At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead brand marketing efforts for KAYAK across North America with innovative campaigns.
- Company: Join KAYAK, a leading travel search engine under Booking Holdings.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible work options, mental health support, and generous vacation time.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on growth and inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape KAYAK's brand voice and make a real impact in the travel industry.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in brand marketing with leadership experience and a track record of success.
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. 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 looking for a strategic, commercially minded Senior Director, Brand Marketing to lead NORAM brand efforts for KAYAK! This role will shape how our brand shows up across the region—driving culturally relevant, insight‑led campaigns that deliver measurable business impact. Reporting to the SVP, Brand Marketing, you will own the NORAM brand budget and investment strategy, partnering closely with the NORAM GM and cross‑functional teams (Creative, Media, PR, and Product Marketing) to prioritize resources, optimize performance, and unlock regional growth. This role will be required to work from our Cambridge, MA office 3 days per week.
In this role, you will:
- Define and lead a full‑funnel, audience‑first brand strategy across NORAM that balances short‑term performance and long‑term brand building.
- Shape how KAYAK shows up culturally ensuring a modern, relevant, and differentiated voice.
- Localize global brand positioning and messaging so it resonates across NORAM.
- Lead integrated, cross‑channel campaigns across TV, online video, OOH, audio, social, and owned channels.
- Partner with the Sr. Director of Creative to deliver a dual‑track approach that balances storytelling and conversion.
- Co‑develop messaging frameworks, tone, and CTAs to ensure consistency and clarity across assets.
- Move planning from broad demographics to intent‑and audience‑driven strategies, with channel‑specific creative approaches.
- Set NORAM media priorities, own budget allocation decisions, and work with internal and agency teams to execute and optimize plans.
- Work with Brand Strategy & Measurement to run experiments, media‑mix modeling, and incrementality testing to prove impact.
- Mentor, and grow brand leaders, fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture focused on clear priorities and scalable execution.
Strong growth in direct traffic and branded search volume across NORAM. Measurable improvements in brand awareness, consideration, and preference. Highly effective, insight‑driven campaigns that deliver both performance and brand impact. A scalable, full‑funnel brand marketing engine embedded across markets. A high‑performing team with strong cross‑functional alignment.
Please apply if you have:
- 12+ years of experience in brand marketing, with significant leadership experience across North America.
- Proven track record of building and scaling full‑funnel brand strategies that drive measurable business impact.
- Experience developing integrated campaigns across online and offline channels.
- Comfort working in performance‑driven environments with an understanding of measurement, testing, and attribution.
- The ability to balance creative ambition with commercial objectives.
- Experience managing and developing teams and collaborating across functions and influencing at senior levels.
- Experience in consumer tech, travel, or digital marketplace businesses is a plus.
Benefits and Perks:
- 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 Massachusetts based role is $185,000-230,000.00, 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.
Inclusion:
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 any adjustments for the interview, application or on the job? No problem - just give us a heads‑up. We’ve got you.
Senior Director, Brand Marketing NORAM in Cambridge employer: Kayak
KAYAK is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and employee growth within the dynamic travel industry. With a strong focus on mental health, work-life balance, and professional development, employees enjoy generous benefits such as flexible working arrangements, extensive vacation time, and company-wide initiatives that foster a culture of inclusivity and continuous improvement. Located in London, KAYAK offers a vibrant work environment where every team member can contribute to meaningful projects while enjoying perks like free lunches and social events.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Brand Marketing NORAM in Cambridge
✨Show Your Creative Side
In marketing communications, standing out is key. Get creative with your application! Consider designing a mini-campaign or pitch that highlights your skills and understanding of the brand. Tailor it for Kayak and show them what you can bring to the table.
✨Engage in Marketing Communities
Get involved in local or online marketing communications groups. Check out platforms like Meetup for events and workshops. Networking here can lead to hidden job openings and valuable insights into the industry trends—this is where we often discover what companies like Kayak are looking for.
✨Leverage Social Media
Use platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to showcase your passion for marketing communications. Share insights, articles, and your own content that resonates with the industry. Tagging or interacting with Kayak on these platforms can catch the eye of recruiters and show you're genuinely interested in them.
✨Attend Industry Events
Keep an eye out for marketing conferences and workshops. These are great places to meet potential employers face-to-face and make connections that could land you a full-time role at Kayak. Bring your business cards and be prepared to chat about how you can contribute!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Brand Marketing NORAM in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft an Impactful Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Focus on your passion for marketing communications and how your previous experiences can benefit Kayak. Make sure to mention specific campaigns or projects you’ve worked on that showcase your creativity and strategic thinking.
Showcase Your Writing Skills:As you're diving into a marketing communications role, your writing ability is crucial. Include samples of your work, like blog posts, press releases, or social media campaigns in your application. This lets us see your style and how you engage with different audiences.
Tailor Your CV to Marketing:Your CV should highlight relevant marketing skills and experiences! Include specific tools or platforms you’ve used, like Google Analytics or social media management software. Mention any certifications or workshops related to marketing that you've completed – they can give you an edge!
Demonstrate Your Understanding of Kayak:Show us that you’ve done your homework! In your application, briefly mention what you admire about Kayak’s marketing approach or any recent campaigns that caught your attention. This can reveal your enthusiasm for the role and your genuine interest in joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kayak
✨Showcase Your Creative Campaigns
Get ready to flaunt your portfolio! Include examples of previous marketing campaigns you've worked on, especially those that showcase your creativity and strategy. Recruiters at Kayak will be keen to see how you conceptualise and execute campaigns, so highlight any measurable outcomes to back up your claims.
✨Know Your Digital Tools Inside Out
If you’re heading into a marketing-communications role, make sure you're comfortable discussing key digital marketing tools like Google Analytics, HubSpot, or Hootsuite. Expect some technical questions about how you've used these tools in the past, as they'll want to gauge your hands-on experience and how you analyse data to drive marketing decisions.
✨Be Ready for Scenario-Based Questions
At Kayak, they may throw some scenario-based questions your way, aimed at testing your problem-solving skills in real-life marketing situations. Think through potential challenges you’ve faced, how you navigated them, and be prepared to discuss your thought process and outcome.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Marketing
As you’re applying for a full-time position, show that you're not just looking for a job, but a career in marketing. Talk about the latest trends in marketing communications, your favourite campaigns, and why they inspire you. Your enthusiasm can really make you stand out and demonstrate that you’re committed to growing within the field.