Legal Counsel, Trips Legal (Flights)

The role

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, under the direction of a Senior Managing Counsel. The role has a global scope and 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.
• Coordinate legal support for the Flights Product Team for new initiatives across different specialisms and areas (including FinTech, Consumer, Data Protection, Public Affairs) as a single point of contact.
• 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.
• Enable a regulatory strategy that supports the Flights Product and facilitates broader product goals across a range of travel-related services.
• Advise and influence the business directly whilst maintaining a commercially sensible approach at all times.
• Work 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.
• Foster collaboration and encourage 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.
• Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills.
• In-depth legal knowledge particularly in respect of either consumer or commercial law, with basic knowledge of several other areas such as competition & consumer law, litigation, privacy and compliance.
• Some exposure to the flight industry is preferred but not required; understanding of common legal issues in the industry and ability to learn new and emerging issues quickly.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of business requirements.
• Adaptable, with a growth mindset, ready to embrace change, work in ambiguous situations and under pressure, and learn from mistakes.
• Ability to translate company and department strategy into team objectives.
• Ability to communicate complex ideas and projects simply and succinctly.
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail.

Benefits & Perks

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including parent, grandparent, bereavement and care leave.
• Hybrid working with flexible arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country).
• Industry leading product discounts, up to 1400 per year, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit.

EEO Statement

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.