Legal Counsel - AI and Machine Learning

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.

Overview

As Legal Counsel for AI at Booking.com, you will report to the Sr Managing Counsel for AI/ML as part of a new and developing AI legal team, which sits within the broader Marketplace, AI and Procurement (MAP) team in the Legal & Public Affairs department.

You will help this team to serve its 'vertical' function by working directly with a number of business units who build, train and make use of AI and ML to drive insights, innovation, productivity and great products. You will help lead advice on AI strategy, serving as a key partner for AI teams across the company and ensuring compliance with global AI regulations and our AI Policy. In particular you will; manage a pipeline of AI product initiatives requiring risk assessment and review, as well generating and maintaining AI policy, playbooks, guidelines and good practice.

You will also help this team to serve its 'horizontal' function as it provides expert guidance to other teams within Legal and Public Affairs on AI regulation, policy and governance. Therefore, excellent knowledge of the EU AI Act, emerging global AI Regulation and frameworks is essential, as well as experience with data and privacy laws and digital/platform regulation.

You may at times have to bring to the other members of the Legal & Public Affairs team matters requiring escalation, collaboration or further analysis - although you will also spend much of your time collaborating directly with business and operational counterparts.

• Knowledge of, and experience practically applying, AI, platform, technology, and regulations
• An ability to clearly communicate the impact of regulations on business AI and product strategy
• The ability to deliver actionable and understandable advice to busy technical teams
• Experience working with AI, ML and product teams (you will be able to speak their language) is highly preferred
• Experience managing work across a number of workstreams at high pace
• Ability to effectively communicate and engage with business stakeholders
• Experience synthesizing advice from multiple specialist legal teams to deliver practical 'one voice' advice to the business
• AIGP, CIPP/E or other data and AI professional qualifications will be a bonus

• Act as a central pivot for multiple business units involved in building and utilizing AI and ML products.
• Manage a pipeline of AI product initiatives, conducting risk assessments and ensuring legal compliance with various regulatory requirements.
• Generate, maintain, and implement AI-related policies, playbooks, and guidelines to uphold best practices.
• Respond to requests for AI counsel support across Booking.com and assist in managing high-stakes material escalations.
• Collaborate with the Privacy, Competition and Consumer, and Compliance teams in contributing to RFIs, regulator dialogue and AI regulatory change management as required.
• Collaborate with and assist colleagues in identifying scalable methods for engaging with the AI business community effectively.
• Support Senior Legal AI Counsel with AI Act and other relevant regulatory interpretation work and application and advice to the business.

• A qualified lawyer with either in-house or law-firm experience working within the technology sector, and, preferably some experience within the field of AI.
• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent in Law. Masters in Law will be a bonus .
• AIGP, CIPP/E or other data and AI professional qualifications will also be a bonus
• 2 to 5 years law firm or in house legal experience, with valid legal qualification.
• Innovative: the ability to meet complex challenges with innovative legal business solutions that will apply successfully across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions
• Legal Design: the ability to take complex legal issues and turn them into succinct, actionable and understandable advice.
• Curios: about and interested in exploring legal technologies and tech-enabled efficiencies; experience with multiple legal tech solutions is a plus
• Team player: must be able to work as part of a smaller direct team and wider mutli-functional team.
• Very strong organizational and project management skills. Capable of handling multiple projects/initiatives simultaneously and executing to completion
• A natural problem-solver and strategic thinker, comfortable with ambiguity and able to bring structure to challenging situations
• Someone who is always looking for opportunities to drive efficiency through appropriate use of the right technologies
• Strong communication skills, particularly clear and concise written communication
• A natural at building consensus and working with multiple stakeholders to drive projects to completion.

• 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.

• 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!

• Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parental (22-weeks paid leave), grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
• Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, working from home furniture and ergonomic support, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
• A breathtaking sustainable HQ Campus in Amsterdam, that offers on-site meals, coffee, and snacks, multi-faith and breastfeeding rooms at the office
• Commuting allowance and bike reimbursement scheme
• Discounts & Wallet credits to spend on our products, upgrade to Booking.com Genius Level 3, and friends & family Booking.com discount vouchers
• Free access to online learning platforms, development and mentorship programs
• Global Employee Assistance Program, free Headspace membership

• Let's go places together: How we Hire
• The role will entail a total of 3 interviews.