📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Creative Lead Design
🔹 Company: Airbnb
🔹 Location: United States (Remote OK)
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Design & Creative
🔹 Date Posted: April 24, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Remote OK
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Building brand strategy and executing branding/marketing efforts across Airbnb.org
- Designing campaigns to drive awareness, growth, and loyalty among donors
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams such as marcomms, product, operations, PR/communications, growth marketing, host community, legal, and more
- Championing and executing world-class design, visual storytelling, and elevating design craft across the organization
- Supporting external creative and production agencies to ensure high-quality and consistent work
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively with various teams.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Hands-on execution of world-class design, from strategy and concept to point and pixel-perfect artwork
✅ Contributing to large-scale, strategic initiatives spanning multiple teams
✅ Championing and executing the craft of design and visual storytelling
✅ Responsible for all brand representation across the organizations
✅ Partnering with Brand and Campaign Creative to ensure brand creative direction and voice is consistent across all touchpoints
✅ Collaborating with various departments, producers, program managers, photographers, and illustrators to achieve finished products on time and on budget
✅ Supporting external creative and production agencies to execute work of the highest quality and consistency
✅ Championing Airbnb’s mission of connection and belonging at every step
ASSUMPTION: The role involves a high volume of creativity and content, requiring strong multitasking skills and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Design, Fine Arts, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience: 10+ years of experience within a creative agency or in-house at a leading brand
Required Skills:
- Expertise in visual design, copywriting, art direction, motion graphics, and interactive design
- Strong presentation skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts in simple terms
- Strategic and systems-based thinking
- Experience with brand strategy and marketing campaigns
- Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with nonprofits or social impact organizations
- Fluency in additional languages
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should have a diverse portfolio of interactive and innovative communications work that demonstrates their passion for the craft of design and their ability to manage high-volume creativity and content.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $176,000 - $215,000 USD per year
Benefits:
- Bonus
- Equity
- Benefits
- Employee Travel Credits
Working Hours: Full-time, with occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed with the manager
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a role of this level and experience. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs, and market demands.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Airbnb operates in the hospitality and travel industry, with a focus on connecting people and fostering a sense of belonging through unique stays and experiences.
Company Size: Airbnb is a large company with 5,001-10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Airbnb was founded in 2007 and has since grown to over 5 million Hosts and 1.5 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe.
Company Description:
- Airbnb is a global travel community that offers magical travel opportunities, including where you stay, what you do, and the people you meet.
- The company uniquely leverages technology to economically empower millions of people around the world to unlock and monetize their spaces, passions, and talents to become hospitality entrepreneurs.
- Airbnb’s accommodation marketplace offers access to millions of places to stay in more than 191 countries, from apartments and villas to castles, treehouses, and B&Bs.
Company Specialties:
- Travel accommodations
- Collaborative economy
- Hospitality
Company Website: airbnb.com
ASSUMPTION: Airbnb’s mission and values are centered around connection, belonging, and fostering a sense of community, which is reflected in the company’s culture and approach to work.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior level, requiring extensive experience and expertise in creative leadership and design.
Reporting Structure: The Creative Lead Design will report directly to the Executive Director of Airbnb.org and collaborate with various cross-functional teams.
Work Arrangement: This role is remote-eligible, with occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed with the manager.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential to shape the brand strategy and visual identity of Airbnb.org
- Opportunities to collaborate with and learn from talented team members across various departments
- Possibility to grow within the organization as Airbnb.org expands its reach and impact
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Lead Design role offers significant growth potential, as Airbnb.org aims to exponentially increase its reach and impact over the next three years.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Airbnb’s offices are designed to foster collaboration, creativity, and a sense of community, with open workspaces and dedicated areas for team meetings and brainstorming sessions.
Office Location(s): Airbnb has offices in San Francisco, CA; Singapore; and Dublin, Ireland. However, this role is remote-eligible and can be performed from any location within the United States.
Geographic Context:
- The United States offers a diverse range of cultural, social, and professional opportunities, with vibrant cities and communities across the country.
- The remote work arrangement provides flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere within the United States.
- Airbnb’s global presence allows for collaboration with team members and stakeholders from various countries and time zones.
Work Schedule: Full-time, with occasional work at an Airbnb office or attendance at offsites, as agreed with the manager. The work schedule may vary depending on the project and team needs.
ASSUMPTION: The remote work arrangement offers flexibility and the ability to balance work and personal responsibilities more effectively.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening with the HR team
- Portfolio review and design challenge
- On-site or video interview with the hiring manager and cross-functional team members
- Final decision and offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Design skills and portfolio quality
- Strategic thinking and brand strategy development
- Communication and presentation skills
- Collaboration and teamwork abilities
- Alignment with Airbnb’s mission, values, and company culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your design skills, brand strategy experience, and alignment with Airbnb’s mission and values.
- Prepare a diverse portfolio of work that demonstrates your creativity, versatility, and ability to manage high-volume content.
- Be ready to discuss your design process, inspiration, and the results you’ve achieved in previous projects.
- Research Airbnb.org and be prepared to discuss how you would approach building the brand strategy and driving awareness, growth, and loyalty among donors.
ATS Keywords: Creative Lead, Design, Brand Strategy, Marketing, Visual Storytelling, Collaboration, Presentation Skills, Art Direction, Copywriting, Motion Graphics, Interactive Design, Multitasking, Strategic Thinking, Systems Thinking, Communication, Project Management, Nonprofit, Social Impact, Airbnb.org
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their skills, experience, and alignment with Airbnb’s mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
- Sketch or Figma
- Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Word)
- Project management tools (Asana, JIRA, Trello)
- Communication and collaboration tools (Slack, Microsoft Teams)
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard design tools and comfortable learning new tools as needed.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Belonging
- Trust
- Inclusion and diversity
- Connection
- Community
- Curiosity
- Courage
- Integrity
- Growth
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Adaptable and flexible
- Results-driven and proactive
- Creative and innovative
- Strategic and forward-thinking
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you embody Airbnb’s values of belonging, inclusion, and diversity in your personal and professional life?
- How do you approach building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders?
- How do you balance creativity and innovation with strategic thinking and practical execution?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be able to demonstrate their alignment with Airbnb’s values and work style, as well as their ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced, and dynamic work environment.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing a high volume of creativity and content, requiring strong multitasking skills and project management abilities
- Collaborating effectively with various cross-functional teams and stakeholders, each with their own priorities and timelines
- Balancing the need for strategic, long-term vision with short-term deliverables and deadlines
- Working remotely and maintaining a strong sense of connection and belonging with team members and the broader Airbnb community
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Lead Design role presents unique challenges that require strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills, as well as the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Creative Director vs. Creative Lead: While both roles involve creative leadership and strategic thinking, the Creative Lead Design role is more focused on brand strategy and marketing efforts, while the Creative Director role may encompass a broader range of creative disciplines and teams.
- Brand Manager vs. Creative Lead: The Brand Manager role is more focused on brand strategy, positioning, and messaging, while the Creative Lead Design role involves hands-on design execution, visual storytelling, and collaboration with various creative teams.
- Career Path: Creative Lead Design → Creative Director → Chief Creative Officer: This career path offers opportunities for growth and progression within the creative leadership track, with increasing responsibility for strategic direction, team management, and cross-functional collaboration.
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Lead Design role offers a unique blend of strategic thinking, creative execution, and cross-functional collaboration, making it an attractive opportunity for experienced designers looking to advance their careers in the creative leadership track.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing a comprehensive brand strategy and visual identity for Airbnb.org, including logo design, color palette, typography, and brand guidelines
- Designing and executing marketing campaigns to drive awareness, growth, and loyalty among Airbnb.org donors, including email marketing, social media advertising, and print materials
- Collaborating with the Airbnb.org team to create engaging and informative content for the website, including landing pages, blog posts, and user-generated content
ASSUMPTION: The Creative Lead Design role offers a wide range of projects and opportunities to make a significant impact on Airbnb.org’s brand, marketing efforts, and overall success.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the current state of Airbnb.org’s brand and how you would approach evolving and strengthening it?
- How do you envision collaborating with cross-functional teams to bring your designs to life and ensure consistent brand representation across all touchpoints?
- How do you balance the need for creative innovation with the need for strategic, long-term vision and practical execution?
- Can you provide examples of how you have approached building and maintaining strong, productive relationships with cross-functional teams and stakeholders in previous roles?
- How do you ensure that your design work is inclusive, accessible, and resonates with a diverse global audience?
ASSUMPTION: Candidates should be prepared to discuss their design process, inspiration, and the results they’ve achieved in previous projects, as well as their approach to brand strategy, cross-functional collaboration, and inclusive design.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your design skills, brand strategy experience, and alignment with Airbnb’s mission and values.
- Prepare a diverse portfolio of work that demonstrates your creativity, versatility, and ability to manage high-volume content.
- Be ready to discuss your design process, inspiration, and the results you’ve achieved in previous projects.
- Research Airbnb.org and be prepared to discuss how you would approach building the brand strategy and driving awareness, growth, and loyalty among donors.
- Follow up with the Airbnb HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
