Director, Email Growth – App Acquisition

KAYAK

Director of Email Growth & App Acquisition at KAYAK leading lifecycle marketing and app acquisition strategies. Collaborating globally to optimize user engagement and retention in travel services.

Posted 6/3/2026full-timeNorwalk • Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts • 🇺🇸 United StatesLead💰 $185,000 - $205,000 per yearWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and lead KAYAK's lifecycle marketing strategy across email, push notifications, in-app messaging, and other owned channels — ensuring communications are timely, relevant, and personalized.
Own the app acquisition strategy, identifying and scaling channels that drive high-quality installs and long-term user engagement.
Analyze campaign performance data to identify trends, optimize programs, and share clear recommendations with cross-functional partners including product, engineering, and brand teams.
Build, test, and refine segmentation and personalization frameworks that improve user retention and re-engagement across the traveler journey.
Manage and develop a team, providing coaching, feedback, and growth opportunities that help each person do their best work.
Collaborate with creative, brand strategy, and performance marketing teams to ensure lifecycle and acquisition efforts align with broader marketing goals and KAYAK's brand voice.
Partner with product and engineering teams to improve marketing technology capabilities and implement new tools or integrations as needed.
Track and report on key metrics — including retention, conversion, lifetime value, and cost per acquisition — translating results into actionable insights for leadership.
Stay current on industry trends in lifecycle marketing, mobile growth, and consumer engagement, bringing fresh ideas and proven approaches to the team.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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 — you're 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.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

Comp & 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

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

growth marketingCRMlifecycle marketingmobile app marketingcampaign performance analysissegmentation frameworkspersonalization frameworkspaid acquisitionre-engagement campaignsdata analysis

Soft Skills

team managementcoachingfeedbackcommunicationcollaborationstrategic thinkingpresentation skillscross-functional partnershipproblem-solvingcreativity