Senior Regulatory Operations Lead

The Community You Will Join: 

The Cities team leads the work necessary to implement the regulatory products and processes needed globally to comply with regulations, and does so in a manner that also sustainably supports Airbnb’s growth.

The Difference You Will Make:

As a Senior Regulatory Operations Lead, you are entrusted with shaping and steering Airbnb’s regulatory strategy by driving high-impact regulatory initiatives across  multiple jurisdictions globally. You bring deep regulatory expertise, proven strategic foresight, and operational excellence that will ensure our regulatory programs not only meet evolving legal requirements, but also enable innovation, trust, and sustainable growth. 

In this role, you will anticipate regulatory trends, translate ambiguous mandates into scalable solutions, and serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership—ultimately strengthening Airbnb’s reputation and resilience in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.

A Typical Day: 

• Strategic Regulatory Leadership: Anticipate and interpret global regulatory developments, providing strategic guidance to senior leadership on potential impacts and opportunities. Develop and implement proactive strategies to navigate complex regulatory landscapes.​

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with cross-functional teams such as Legal, Policy, Product, Engineering, and Global Markets to implement regulatory strategies that address the changing landscape, and anticipate future trends .​

• Regulatory Program Oversight: Design and oversee comprehensive regulatory programs, ensuring adherence to applicable regulations, and industry standards. Monitor program effectiveness and make iterative improvements as necessary.​

• Risk Assessment and Mitigation: Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential regulatory and operational risks. Develop and implement measures to mitigate identified risks, ensuring the organization's resilience against regulatory challenges.​

• Regulatory Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities, managing relationships, facilitating audits, and leading responses to regulatory inquiries. Represent Airbnb in discussions and negotiations with regulators.​

• Monitoring and Reporting: Establish systems to monitor regulatory activities and trends. Provide regular reports to senior leadership highlighting key metrics, issues, and strategic recommendations.​

• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Be aware of emerging technologies and regulatory trends to identify opportunities for innovation in regulatory processes. Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of regulatory operations.

Your Expertise:

• 12+ years of progressive experience in regulatory operations, legal/policy compliance, consulting, or risk management—preferably in technology, financial services, or other highly regulated industries.

• Proven track record leading large-scale, cross-functional regulatory programs at the global or enterprise level.

• Experience advising and influencing senior decision-makers through thought leadership, storytelling, and data-driven recommendations.

• Experience engaging directly with regulators, government bodies, or international agencies.

• Familiarity with regulatory technology and automation tools.

• Ability to operate with a strategic lens—connecting regulatory requirements to long-term business objectives and functional roadmaps.

• Excellent communicator and negotiator; able to transform ambiguity into clarity, and move from complexity to consensus.

• Strong analytical skills and an ability to design operational structures that balance compliance, risk, and scalability.

• Proven leadership growing and coaching high-performing, diverse teams; comfortable leading through influence as well as structure.

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: reasonableaccommodations@airbnb.com. 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 our online application.