Fraud & Safety Risk Manager

Airbnb

1d•Remote

About The Position

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 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 The Risk Manager is responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive fraud and safety risk management strategy that protects users, safeguards the organization, and enables trusted growth. This role combines strategic foresight, operational excellence, and cross-functional leadership to proactively identify, assess, and mitigate risks across products, channels, and user journeys. You will drive the evolution of fraud and safety defenses, ensure robust governance and oversight, and partner closely with product, operations, data analytics, and compliance teams to balance user experience and risk mitigation. The Difference You Will Make 1. Strategy & Risk Frameworks Establish and manage the Fraud and Safety Risk Appetite Framework, defining guardrails, triggers, and pre-approved escalation actions. Align and enhance the organization’s Risk Register to ensure adaptability to new fraud and safety trends and defense effectiveness. Develop and maintain fraud and safety specific risk assessment standards, including key risk indicators (KRIs), typologies, and emerging threat analysis. Support the design and implementation of data-driven, prevention strategies and continuous user journey improvements. Partner cross-functionally to integrate fraud and safety considerations into product design and business strategy, ensuring alignment between user experience and risk management. Deliver executive reporting on safety and fraud risk indicators, incidents, and performance. 2. Operations Oversight Monitor fraud and safety operational processes, including response to escalations, internal alerts, investigation of incidents , and resolution of cases based on severity and relevance. Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate handling of incidents and client service excellence. Support process optimization and workflow improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness of incident response. Define and maintain monitoring thresholds, escalation triggers, and defense execution standards. 3. Technology & Systems Support implementation, enhancement, and governance of fraud and safety management systems and technology integrations. Conduct pre-deployment evaluations of advanced tools (e.g., machine learning, AI-based analytics, behavioral analysis) to enhance detection and prevention capabilities. Collaborate with technology and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure and compliant systems design and data protection practices. 4. Data & Analytics Apply advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to identify fraud and safety trends, assess emerging threats, and inform strategic decisions. Partner with data analytics & data science teams to design and refine fraud analytics models and reporting solutions. Translate data insights into actionable risk mitigation and business recommendations. 5. Regulatory, Legal & Governance Maintain awareness of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards governing fraud management and liability allocation. Establish and manage ongoing governance processes for periodic review and challenge of prioritized fraud risks and defense effectiveness. 6. Leadership & Communication Support the fraud and safety risk leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement. Advocate for alignment and collaboration across cross-functional team leadership. Communicate complex fraud and safety risk issues and emerging threats to senior executives with clarity and impact. Champion change and support the evolution of risk prevention and vulnerability management capabilities across the organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Risk Management, Finance, Data Analytics, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
15+ years of experience in risk management, financial crimes, or operational risk in a financial services or technology environment.
Demonstrated experience in developing fraud and safety risk frameworks, strategies, and operational models.
Strong understanding of fraud prevention tools, analytics, and regulatory frameworks.
Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence at senior levels.

Responsibilities

Establish and manage the Fraud and Safety Risk Appetite Framework, defining guardrails, triggers, and pre-approved escalation actions.
Align and enhance the organization’s Risk Register to ensure adaptability to new fraud and safety trends and defense effectiveness.
Develop and maintain fraud and safety specific risk assessment standards, including key risk indicators (KRIs), typologies, and emerging threat analysis.
Support the design and implementation of data-driven, prevention strategies and continuous user journey improvements.
Partner cross-functionally to integrate fraud and safety considerations into product design and business strategy, ensuring alignment between user experience and risk management.
Deliver executive reporting on safety and fraud risk indicators, incidents, and performance.
Monitor fraud and safety operational processes, including response to escalations, internal alerts, investigation of incidents , and resolution of cases based on severity and relevance.
Partner with cross-functional teams to ensure timely and accurate handling of incidents and client service excellence.
Support process optimization and workflow improvements to increase efficiency and effectiveness of incident response.
Define and maintain monitoring thresholds, escalation triggers, and defense execution standards.
Support implementation, enhancement, and governance of fraud and safety management systems and technology integrations.
Conduct pre-deployment evaluations of advanced tools (e.g., machine learning, AI-based analytics, behavioral analysis) to enhance detection and prevention capabilities.
Collaborate with technology and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure and compliant systems design and data protection practices.
Apply advanced analytical and critical thinking skills to identify fraud and safety trends, assess emerging threats, and inform strategic decisions.
Partner with data analytics & data science teams to design and refine fraud analytics models and reporting solutions.
Translate data insights into actionable risk mitigation and business recommendations.
Maintain awareness of relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards governing fraud management and liability allocation.
Establish and manage ongoing governance processes for periodic review and challenge of prioritized fraud risks and defense effectiveness.
Support the fraud and safety risk leadership team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Advocate for alignment and collaboration across cross-functional team leadership.
Communicate complex fraud and safety risk issues and emerging threats to senior executives with clarity and impact.
Champion change and support the evolution of risk prevention and vulnerability management capabilities across the organization.