Process Strategy and Optimization Lead

About the role

In this role, you will lead initiatives aimed at improving operational processes within Airbnb's Fraud and Safety Operations. Your responsibilities will include driving operational excellence, managing cross-functional teams, and implementing data-driven solutions to enhance the user experience.

You will work closely with various stakeholders to align operational goals with system designs and project delivery plans. Success in this position requires a deep understanding of operational data and the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement through Lean and Six Sigma principles.

The base pay for this role ranges from $106,000 to $125,000 USD, with potential for bonuses and equity.

Skills that matter here

• Operational Excellence: This role focuses on driving operational excellence across key programs to meet the goals of the fraud and safety operations team.
• Process Improvement: You will lead end-to-end process improvement efforts, utilizing data and customer insights to identify opportunities for innovation.
• Data Analysis: Strong data-driven problem-solving skills are essential for defining and measuring KPIs to track performance.
• Project Management: Managing cross-functional project teams and ensuring timely delivery of initiatives will be a key part of this role.
• Lean/Six Sigma: You will apply Lean and Six Sigma principles to foster continuous improvement and operational optimization.
• Stakeholder Communication: The ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders is crucial for achieving strategic alignment.

Who this role suits

• Someone with a strong background in engineering or management consulting.
• A self-starter who takes ownership and shows initiative in fast-paced environments.
• An individual with proven experience in driving operational excellence in large-scale organizations.
• A professional who excels in communicating and influencing stakeholders across various functions.

From the employer

Responsibilities

• Drive operational excellence across key programs which tie directly with the topline goals of the fraud and safety operations team.
• Lead end-to-end process improvement efforts through business case development, establishing measurement systems, root cause analysis, developing and launching innovative solutions, and establishing control and feedback mechanisms to ensure solutions stick.
• Translate business and operational requirements to cross functional stakeholders across our platform product, tools, policy, engineering, and shared services teams.
• Achieve strategic alignment across cross-functional stakeholders to ensure operational goals are embedded in system design, roadmap prioritization, and delivery plans.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and innovation, grounded in operational data, customer insights, and market trends.
• Act as a subject matter expert on workflows, tools, and processes across Fraud and Safety Operations domains, while staying informed about emerging technologies and industry best practices.
• Thoughtful application and execution of AI into our operations teams, to minimize waste, streamline process, and drive consistency in delivery.
• Lead cross-functional project teams to deliver initiatives on time and within budget; manage dependencies, communicate risks, and ensure successful adoption.
• Champion continuous improvement, fostering Lean and Six Sigma principles through training, mentoring, and hands-on leadership of improvement projects.
• Define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across functional domains to measure impact and identify areas for optimization.
• Promote a data-driven culture, ensuring decisions are informed by robust analytics and operational insights.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Science, or a related field (Management consulting, Industrial engineering, or similar background is preferred).
• 6+ years of experience driving operational excellence across large-scaled operations, with a proven track record of results.
• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement and operational optimization in complex, global organizations.
• Strong data-driven problem-solving skills, with proven experience in defining and measuring KPIs.
• Experience implementing quality assurance frameworks and process governance to maintain high operational standards.
• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders in a matrixed environment.
• Strong organizational, project management, and stakeholder communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in fast-paced environments.
• Self-starter with a high degree of ownership, initiative, and autonomy.
• Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP certification or comparable is a plus.

Conditions

• Base pay range: $106,000 — $125,000 USD.
• This role may also be eligible for bonus, equity, benefits, and Employee Travel Credits.