Airbnb : Plus
Design Manager
Design team : 12 (ICs + managers)
To better support potential Plus Hosts we built an experience to make upgrading a listing easier. From onboarding through assessment, design planning and implementation to merchandising and management. This multi-sided experience includes new innovations like the Remote Room Capture Tool and the Interior Design Proposal saving hours (and money) our hosts streamlining a once long and complicated journey.
Airbnb Plus began as a curated selection of listings that received hands-on support from Airbnb to meet elevated quality standards. However, to scale the program globally, we needed to reimagine the entire end-to-end journey—from onboarding and assessment to design planning, implementation, merchandising, and long-term management. This vision was translated into a series of key initiatives mapped across a multi-year roadmap.
As the Design Manager and Directly Responsible Individual (DRI) for Airbnb Plus, I led a mid-sized team of designers, content strategists, and researchers. We kicked off with a vision sprint to define the product direction, leveraging insights from Host interviews, user feedback, and strategic intuition. We iterated on the feature set in close collaboration with key stakeholders to ensure alignment throughout the process.
Host Central : More than just a dashboard, Host Central is a dedicated partner that guides new Plus Hosts through every step of the upgrade journey. By reducing friction and improving efficiency, it opens access to Airbnb Plus and strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional, design-forward stays at scale.
Remote Room Capture Tool : Originally developed to help Plus Hosts upgrade their listings remotely, this tool became critical during COVID-19, evolving into the core listing verification solution for all Hosts on Airbnb.
Design Proposal : A streamlined tool that dramatically reduces the time, cost, and complexity of becoming Plus-certified—making it easier than ever for Hosts to elevate their listings.