Director, App Acquisition & Lifecycle Marketing

KAYAK part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) is a leading travel search engine. With billions of queries across our platforms we help people find their perfect flight stay rental car and vacation package. Were 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.

Were looking for a Director Lifecycle Marketing & App Acquisition to join our Brand Marketing team and help shape how millions of travelers discover and engage with this role youll lead the strategy behind our lifecycle marketing programs and app acquisition efforts - connecting the right message to the right traveler at the right moment. Youll report into our SVP of Global Brand & B2B Marketing and collaborate with a globally distributed team spanning brand creative performance marketing and commercial partnerships.

This role requires you to commute to our Cambridge MA; Norwalk CT; or Miami FL offices 3 times per week.

• Define and lead KAYAKs lifecycle marketing strategy and CRM efforts as a key lever for app performance partnering with lifecycle specialists on email push notifications and in-app messaging to drive activation repeat usage and retention for acquired users; ensuring communications are timely relevant and personalized.

• Lead and scale KAYAKs global app acquisition strategy owning the end-to-end app growth funnel from awareness and install through to first booking with a strong emphasis on volume user quality and cost efficiency.

• Design and execute multi-channel paid app acquisition programs (e.g. across search social and other app networks) defining clear KPIs and optimization frameworks to drive sustainable growth.

• Own and evolve the Get the App (GTA) and web-to-app journey partnering with Product and Engineering to improve deep linking on-site placements and conversion from web traffic into installs.

• Oversee App Store Optimization (ASO) across iOS and Android improving organic discoverability rankings and store conversion in collaboration with Creative and Product teams.

• Define and align app growth targets and forecasts with Commercial Marketing and Finance creating a clear view of channel performance budget needs and expected returns.

• Build mentor and lead a high-performing team (including specialists across app acquisition and lifecycle) setting clear goals providing regular feedback and creating growth opportunities that help each person do their best work.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Brand Marketing Product Engineering Analytics and regional marketing teams to ensure app acquisition and lifecycle plans are aligned with broader brand product and commercial priorities.

• Partner closely with Analytics and Data Science to refine measurement and attribution (e.g. CPI CAC ROAS LTV payback) run experiments and translate insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership.

• Stay current on platform changes privacy developments and industry best practices in mobile growth bringing new ideas into the roadmap and helping KAYAK maintain a competitive edge in app marketing.

• 8 years of experience in growth marketing CRM lifecycle marketing or mobile app marketing.

• Proven track record managing high-performing engagement and acquisition programs at scale.

• Deep expertise in CRM channels including email and push notifications.

• Strong understanding of mobile app ecosystems app growth strategy and performance marketing.

• Experience owning paid acquisition and re-engagement campaigns across major digital platforms.

• A data-informed approach to decision-making youre comfortable analyzing campaign metrics running experiments and using insights to guide strategy.

• Familiarity with lifecycle marketing platforms (e.g. Braze Iterable Leanplum Airship) and mobile measurement tools (e.g. Adjust AppsFlyer Branch).

• Proven experience building and leading CRM lifecycle or growth marketing teams.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to present strategies and results clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience in travel e-commerce or consumer technology.

• Familiarity with A/B testing and experimentation frameworks for lifecycle or acquisition programs.

• Experience working with globally distributed teams or across multiple markets.

• Knowledge of privacy regulations and their impact on lifecycle marketing and mobile attribution.

• 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

• Generous paid vacation time off for your birthday

• Paid volunteer time

• Focus on your career growth:

  • Development Dollars

  • Leadership development

  • Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings

• Travel Discounts

• Employee Resource Groups

• Competitive retirement and health plans

• Free lunch 2 days per week

There are a variety of factors that go into determining a salary range including but not limited to external market benchmark data geographic location and years of experience sought/required. The range for this US-based role is $155000-$165000 not inclusive of annual bonus and recurring RSU grants.

We offer a competitive base salary and benefits including: health benefits; flexible spending account; retirement benefits; life insurance; paid time off (including PTO paid sick leave medical leave bereavement leave floating holidays and paid holidays); and parental leave benefits.

At KAYAK we want everyone to have the space to grow share ideas and do great work. Thats why were 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 any adjustments for the interview application or on the job No problem - just give us a heads-up. Weve got you.

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Required Experience:

Director