Legal Counsel, ABU Product (Homes & STRs)

Legal Counsel, ABU Product (Homes & STRs)

Join to apply for the Legal Counsel, ABU Product (Homes & STRs) role at Booking.com

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: The Legal Counsel, ABU Product (Homes & STRs) is the primary point of contact in LPA for all Product initiatives relating to Homes, and is a key member of the team providing support with regulatory compliance relating to Homes (i.e. Short Term Rental regulations, or STRs) . This role sits within the Accommodation Business Unit (ABU). The Legal Counsel is responsible for coordinating and managing the assessment and applicability of regulatory communications, helping to inform the company strategy in this area, and to enable successful compliance. They will interact directly with STR regulators to clarify, interpret and understand requests, maintain an accurate record of interactions, formal responses and regulatory obligations across all STR regulatory engagements. They will work closely with colleagues across Public Affairs and LPA, collaboratively identify matters that require escalation, and manage them appropriately. Independently, they will liaise with business and operational counterparts in the Home/Segments ABU teams, coordinate subject‑matter experts within LPA and distil advice into practical instructions for Product teams. They will also assist the Senior Managing Counsel in identifying ways to make product initiative risk assessments more efficient and scalable by piloting new methods and frameworks. This global role requires an international perspective, the ability to source, analyse and manage input from a range of stakeholders, and is key to Booking.com’s growth, innovation and success.

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Liaising with business units as a reliable and commercially minded first point of contact within legal for specific types of queries
• Assess and interpret regulations relating to STRs globally by completing Legal Impact Assessments
• Support the Segments Compliance and local teams in the implementation of new STR requirements, drafting partner communications when necessary
• Manage external counsel within a specified budget to support interpretation of local legislation and horizon scan for new applicable legislation
• Be well structured, clear and organised, and enjoy working within a very fast paced environment; serve as the LPA point of contact for Homes Product initiatives completing Product Risk Assessments and coordinating subject‑matter expert advice
• Work closely with Public Affairs, the wider LPA team, Homes Product teams and other business units when required
• Support the wider ABU Legal team in establishing effective ways of working with business stakeholders
• Support with the creation and implementation of efficient and scalable ways of working to enable sustainable business growth

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor degree and admission to practise in at least one jurisdiction
• 2 - 4 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, work in ambiguous situations and under pressure, and learn from mistakes
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements
• Confident self‑starter with excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral)
• Curious, flexible, and a creative & pragmatic problem solver
• Excellent drafting skills and attention to detail
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines, prioritising appropriately, and an understanding of the need to balance risk with business objectives
• Strong collaborative, professional approach
• Ability to thrive within a dynamic, multidisciplinary and multicultural team located in diverse locations, and get things done
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel), Google Suite (Sheets, Docs) and AI platform usage, with a commitment to continuous improvement
• Aligned with Booking.com’s Values (Think Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing)

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 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. 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 specialising 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.

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 specialise
• 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 humour and enjoying the journey together

Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance

• 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. 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. 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

This role does not come with relocation assistance.

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.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Legal

Industries

Software Development