Legal Counsel - Fintech Product and Regulatory Strategy

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 Description: Booking.com is currently looking for a Legal Counsel - Fintech (Product) to join our Fintech Legal Team and support the assessment of fintech products and of core travel products involving payments, as well as help us shape the regulatory strategy to launch and scale Booking.com payment products and embedded finance solutions across the globe. In this role, you will be responsible for the initial contact with the stakeholders to understand and interpret the company initiatives submitted for review and for the initiatives’ assessment, identifying fintech regulatory and other legal implications for the business. You will also be working closely with the Public Affairs and collaborating with various business teams as we chart our path in this growing area for all of Booking.com brands. Key Job Responsibilities and Duties: Assisting with and conducting legal analysis and helping orchestrate the support of various stakeholders in the comprehensive assessment of core payment products and of the relevant payment/ fintech aspects arising from travel products, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations and card scheme requirements (as applicable) and optimising for commercial outcomes whilst protecting the company from foreseeable risks and consequences Procuring and interpreting legal advice to the fintech business including on payment regulatory strategy, new fintech products and partnership models, from external counsel and internal subject matter experts Coordinating legal support across different specialisms and areas (including Consumer, Regulatory, including as needed under the Digital Markets Act and/or Digital Services Act and other tech regulation, Data Protection, Financial Crime and Compliance) as well as outside of legal (tax, treasury, product) Analysing precedents/case law and proposed existing laws and regulations that may impact the fintech products and their growth and facilitate the implementation of any regulatory requirements Carrying out other tasks as required to enhance the effectiveness of the Product & Fintech legal team, and the wider Legal and Public Affairs team of Booking.com Provide strategic legal guidance and help issue spot on a full range of legal issues, including commercial contracts, disputes, competition/consumer law, IP law, and applicable regulations (coordinating with other subject matter experts in the legal department) to ensure the team’s activities, policies, business practices and transactions comply with all relevant laws and regulations Qualifications & Skills: Knowledge of and demonstrable experience of compliance with regulations, ideally, payments and fintech, although financial services, or privacy, or other rapidly evolving and developing regulatory (e.g. GenAI) contexts can assist Innovative: the ability to meet complex challenges with innovative solutions that will apply successfully across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions Ability to empathise with the expectations of regulators, review output and communicate with fluidity and precision in preparation for or in dealings with regulators Native or fluent English speaking and writing skills Excellent communication skills (written and oral), attention to detail & organisational and project management skills and ability to meet deadlines, prioritising appropriately Confidence in your ability to provide assistance to the legal team and business units. Able to demonstrate commercial awareness and understanding of the business requirements Professional and collaborative approach A high standard of knowledge and use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Google Suite (Google Sheets, Google Docs) An understanding of payments or other financial services regulatory regimes and of how Fintech firms and products are affected is required, including:- Foundational legal and regulatory frameworks that cover international money transfer, e-commerce, and online platforms Contract relationships and risk and technology (from a regulatory perspective) Permanent establishment and associated structuring and/or tax risks Familiarity with the financial service products and the Fintech space:- Digital Wallets such as WeChat, ApplePay, AmazonPay etc. Card schemes (Amex, VISA, MC) and other virtual credit card products (VCC) such as those provided by WEX and/or eNett (Optal) Experience identifying and liaising with local counsel around the globe, identifying suitable partners, commissioning work, challenging deliverables etc. Delivering all of the above directly and as part of a matrixed, cross-functional team A strong commercial instinct and helps to apply that knowledge in practical and actionable ways Experience in working as an individual contributor in a ‘hands-on’ legal advisory support role, embedded in the business and working closely with the product and commercial teams - or close client contact with equivalent commercial exposure in private practice Experience in a role with global or regional scope - the lawyer in this role should equally have a global worldview - and be capable of sourcing, critiquing and managing input form a range of internal and external stakeholders to form a view even outside of his or her direct experience 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 or sponsorship. 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.