Role Description:
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.
Role: As Legal Counsel, Product, the successful candidate will be the primary point of contact in
the Legal and Public Affairs department for regulatory communications from Short Term Rental (STR) & platform licensing regulators, as well as assisting other members of the Legal &; Public Affairs team in seeking to apply Short Term Rental regulatory requirements, interpret regulatory requests (such as so-called ‘takedown’ requests) and other regulatory questions and responses.
You will in your role be responsible for the initial assessment of regulatory communications
and will, deal directly with STR regulators to clarify, interpret and understand
requests. You will maintain accurate and comprehensive records of interactions, formal
responses, and regulatory obligations across Short Term Rental & platform licensing regulatory engagements.
You will bring to the other members of the Legal & Public Affairs team and business stakeholders matters requiring escalation, collaboration or further analysis - although you will also spend much of your time acting independently and collaborating directly with business and operational counterparts in the Accommodation Business Unit.
Key responsibilities:
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Support the handling of regulatory requests from Short Term Rental / Platform Licensing Regulators, including Data Requests and Takedowns requests from public authorities, and notices of illegal listings from third parties - by overseeing the work conducted by the Regulatory inbound team in Booking.com’s Centre of Excellence.
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Managing STR-related litigation and regulatory investigations/RFIs
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Monitor regulatory changes in the STR sector, conduct legal assessments and provide advice to operational and product teams on the implementation of compliance measures
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Advise on compliance strategy in key markets and ensure consistency with the company's STR Risk Appetite Statement
Contribute to the ongoing improvement and operationalization of Booking.com’s STR compliance program, including the tracking and reporting of compliance metrics for reporting, planning and escalation purposes
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Instruct external counsels and manage work agreements with external law firms
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Collaborate closely with Product teams for the implementation of regulatory requirements (such as APIs)
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Hold external calls with local public authorities to discuss compliance topics and support Public Affairs in their advocacy efforts to influence upcoming STR legislation
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Act as Legal subject-matter expert in the STR sector by fostering good working relationships with key stakeholders
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Carry out other tasks as required to enhance the effectiveness of the ABU Product & Regulatory legal team, such as embedding AI usage in ways of working.
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Assist other members of the LPA team in managing material STR escalations and matters that have high strategic value, or material risk or exposure to the company collaboratively
Skills and experience required:
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Bachelor degree & Master degree
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3 - 5 years experience in a reputable law firm or in-house team
Qualified to practice law in the EU, UK, or US.
Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills.
Adaptable, with a growth mindset, ready to embrace change in order to meet changing business needs.
Ability to work independently and take initiative in problem-solving and decision-making.
Exceptional drafting, project management, and organisational skills.
Ability to empathise with the regulatory expectations of regulators, review output and communicate with fluidity and precision in dealings with regulators
Comfortable leading external meetings with regulators regarding compliance and policy topics.
Knowledge of and demonstrable experience of compliance with regulations, ideally, Short Term Rentals, although platform liability (e.g., Digital Services Act) or Privacy, or other rapidly evolving and developing regulatory contexts are also a plus.
Litigation experience is a plus.
Demonstrated leadership and commercial acumen, with ability to balance risk with business objectives.
High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Suite (Sheets, Docs), and AI platform usage, with a commitment to continuous improvement.
Curiosity about and interest in exploring legal technologies and tech-enabled efficiencies; experience with multiple legal tech solutions is a plus.
Expertise in data presentation in regulatory contexts is a plus.
Very strong organizational and project management skills. Capable of handling multiple projects/initiatives simultaneously and executing to completion.
A natural problem-solver and strategic thinker, comfortable with ambiguity and able to bring structure to challenging situations.
Strong communication skills, particularly clear and concise written communication.
A natural at building consensus and working with multiple stakeholders to drive projects to completion.
Further traits look for:
Alignment with Booking.com’s values (Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing).
Curiosity, flexibility, and a creative, pragmatic approach to problem-solving.
Confidence with collaboration.
Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
Proactivity, resilience, and a drive to deliver results.
Strong judgment with attention to both the big picture and key details.
Courage to take a stance and make tough decisions.
Team-oriented, self-aware, and a good listener.
Agility in prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
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:
Being integral to decision-making, shaping Booking.com’s future.
Supporting Booking's mission to make travel accessible, fostering openness and curiosity.
Offering opportunities for team members to explore new areas or specialize.
Providing holistic, integrated legal and public affairs advice.
Continuously improving Legal Operations, innovating, and sharing best practices.
Learning from mistakes and embracing growth.
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:
Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
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:
Let’s go places together: How we Hire
Detailed instructions on post-application requirements including any required application materials, deadlines, portfolios, coding challenges, or other assessments as defined by BU or department.
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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.
