📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Director, Art (Social)
🔹 Company: Airbnb
🔹 Location: United States (Remote Eligible)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Marketing & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: April 23, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 12+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading the development of creative ideas for Airbnb’s social presence
- Creating best-in-class visual storytelling across social channels
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to execute compelling social-first campaigns
- Elevating the brand's cultural presence and driving brand love
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong understanding of social media trends, cultural relevance, and a proven track record in art direction or visual design.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead and create best-in-class visual storytelling across Airbnb’s social channels
✅ Concept and execute compelling social-first campaigns and content alongside your copy partner
✅ Champion breakthrough ideas and translate insights into bold creative direction
✅ Collaborate with producers, editors, brand teams, and external partners to bring work to life
✅ Advocate for best practices in social creative and help evolve the visual language of Airbnb across formats and platforms
✅ Stay tapped into trends in design, social, pop culture, and tech—and bring fresh thinking to the table
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to work well under pressure.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 12+ years of experience in art direction or visual design, with a focus on content and campaigns for culturally relevant brands
Required Skills:
- Expert-level visual taste and attention to detail, with fluency in design principles and production processes
- Proven track record of leading cross-platform, social-first campaigns that resonate with online communities
- Strong creative leadership, with the ability to guide teams while executing your own ideas
- Collaborative mindset and strong communication skills—able to articulate concepts clearly and persuasively to partners at all levels
- Passion for Airbnb’s mission and curiosity for how the brand can thrive in new spaces
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working across in-house, agency, and/or studio environments
- Fluency in multiple design software tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch, Figma)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with a diverse portfolio showcasing high-impact work across social, digital, film, and experiential will be strongly considered.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $208,000 - $260,000 USD per year (based on experience and market demands)
Benefits:
- Bonus
- Equity
- Benefits
- Employee Travel Credits
Working Hours: Full-time, with the expectation to work PST hours
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market data and may vary depending on factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Airbnb operates in the Software Development industry, focusing on travel accommodations, collaborative economy, and hospitality.
Company Size: Airbnb is a large company with 5,001-10,000 employees, offering a diverse range of opportunities and resources for employees.
Founded: Airbnb was founded in 2007 and has since grown to over 5 million Hosts and 1.5 billion guest arrivals worldwide.
Company Description:
- Airbnb is a community-based platform that connects hosts and guests, enabling authentic travel experiences and promoting a sense of belonging.
- The company offers unique stays and experiences, allowing guests to connect with communities in a more meaningful way.
- Airbnb's in-house Creative team is a multi-disciplinary group working together to shape and express the brand across every touchpoint.
Company Specialties:
- Travel accommodations
- Collaborative economy
- Hospitality
Company Website: airbnb.com
ASSUMPTION: Airbnb's mission and values are centered around creating a world where anyone can belong anywhere, fostering a culture of belonging, and promoting diversity and inclusion.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior individual contributor (hands-on) level, requiring a high level of expertise and experience in art direction or visual design.
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Marketing organization and works closely with Advertising, Product Design, and Social teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is Remote Eligible, with the expectation to work PST hours. The role may include occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed to with the manager.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to grow within the Creative team or explore other opportunities within the Marketing organization
- Chance to work on high-impact campaigns and projects that drive brand awareness and engagement
- Opportunity to mentor and guide junior team members, fostering a culture of learning and development
ASSUMPTION: Airbnb offers a dynamic and collaborative work environment that encourages creativity, innovation, and continuous learning.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Airbnb's headquarters are located in San Francisco, CA, with additional offices in Singapore and Dublin.
Office Location(s): 888 Brannan Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, US; 158 Cecil St, Singapore, Singapore 069545, SG; South Lotts Road, Dublin, County Dublin, IE
Geographic Context:
- The United States offers a diverse range of cultural experiences, allowing for a rich source of inspiration for social media content.
- The remote work arrangement provides flexibility and the opportunity to work from various locations within the US.
- The expectation to work PST hours may require some adjustment for candidates living in different time zones.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with the expectation to work PST hours
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a remote environment and be able to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Phone or video screen with a member of the recruitment team
- Portfolio review and creative challenge with the hiring manager and/or team members
- Final interview with the Creative Director or another senior leader within the Marketing organization
Key Assessment Areas:
- Creativity and visual storytelling skills
- Understanding of social media trends and cultural relevance
- Collaboration and communication skills
- Alignment with Airbnb's mission and values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in art direction or visual design, with a focus on social media campaigns and culturally relevant brands
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your creative process
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of Airbnb's brand and how you would contribute to its cultural presence
ATS Keywords: Art Direction, Visual Design, Social Media, Creative Leadership, Campaign Development, Cultural Relevance, Attention to Detail, Trend Awareness, Communication, Brand Identity, Digital Content, Experiential Design, Production Processes
ASSUMPTION: Airbnb's application process is designed to assess candidates' creativity, technical skills, and cultural fit, ensuring the best possible match for the role and the organization.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Sketch or Figma
- Social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Jira)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be proficient in using design software tools and have a strong understanding of social media platforms and their features.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Belonging
- Trust
- Curiosity
- Diversity
- Inclusion
- Integrity
- Courage
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Creative and innovative
- Results-driven and proactive
- Adaptable and responsive to change
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Airbnb's values in your daily work?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt your creative approach to meet a client's or team's needs
- How do you ensure that your work is inclusive and resonates with diverse audiences?
ASSUMPTION: Airbnb's culture is built on a foundation of belonging, trust, and inclusivity, fostering a work environment that values diversity, curiosity, and courage.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Adapting to changes in the social media landscape and Airbnb's brand strategy
- Collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams and external partners
- Balancing creative vision with practical constraints and budgetary considerations
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and be able to manage their time effectively to meet project deadlines.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on social media and cultural relevance, requiring a strong understanding of both creative and strategic aspects of brand management
- Compared to other art director roles, this position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact campaigns and drive brand awareness and engagement
- Career progression may include moving into a management role or exploring other opportunities within the Marketing organization
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be aware of the unique aspects of this role and how it differs from other art director positions in the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a social media campaign to launch a new Airbnb experience or product feature
- Creating a series of visually compelling posts to celebrate a cultural event or holiday
- Designing an experiential event or installation to showcase Airbnb's brand and connect with customers
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experience with similar projects and how they approached them creatively and strategically.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the overall creative strategy for Airbnb's social media presence?
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does the Creative team collaborate with other departments, such as Product Design and Advertising?
- What opportunities are there for growth and development within the Creative team or the broader Marketing organization?
- How does Airbnb support work-life balance for its employees?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrate their interest in the role and their understanding of Airbnb's brand and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and portfolio to highlight your experience in art direction or visual design, with a focus on social media campaigns and culturally relevant brands
- Prepare a strong portfolio showcasing your best work and explaining your creative process
- Be ready to discuss your understanding of Airbnb's brand and how you would contribute to its cultural presence
- Follow up with the hiring manager or recruitment team one week after submitting your application, inquiring about the status of your application and expressing your continued interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
