Director, Ads Partnerships

KAYAK, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is the world’s leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms, we help people find their perfect flight, stay, rental car and vacation package. We’re also transforming business travel with a new corporate travel solution, KAYAK for Business.

As an employee of KAYAK, you will be part of a travel company that operates a portfolio of global metasearch brands including momondo, Cheapflights and HotelsCombined, among others. From start-up to industry leader, innovation is in our DNA and every employee has an opportunity to make their mark. Our focus is on building the best travel search engine to make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

KAYAK is seeking a Director, Ads Partnerships to lead and expand a portfolio of high-value advertising relationships across EMEA. In this role, you will own the strategy, roadmap and performance of non-endemic partnerships (tourism boards & non-travel brands), driving significant revenue growth across KAYAK’s full suite of advertising, media, and creative solutions. As a leader, you will foster a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation, whilst contributing to the overall regional performance.

This role will be required to work from our selected (London, Berlin, Barcelona or Zurich) office at least 3 days per week.

Please submit your CV in English.

• Own and execute the comprehensive roadmap for managing and scaling KAYAK’s non-endemic accounts for the EMEA region.

• Cultivate and maintain deep, influential relationships with high level executives and key decision-makers at the world’s largest tourism boards & non-travel brands.

• Serve as the primary consultant for your partners, deeply understanding their business objectives and aligning KAYAK’s product ecosystem, advertising & creative solutions to drive success against KPIs.

• Lead high-stakes negotiations for renewals, incremental upsells, and identify new commercial opportunities to deliver against ambitious revenue targets.

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of sales manager(s), fostering a culture of high-impact client advocacy and commercial excellence.

• Partner cross-functionally with Client Success, in-house content Production Team, Ad Operations and Marketing to develop bespoke solutions.

• Demonstrated excellence in exceeding ambitious revenue targets as both an individual and sales leader, driving sustained commercial growth.

• A deep network of tourism boards, media agencies, and non-travel brand contacts is essential.

• Previous experience selling creative solutions (e.g. Influencer campaigns, microsite & content production).

• An exceptional understanding of the online media & advertising landscape.

• Mastery of C-level communication and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with influential executives.

• Expert negotiating skills, understands complex commercial agreements, and can leverage data to build compelling business cases.

• A passion for delivering results in a high-growth environment, with the leadership skills to establish new benchmarks and shape our global organizational roadmap.

• 5 weeks of paid vacation

• Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday

• Private health & dental insurance

• Income protection and life assurance

• Pension plan contributions

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year

• Focus on mental health and well-being:

  • Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth

  • Company-paid subscription to Headspace

  • Company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)

• No meeting Fridays

• Paid parental leave

• Paid volunteer time

• Focus on your career growth:

  • Development Dollars

  • Leadership development

  • Access to thousand of on-demand e-learnings

• Travel Discounts

• Employee Resource Groups

• Employee Assistance Program - including 24/7 GP & free legal advice

• Discounted gym membership

• Bike2Work

• Season ticket loan

• Social events & Thursday happy hours

• Free lunch 2 days per week

At KAYAK, we want everyone to have the space to grow, share ideas and do great work. That’s why we’re focused on hiring the best talent from all walks of life and experiences, supporting them well and making sure no one feels like they have to fit a mold to belong here.

Need an accommodation for the interview, application or on the job? No problem - just give us a heads-up. We’ve got you.

#LI-AS1