Legal Counsel, Trips Legal (Flights)

About Us: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. But our company is more than datasets, lines of code or A/B tests. We’re the thrill of the first night in a new place. The excitement of the next morning. The friends you encounter. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the memories you make. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

The role: The Legal Counsel, Trips Legal (Flights) works in our Flights vertical which is a significant part of Booking.com's strategy to further build the “Connected Trip” and to grow and scale Booking.com’s multi-product offerings to travelers.

The role will work across product, commercial and regulatory legal matters related to our existing and new product launches, together with two Senior Legal Counsels, which is led by a Senior Managing Counsel.

The role will have a global scope, so the Lawyer in this role should equally have a global worldview, and be capable of sourcing, critiquing and managing input from a range of internal and external stakeholders, to form a view even outside of their direct experience.

Under the supervision and direction of the Senior Managing Counsel, the role will support the continuous investment in, and assessment of, efficient ways of working with the business (including developing playbooks, improving processes and leveraging AI functionalities) in order to scale current support and allowing the legal team to focus on the areas where they can add most value.

The ideal candidate will have experience in product development, contract negotiations and drafting as well as in advising on a wide range of commercial matters, demonstrating a strong customer centric mindset while balancing business interests.

This role is based in Manchester.

Key responsibilities

• Provide clear, concise and pragmatic legal and strategic advice and guidance to the Flights Product Teams, with responsibility for handling low to medium risk legal matters, ensuring compliance with laws and policies.
• Coordinates legal support for the Flights Product Team for new initiatives across different specialisms and areas (including Fin Tech, Consumer, Data Protection, Public Affairs) as a single point of contact for the Flights product team.
• Support the negotiation and drafting of critical vendor or meta contracts to enable the flights product, optimising for commercial outcomes whilst protecting the company from foreseeable circumstances.
• Identify and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and improve ways of working with the business and between LPA through improved systems, processes, (AI) tools, services and resource allocation. Develop and deliver training to the business as needed.
• Enables a regulatory strategy that supports the Flights Product and also facilitates and enables broader product goals, across a range of travel-related services
• Advising and influencing the business directly whilst maintaining a commercially sensible approach at all times.
• Works with other internal stakeholder groups, including Finance and other brands within the Holdings Group, to define and manage a regulatory strategy in support of travel services. Creative thinker with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to develop in a fast-paced environment.
• Fosters collaboration and encourages best practices in ways of working and knowledge sharing.

Key skills and experience

• Bachelor’s / Master’s Degree and admission to practise in at least one jurisdiction
• 5 years experience in a reputable law firm or in-house team, preferably in a product or commercial legal role •

Qualified to practice law in the EU, UK, or US.

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Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills.

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In-depth legal knowledge particularly in respect of at least either consumer or commercial law, and basic knowledge of several other areas such as competition & consumer law, litigation, privacy and compliance.

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Some exposure to the flight industry is preferred but not required. What is required is an understanding of the legal issues that commonly arise in the industry, along with ability to quickly learn and grasp the importance of new and emerging issues and manage processes from inception to completion.

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Strong commercial awareness and understanding of business requirements.

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Adaptable, with a growth mindset, ready to embrace change in order to meet evolving business needs, work in ambiguous situations and under pressure, and learn from mistakes.

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Ability to translate company and department strategy into team objectives for yourself.

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Ability to, effectively communicate complex ideas and projects simply and succinctly.

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Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.

Further traits look for

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Alignment with Booking.com’s values (Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing).

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Curiosity, flexibility, and a creative, pragmatic approach to problem-solving.

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Confidence with collaboration.

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Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.

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Proactivity, resilience, and a drive to deliver results.

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Strong judgment with attention to both the big picture and key details.

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Courage to take a stance and make tough decisions.

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Team-oriented, self-aware, and a good listener.

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Agility in prioritizing and meeting deadlines.

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Forward-thinking, with a focus on emerging legal and policy issues.

Why join the Legal & Public Affairs Team now?

This is a pivotal moment in e-commerce and travel, and joining Booking.com’s Legal & Public Affairs (LPA) team provides you with opportunities to shape the future. The LPA team plays a key role in enabling Booking.com to become a one-stop solution for all travel-related needs, from accommodation to rental cars, flights and attractions, and beyond. This offers travellers what we like to call the ‘connected trip’ – enabling them to book every aspect of their travel experience seamlessly through our familiar, easy-to-use website or mobile app. As a member of the LPA team you will partner with the business to navigate complex regulations, build new products, and negotiate key deals—while driving ethical, sustainable growth.

Who we are?

We are an award winning team of around 200 professionals from 36+ nationalities, with lawyers qualified in multiple jurisdictions and non-lawyers specializing in public policy, economics, compliance, and risk. We have been recognised and shortlisted individually and as a team by the Legal 500 GC Powerlist, Assoc. of Corp Counsel, Global Competition Review, The Lawyer GC of the Year (shortlisted), Compliance Week and the Financial Times. We encourage active participation in the industry, with board membership and representation at industry bodies at multiple levels. We also engage with stakeholders on policy issues impacting travel and tech innovation, including through our new public affairs blog, "A World Worth Experiencing ."

As a team, we believe in

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Being integral to decision-making, shaping Booking.com’s future.

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Supporting Booking's mission to make travel accessible, fostering openness and curiosity.

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Offering opportunities for team members to explore new areas or specialize.

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Providing holistic, integrated legal and public affairs advice.

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Continuously improving Legal Operations, innovating, and sharing best practices.

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Learning from mistakes and embracing growth.

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Working collaboratively with a sense of humor and enjoying the journey together!

Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance

Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package , as well unique-to-Booking.com benefits which include:

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Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave

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Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)

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Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit

Inclusion at Booking.com

Inclusion has been a core part of our company culture since day one. This ongoing journey starts with our very own employees, who represent over 140 nationalities and a wide range of ethnic and social backgrounds, genders and sexual orientations.

Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just build an outstanding workplace, it also creates a better and more inclusive travel experience for everyone. Inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. It’s a place where you can make your mark and have a real impact in travel and tech.”

We ensure that colleagues with disabilities are provided the adjustments and tools they need to participate in the job application and interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Application process

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Let’s go places together: How we Hire

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Detailed instructions on post-application requirements including any required application materials, deadlines, portfolios, coding challenges, or other assessments as defined by BU or department.

• Please note relocation will not be provided for this role.

Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.

Pre-Employment Screening

If your application is successful, your personal data may be used for a pre-employment screening check by a third party as permitted by applicable law. Depending on the vacancy and applicable law, a pre-employment screening may include employment history, education and other information (such as media information) that may be necessary for determining your qualifications and suitability for the position.