Lead Program Manager, Design

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’s Design Operations team ensures the Design organization runs effectively and at scale, enabling teams to deliver products that are usable, lovable, and globally impactful. This team partners closely with Design, Product Management, Engineering, Marketing, Creative and business leaders, fostering strong alignment and seamless day-to-day operations. The environment is highly collaborative, fast-moving, and focused on scaling design impact through operational excellence.

The Difference You Will Make:

As a Lead Design Program Manager, you will own the end-to-end program management of a design team focused on delivering critical product initiatives. You will scope, plan, execute, and launch programs that directly impact Airbnb’s hosts and guests while aligning closely with roadmap commitments. Success in this role means ensuring cross-functional alignment, proactively managing risks, and driving operational consistency that enables Design to deliver measurable outcomes at scale.

A Typical Day:

• Partner with Design Managers, Directors, and cross-functional leaders to align on program scope, timelines, and deliverables.

• Establish operating rhythms across design teams, including communication cadences, resource planning, and leadership check-ins.

• Lead the planning and execution of large product launches, ensuring design workstreams are delivered with quality and on time.

• Serve as the bridge across Design, Engineering, Product Marketing, and Business teams, ensuring visibility, communication, and risk management.

• Drive continuous improvement by running internal initiatives to strengthen operational excellence and cross-functional collaboration.

• Anticipate and resolve obstacles across teams, proactively elevating risks and implementing solutions.

Your Expertise

• 12+ years of experience in Consulting, Program Management, Product/Project Management, or related fields.

• Proven ability to manage and deliver impactful design initiatives in large digital product organizations.

• Strong track record in navigating ambiguity, structuring solutions, and driving initiatives from conception through launch.

• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance long-term thinking with near-term execution.

• Demonstrated leadership in mediation, negotiation, and conflict resolution, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

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