and belonging, this role is for you
- 8+ years of corporate and policy communications in an agency, in-house, or public administration setting
- Proven expertise managing communications on trust, crisis, policy, regulatory, and financial matters in a matrixed organization. Experience working in an international organization is a plus
- Track record of managing external agency partners and media relations firms
- Experience navigating complex regulatory environments and translating policy into compelling narratives
- Proven ability to develop and execute crisis communication plans in real-time
- Expert knowledge of the German media landscape and established relationships with key journalists
- Flair for storytelling with experience creating press office stories and multi-channel campaigns that build reputation and trust
- Confident in advising internal teams on maximizing positive coverage and minimizing negative media cycles
- Ability to distill and articulate complex, nuanced policy topics for different audiences
- Fluent English (spoken and written); German required at business level minimum
- Excellent writing skills—able to craft compelling narratives, precise Q&As, and strategic messaging
- Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills; comfort engaging with journalists, executives, and cross-functional stakeholders
- Can-do, proactive attitude with solutions-focused mindset; strong attention to detail and ability to deliver in fast-paced environments
- Maintains composure in high-pressure situations; awareness of German geopolitics and regulatory dynamics
- Understanding of reputation management and how to leverage data and insights to craft and proactively land data-driven stories in earned media and measure communications impact
What the job involves
- As the Senior Corporate and Policy Communications Manager for DACH & CEE, you will play a central role in shaping and executing the communications strategy for one of our most important European markets
- You will help tell Airbnb's story - how we build trust and belonging in communities—while navigating one of Europe's most complex regulatory landscapes
- Joining our DACH & CEE Communications team based in Berlin, you will work closely with local policy, marketing, legal, and partnerships teams, and forge strong relationships across EMEA and the US
- Your role is critical: Germany's regulatory environment around housing, short-term rentals, and overtourism is complex and politically sensitive and your ability to shape and amplify impactful narratives, anticipate issues, and maintain Airbnb's reputation will directly influence business outcomes and regulatory relationships
- Drive impactful campaigns addressing overtourism challenges through locally relevant nature tourism and travel dispersal narratives, positioning Airbnb as a responsible community actor that builds trust and belonging
- Manage the press office across complex topics: regulatory affairs, housing policy, taxation, community impact, and trust & safety
- Engage directly with journalists in Germany; build and leverage established media contacts to shape narrative and anticipate emerging threats
- Work with cross functional partners to develop, plan and execute a regular drumbeat of robust stories and comms moments that demonstrate Airbnb's contribution to communities and economies while navigating sensitive regulatory terrain
- Lead agency partnerships, setting strategic direction for external communications suppliers
- Protect the business by proactively communicating our commitment to community trust, responsible hosting, and addressing legitimate policy concern
- Develop proactive corporate and policy communications strategy with Germany Policy, Legal, Marketing, and Partnerships teams
- Manage the press office, handling reactive media enquiries and responding to journalists on deadline with strategic messaging
- Build relationships with key reporters and editors in the German media landscape; identify proactive story opportunities
- Develop written communications materials (story pitches, press releases, messaging, Q&As, briefs, presentations)
- Brief executives and colleagues for media interviews and public speaking engagements
- Lead agency partnerships and manage external communications suppliers
- Monitor the news cycle to identify emerging threats and opportunities for proactive communications
- Collaborate with Policy, Legal, Consumer Communications, and global corporate communications teams
Our take
When Airbnb was originally founded, the product helped customers book air mattresses on people's apartment floors. Since then, Airbnb has had over a billion customers hosted through its platform. With more than 4 million registered hosts worldwide, it has grown into a major player in the hospitality sector.
Airbnb has been successful in disrupting the traditional holiday lettings sector. Before it existed accommodation was limited to hotels and bed and breakfasts, but Airbnb has mainstreamed the idea of renting out spare rooms or even entire homes. It has created a new sector of hosts purchasing properties to rent out on the platform and provides a level of flexibility and a range of offerings not previously possible for travelers.
Perhaps a victim of its own success, by 2022 supply of Airbnb-listed properties began to outstrip demand in some markets, as hosts overestimated the appetite for domestic travel. However, the company is still posting strong financials and has unveiled new tools to support its hosts in a tougher rental market. With a healthy bottom line and a huge user base, Airbnb is very likely to overcome the current market turbulence and continue its growth.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
25% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 10 rounds)
Apr 2020
$500m
GROWTH EQUITY VC
Mar 2017
$447.8m
SERIES F
Total funding: $3.8bn
Company benefits
- Paid volunteer time
- Health food and snacks
- Generous parental and family leave
- Learning and development
- Annual travel and experiences credit
Company HQ
Showplace Square, San Francisco, CA
Leadership
Brian Chesky
(Co-Founder & CEO)Previously an Industrial Designer, studying at Rhode Island School of Design.
Nathan Blecharczyk
(Co-Founder & CSO)Studied Computer Science at Harvard, and had around 4 years of professional Software Engineering experience before founding Airbnb, including interning at Microsoft.
Joe Gebbia
(Co-Founder)Also studied Industrial Design at Rhode Island, and previously founded various design-related startups
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