Senior Managing Counsel Privacy, Tech, Data & Customer Service

About Us: At Booking.com, data drives our decisions. Technology is at our core. And innovation is everywhere. Through our products, partners and people, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world.

The Role: The newly created Senior Managing Counsel, Tech, Data & Customer Service (CS) role is a key position within Booking.com's Privacy function. This role will be responsible for leading and overseeing a team of legal professionals while guiding and advising the organisation on how to protect personal data in an ever-evolving risk landscape.

In this role, you will work closely with our Data & AI Governance function, as well as our Data & Machine Learning Platforms team, to ensure that the use of (personal) data at a global scale respects applicable privacy legislation. Your team will also serve as the privacy subject matter experts for our Customer Service Team, which provides the technology for thousands of agents worldwide to provide fast and high-quality support to our customers; and the Central Technology Team in ensuring our global technology stack complies with legal requirements.

A successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Technical knowledge: Solid understanding of enterprise data technology and machine learning at scale
• Risk management: Experience in developing compliance solutions which are resistant against degradation over time, are documented and can be monitored and tested
• Strategic thinking: Ability to think beyond quick wins and perceive long-term opportunities for broad-based risk reduction
• Customer centricity: Keeping the customer's best interests at heart, both in terms of the protection of their privacy as well as the usability of our products and services
• People leadership: Inspiring, coaching and supporting your team members, to allow them to excel and grow
• Cross-functional mindset: Willingness to break through silos, collaborate across teams and departments and pitch in when needed to ensure overall mission success

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Support the business with in-depth legal review, advice and guidance on data protection and data privacy issues and/or risks with any current or potential new initiatives
• Serve as the primary privacy legal SPoC for all matters arising from the Data, Technology and Customer Service functions in the company
• Lead a team that serves as the foremost experts in the privacy legal function when it comes to data governance and technology
• Lead the retention & deletion efforts at Booking.com
• Support strategic, enterprise-wide priorities to mature our data governance and privacy control landscape
• Engage with other Legal & Public Affairs teams and stakeholders to ensure the Legal function speaks with one voice
• Constantly (re)prioritize team workload to adapt to changing circumstances
• Partnering on review, advice and approval of data sharing use cases, data protection and privacy guidance, policies and procedures for the business
• Exercise people management responsibilities, such as performance management and coaching; be accountable for team performance

Qualification & Skills:

• Bachelor degree (Master’s Degree / Specialised Diploma is an advantage) and admission to practise in at least one jurisdiction
• 8-12 years experience in a reputable law firm or in-house team
• EU, UK or US law degree
• A Batchelors’ and/or Masters’ Degree, and a legal professional qualification
• Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills
• Knowledge and experience in data protection law; a CIPP/E / CIPT (or similar) certification is preferred
• A deep understanding of GDPR and the e-Privacy Directive and how this applies to enterprise and consumer-facing technology; knowledge of DMA/DSA and AI Act is preferred
• Ability to be the “voice of reason” in crisis situations, to quickly respond to issues at hand and to prioritise effectively, with a “customer first” mindset
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral), attention to detail, organizational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines, prioritising appropriately
• Adaptable, ready to embrace change in order to meet evolving business needs, work in ambiguous situations and under pressure, and learn from mistakes
• Strong ability to lead and inspire a team
• Demonstrated cross-functional project leadership and commercial acumen, with ability to balance risk with business objectives
• Experience in management of and impactful communication with senior stakeholders, effectively communicating complex ideas and projects simply and succinctly
• In-depth understanding of the data and privacy issues that commonly arise in the technology and data space, along with ability to quickly learn and grasp the importance of new and emerging issues and manage processes from inception to completion
• Strong collaborative, professional approach; able to succeed in and lead diverse, multidisciplinary, multicultural teams
• High proficiency in productivity software, and AI platform usage, with a commitment to continuous improvement.

Deadline for applications is 21 November 2025.

Further traits we 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, starting with our Chief Legal & Public Affairs Officer, who is currently ACC President for Europe. 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

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.