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 Public Policy team partners with governments, legislators, regulators, and community stakeholders to shape fair, forward-looking rules for the sharing economy. We work across local, national, and regional levels to ensure policymakers understand the economic and social value our host community brings to cities and countries, while addressing legitimate concerns around housing, safety, and community impact. Combining rigorous policy analysis with strategic partnerships, research, data insights, community engagement, media strategy, and targeted advocacy campaigns, we operate both proactively and reactively to advance sustainable regulatory frameworks. Our goal is to create durable policy solutions that enable our hosts to thrive, support responsible tourism, and position Airbnb as a constructive, long-term partner to governments and communities.
The Difference You Will Make:
The Head of Policy, ANZ (Policy Lead) is responsible for developing and executing a fully integrated plan across Australia and New Zealand, using all available strategies and resources, informed by data, local insights and best practices that aims to protect and further the growth of Airbnb and our community.
The Head of Policy, ANZ (Policy Lead) is also responsible for working in partnership with the supporting the relevant cross functional teams in identifying strategic business opportunities in the region, ensuring that opportunities to implement projects and initiatives in the region are flagged
A Typical Day:
- Strategy development and execution: Own the development and execution of comprehensive public policy strategies for each priority state in Australia and/or New Zealand, as determined through close collaboration with the Regional Director for Asia Pacific, the Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand and other cross-functional leaders in Australia and New Zealand. This includes securing regulatory clarity, mitigating business risk, and enabling sustainable supply growth. It will entail the development of detailed plans for achieving policy outcomes using earned and paid media, digital communication, mobilization tactics and partnership development.
- Government and regulatory engagement: Develop and maintain trusted relationships with senior policymakers, regulators, legislators, and enforcement authorities at local, state, and national levels. Lead legislative and regulatory engagement, including negotiating statutory language, drafting regulatory submissions, shaping implementation guidance, and advancing policy reforms that support responsible home sharing and tourism growth.
- Campaign design and execution: Design and execute integrated advocacy campaigns that combine policy analysis, research, media strategy, coalition building, community mobilization, digital engagement, and strategic partnerships. Deploy a range of tools — from data-driven research and economic analysis to earned and paid media — to influence policy outcomes and shift public narratives.
- Business advisory and cross-functional leadership: Advise senior leadership and cross-functional teams (Legal, Communications, Supply, Marketing) on regulatory developments and emerging risks. Translate complex policy environments into clear strategic recommendations that inform operational decisions, and go-to-market strategies.
- Team leadership: Lead and develop a high-performing public policy team, setting clear priorities, performance expectations, and accountability frameworks. Foster an inclusive culture grounded in collaboration, integrity, and strategic rigor. Ensure disciplined execution, resource allocation, and stakeholder alignment.
- Coalition and stakeholder development: Build and manage coalitions with industry partners, trade associations, civil society groups, research institutions, and community stakeholders. Identify and cultivate credible third-party advocates to support policy objectives.
- External advocacy and reputation management: Represent Airbnb at senior political and industry forums, and serve as a spokesperson when appropriate. Proactively manage reputational risks and respond to emerging regulatory challenges with coordinated, strategic engagement.
- Risk mitigation: Continuously monitor legislative and regulatory developments, anticipate emerging threats, and implement mitigation strategies to protect the company’s operating model and long-term growth trajectory.
- Consultant and resource management: Manage the ANZ Policy budget, and external advisors and consultants, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, clear deliverables, and disciplined execution.
Your Expertise:
- Experience and Policy Expertise
- At least twelve (12) years of experience working on complex public policy, regulatory, or legislative issues in government, private sector, consulting, or non-governmental organizations; experience spanning both public and private sectors is preferred.
- Demonstrated track record of influencing regulatory or legislative outcomes, including shaping statutory language, regulatory frameworks, or implementation guidance.
- Direct experience in one or more relevant sectors such as tourism, housing, land use, urban policy, technology platforms, digital marketplaces, or e-commerce regulation.
- Experience operating in politically sensitive or high-profile regulatory environments where media, community, and stakeholder dynamics materially influence outcomes.
- Leadership and Organizational Capability
- Significant people leadership experience, including building, developing, and retaining high-performing teams.
- Demonstrated strength in delegation, performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
- Experience leading through ambiguity and change, setting clear priorities in fast-moving environments with competing demands.
- Proven ability to manage external advisors and consultants with disciplined accountability and strategic alignment.
- Strategic and Analytical Skills
- Ability to synthesize complex legal, regulatory, and political developments into clear strategic recommendations for leadership.
- Experience designing and executing integrated advocacy strategies that may include coalition-building, research, data analysis, media engagement, and community mobilization.
- Strong political judgment and risk assessment skills, with the ability to anticipate regulatory threats and identify opportunities.
- Stakeholder and Communication Skills
- Credibility and presence to engage confidently with senior government officials, regulators, legislators, industry leaders, and media when required.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy submissions, position papers, executive briefings, and public-facing materials.
- Proven ability to influence senior internal stakeholders and align cross-functional teams around shared policy objectives.
- Operating Style
- Highly self-directed, capable of operating independently in under-resourced or evolving environments while maintaining strategic discipline.
- Willingness to travel frequently as required.
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.