Senior Public Policy Manager, Italy

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 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 and regulatory 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 and national levels directly and also use innovative advocacy and partnership strategies that actively involve our community and our stakeholders in making the case for fair, progressive home sharing rules.

We organize ourselves in integrated campaign groups, drawing on a wide range of tools and disciplines - from detailed policy and government relations work, through high-impact partnerships, proactive media relations, community organizing, digital platforms and content, polling, and innovative data science and research. We use the combined might of these disciplines to progress our overall policy agenda.

The difference you will make:

We are looking for a Senior Public Policy Manager to advance our regulatory work across Southern Europe, with a primary focus on Italy and Milan in view of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026.

This role will report to the Campaign Lead for Southern Europe, and you will be part of the multi-skilled campaign team, helping to define, design and implement high-impact strategic policy and partnerships initiatives.

In this role you must be skilled in regulatory engagement with a wide variety of external stakeholders at national and regional but also at local level - able to work proactively with elected officials, governments as well as administrative bodies to help design regulations, and help stakeholders understand the contribution of the collaborative economy to sustainable tourism.

You must, in particular, be able to understand complex regulatory topics related to short term rentals and engage in policy discussions and negotiations on these.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about Airbnb’s mission, and have proven experience in regulatory, partnership and political work in a relevant business or non-governmental organization, or in a political, governmental or regulatory context.

Frequent travel within Italy should be expected and to other Southern European countries, along with occasional travel within Europe and to our global headquarters in San Francisco.

A typical day:

• Support the Campaign Lead in developing political and partnerships strategies and priorities, advise on local needs, plan relevant activities and design policy positions across Italy and other Southern European countries - with a particular focus on the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026;
• Support the Campaign Lead in developing political strategies and priorities, advise on local needs, plan relevant activities and design policy positions across these geographies;
• Identify partnership opportunities - new potential partners and partnerships programmes - work with partners to develop MOU’s, work with internal teams to deliver on partner MOU’s and maintain partner/stakeholder relationships;
• Support on Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026 partnerships and local initiatives in a cross-functional way with the other functions in the region;
• Act as Airbnb’s representative in meetings with government and regulatory stakeholders, in coalitions and collaborations to advance Airbnb’s advocacy initiatives, including crafting and negotiating language for legislation, drafting comments on administrative registrations, and authoring issue briefs and position papers;
• Establish new and maintain existing relationships with the national government and local governments, with a primary focus on the City of Milan and host regions and cities of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Milano-Cortina 2026;
• Monitor regulatory matters in municipalities and regions across Italy and advise the company with respect to policy challenges;
• Engage in research, writing and other activities to provide analysis and critical thinking on developments affecting Airbnb’s priorities;
• Manage the consultants who provide on-the-ground support, ensuring that they are properly briefed and engaging energetically on behalf of Airbnb in line with the agreed strategy;
• Flag local policy issues that may have pan-regional implications, and work with colleagues elsewhere in Europe and in San Francisco to develop global solutions and approaches as required.

Your expertise:

• At least eight years of direct experience working with complex political or regulatory issues in a relevant business or non-governmental organisation, or in a political, governmental or regulatory context. Ideally, this experience has been built in travel, urbanism or technology.

• • Good knowledge of the regulatory landscape and legislative processes in Italy are mandatory. Some knowledge of the regulatory landscape in other Southern European countries would be an advantage.
  • Degree in political science, law or economics is mandatory.
  • Proven ability to build and sustain networks of influence across a broad range of stakeholders;
  • Experience of managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders
  • First-rate personal, political, analytical and organizational skills;
  • Proven ability to establish networks within political stakeholder communities on local and/or national level;
  • An eye for detail - with an ability to very quickly get up to speed on complex technical and regulatory issues;
  • Excellent communicator with great interpersonal, writing and presentation skills;
  • Ability to work independently as well as a team player in a multi-task work environment while producing the highest calibre work product in a timely manner;
  • Ability to thrive in a fast moving and sometimes stressful environment;
  • Travel required within cities in Italy, other countries of the region could also be required;
  • Candidates must speak fluent Italian and English. You must submit your application in English.
  • The role is based in Milan where the Airbnb office is.

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.