Senior Legal Counsel - Competition & Consumer (Regulatory Strategy, FinTech)

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. With a cross-functional team based in Amsterdam and across the world, and plans to expand our fintech capabilities throughout 2025, we are looking for a technically savvy, adaptable and versatile lawyer to help us develop new fintech product innovations and support the Fintech Business Unit’s strategic ambitions. Role Description: The Senior Legal Counsel - Regulatory Strategy (Fintech) is responsible for identifying and assessing regulatory and other legal implications – working independently and with the other team members – to chart Booking.com path in the growing Fintech area, being able to translate complex regulatory requirements into actionable implementation strategies for the business. Key Job Responsibilities and Duties: Ensuring compliance by facilitating the implementation of Fintech regulatory requirements, while optimising for commercial outcomes (including by building on or modifying existing solutions) Providing strategic legal guidance on a full range of legal issues, coordinating support and managing risks across different legal areas (including Competition, Consumer, Privacy and other tech regulations) Procuring and interpreting legal advice to the Fintech business including on payment regulatory strategy, from external counsel and internal subject matter experts Autonomously working with the business, responding to business stakeholders and efficiently collecting and analysing input from business teams Presenting to senior management on relevant matters, providing creative and risk-based recommendations on complex matters Actively maintaining legal budget for owned matters, ensuring external counsel are effectively managed Qualifications & Skills: Knowledge of and experience with relevant regulations, including competition law, consumer protection laws, online platform regulations, Digital Markets Act (DMA), Digital Services Act (DSA) and privacy laws, and/or Payments Regulations such as Payment Services Directive, Interchange Fee Regulation, or other related/transferable industry equivalent. Previous experience in law firms, regulators and/or multinational companies working on complex regulatory matters across jurisdictions Project management experience and commercial awareness Strategic thinking and ability to be proactive and determine a long term vision With limited supervision, ability to drive decision making and understand risk trade-offs Ability to combine high quality legal work and organizational requirements (including budget setting) Ability to translate legal requirements and risks across different functions, teams and roles Familiarity with financial service products and the Fintech space is desirable, but not necessary Alignment with Booking.com’s values (Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing) Flexible and adaptable, able to work under pressure, and learn from mistakes Ability to build constructive relationships across the business Excellent communication skills and ability to effectively communicate in small/medium groups; strong influencer in 1:1 and small groups Courage to take a stance and make tough decisions with attention to both the big picture and key details 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 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Booking.com: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion have 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: This section should provide: 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.