Senior Managing Counsel, Procurement

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 Senior Managing Counsel, Procurement provides leadership in the effective legal and commercial support of the Booking Holdings Global Procurement Team and serves as  the central point of contact between the Procurement Leadership Team (PLT) and Booking.com Legal and Public Affairs (“LPA”) team. Responsible for the legal strategy that underpins Booking.com’s global sourcing portfolio, the Senior Managing Counsel is alert to the myriad potential factors that might have impact, and carefully leads their team to provide excellent commercial legal advice, creative and practical business-focussed solutions and impactful process improvements, anticipating and meeting operational and strategic challenges within the global organisation. This role also collaborates with lawyers at other Booking Holdings’ brands and business units, including the Booking Holdings Legal team based in the U.S., on enterprise wide policies, procedures and practices and certain enterprise-wide or cross-brand agreements.  

We seek a dynamic, relationship-driven leader with deep experience in complex procurement (including technology deals). This role requires a passion for innovation, legal technology, and AI application, along with the proven ability to drive change, influence senior stakeholders, and build globally scalable legal support models.

As a manager of approximately five lawyers (located in both Amsterdam, The Netherlands and the Bucharest, Romania Centre of Excellence), this role requires direct coaching and professional development skills. 

The role is global in scope, so a truly international perspective is key, as is the ability to source, analyse and manage input from a range of internal and external stakeholders to form a view and advise even outside of your direct experience. This role is a critical component in the successful partnership between LPA and Procurement, and you will be a vital contributor to Booking.com’s continued growth, innovation and success.

This role is based in the Netherlands.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the primary LPA point of contact for Procurement leaders (e.g. Booking Holdings VP Procurement, Sr. Director Procurement Booking.com, Procurement Directors in Tech, Marketing and Professional Services).


• Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing Procurement Legal team supporting medium- to high-complexity procurement transactions through collaborative and inclusive leadership.


• Serve as the final point of escalation for high-stakes vendor engagements and complex commercial negotiations.


• Manage the Procurement Legal team's annual budget and support the Director with broader Legal & Public Affairs budget management.


• Drive the legal team's digital transformation, championing the proactive adoption of automation and AI to optimize routine contracting processes and boost efficiency.


• Design and drive the implementation of next-generation legal support models, utilizing workflows, playbooks, templates, and training to ensure global scalability and consistency.


• Coordinate collaboration between key business stakeholders, Procurement Legal and wider LPA teams, and across other Booking Holdings brand and business unit legal and commercial teams.


• Continuously review and update legal precedents, playbooks and guidelines to foster innovation and ensure suitable risk management.


• Effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines by applying strong organisational and prioritisation skills.


• Oversee the analysis and implementation of relevant case law and legislative/regulatory developments impacting Procurement. Facilitate the implementation of necessary changes to meet regulatory requirements.


• Oversee and manage external counsel relationships to deliver cost-effective support; manage litigation and investigations in relation to procurement agreements.


• Promote best practices and collaboration within LPA and with the wider Booking Holdings legal team, supporting knowledge sharing and effective work methods. Ensure that all relevant perspectives (e.g., privacy, competition & consumer law, public affairs, fintech legal and compliance) are integrated into relevant initiatives.


• Draft and negotiate clear and commercially appropriate legal agreements with public authorities (such as statistical bodies) and commercial counterparties and strategic partners, within agreed parameters and guidelines.

Experience and 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



• 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 evolving business needs, work in ambiguous situations and under pressure, and learn from mistakes




• Strong ability to lead and inspire a team 




• Experience in translating company and department strategy into team objectives for yourself, and your team members




• Experience in management of and impactful communication with senior stakeholders, effectively communicating complex ideas and projects simply and succinctly




• Experience operating in a complex global environment working with stakeholders and colleagues in other business units and jurisdictions




• In-depth 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




• Proven track record of end-to-end ownership in structuring and negotiating complex procurement and vendor contracts, driving favorable commercial outcomes.




• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail




• Ability to successfully manage multiple projects or a portfolio of projects whilst meeting deadlines and prioritising appropriately.




• Demonstrated cross-functional project leadership and commercial acumen, with ability to balance risk with business objectives.




• Strong collaborative, professional approach; able to succeed in and lead diverse, multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.




• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Suite (Sheets, Docs), and AI platform usage, with a commitment to continuous improvement

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, 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 

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. 

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. 

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.