Public Policy Manager, Benelux

The Community You Will Join:

Airbnb is one of the world’s largest marketplaces for unique, authentic places to stay and things to do, offering over six million accommodations and 50,000 handcrafted activities, all powered by local hosts. An economic empowerment engine, Airbnb has helped millions of hospitality entrepreneurs monetise their spaces and their passions while keeping the financial benefits of tourism in their own communities. With over one billion guest arrivals to date, and accessible in 62 languages across 220+ countries and regions, Airbnb promotes people-to-people connection, community and trust around the world.

The Team:

Airbnb’s public policy team exists to further the interests of our community of hosts and guests with politicians, regulators, opinion leaders and others who shape the political and legal context for our business, helping them to understand the significant social and economic contributions of our platform. Across the EMEA region, we are engaged in well over a hundred local conversations and negotiations with governments big and small.  We engage governments at local, regional, national and EU levels directly and also use innovative advocacy and partnership strategies in making the case for fair, progressive home sharing rules.

The EU policy team is responsible for managing our relations with the European institutions and other Brussels-based organisations and stakeholders. We are now looking for a Public Policy Manager to support the team in this work.

The Role:

Airbnb’s Public Policy team aims to work closely with politicians, regulators, and the broader public to introduce them to Airbnb, highlight the significant social and economic contribution our business makes to local areas and its residents, and showcase best practices from around the world. We want policymakers to understand the regulatory challenges that affect our community and find models that are good for cities and our thriving local communities. 

Across the region, we are engaged in well over a hundred local conversations and negotiations with governments big and small, and our skilled colleagues and network of activists across the region engage not only governments at local, regional and national levels directly but also use innovative advocacy strategies that actively involve our community in making the case for fair, progressive home sharing rules, and innovative approaches to local experiences.

The Policy Manager will lead government relations, campaign and engagement strategies in the Benalux region, focused on engagement with local officials and regulators. The Policy Manager must be able to build trust and talk to local authorities to help them understand the contribution our community makes, and engage them in the process of partnerships that embrace the potential of the collaborative economy. The Policy Manager must demonstrate excellent project management skills and a consistent ability to think creatively about problems and solutions.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead public policy campaigns aimed at mitigating risks, promoting growth and advancing Airbnb and our host’s interests.
• Support the team in executing the public policy strategy, concentrating mainly on influencing the development of policy impacting host eligibility and the platform throughout the assigned region. 
• Develop communications, local stakeholder engagement strategy and partnership programs; establish new and maintain existing relationships with an extensive network of contacts.
• Represent Airbnb in coalitions and associations to advance advocacy initiatives.
• Engage in research, writing and other activities to provide analysis and critical thinking on developments impacting the company in the region. 
• Manage local consultants and agencies to support policy efforts. 
• Monitor and analyze legislation and regulation and  local issues that may have pan-regional implications.
• Ensures progress is reported regularly, and roadblocks flagged in a timely fashion.

Requirements:

• At least 8+ years experience direct lobbying or working in public policy in a political, governmental, consulting or regulatory context 
• Experience developing multifaceted campaigns including the use of paid and earned media and mobilization techniques
• Ability to quickly get up to speed on complex technical and regulatory issues
• Fluent in Flemish and English

• Ability to manage multiple projects and navigate a complex matrix organization with multiple stakeholders
• Extremely creative; takes an entrepreneurial approach to the work with proven track record 
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills; ability to resolve complex and unfamiliar problems in a timely manner
• Highly results-driven and strives to find the most efficient way to do things without sacrificing a high quality of work and/or results
• Excellent communicator with great presentation and writing skills
• Acute attention to detail; extremely organized and able to help keep others organized

• Strong work ethic, and exhibits professionalism, courtesy and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to exercise judgment and maintain confidentiality
• Embraces challenges with a positive and solutions oriented approach
• Self-starter with a sense of humor and the ability to thrive in a fast moving and sometimes stressful environment
• Passionate about Airbnb and the collaborative economy
• Willingness to travel

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.

Offices: Belgium