Communications Manager, France & Belgium

Role Description

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 Overview:

Part of the Booking.com Global Communications team, the Manager, Communications – France and Belgium – is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans and operations in France and Belgium, to drive brand awareness across various audiences.

This role helps to lead the communications strategy as part of the EMEA region, driving consumer, B2B / trade and corporate initiatives, implementing the Global Communications guidelines, and working with / counseling spokespeople and business leaders, as well as collaborating with teams both across the region and globally. The role is focused on development of press materials and overall media strategy to drive top tier earned media opportunities, thought leadership initiatives for company spokespeople (externally and internally), creative campaign development, and crisis / issues management.

Responsible for general day-to-day agency management of our various agency partners together with the Regional Director, the role also serves as strategic counsel to the various teams, including Brand Creative, Sponsorships, Paid Media, Local Partner Services, Public Affairs, and collaborates closely with other members of the Booking.com and Booking Holdings Comms teams. By fostering strong relationships with internal and external partners, this role enhances the effectiveness of communication efforts and drives organizational success

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Taking a leadership role in executing the global Communications and PR strategy for Booking.com in FR, which is focused on consumer PR. This role will enhance efforts in corporate, trade and B2B PR, as well as some crisis management.
• Co-developing and managing localized strategies to drive brand awareness through earned media in FR that mirror Booking.com messaging objectives and drive incremental results in FR.
• As needed, developing strategic communications plans for corporate and trade initiatives, drafting global communications messaging for global and local spokespeople and creating thought leadership positioning
• Developing the company’s local spokesperson roster, mapping subject matter experts with key business priorities and messaging goals to meet business objectives.
• Working to improve the scale of proactive media engagement, including in-bound reactive media management, proactively identifying and creating news drivers, and leveraging locally relevant trends to mobilize timely PR activations and materials.
• Actively managing the UK PR agency in the UK and increasing brand awareness on a local basis, plus identifying, hiring and onboarding new agencies and suppliers as / when may be needed.
• Working with Internal Communications & Partner Communications teams as needed to create a consistent corporate communications strategy and assets for all internal and external stakeholders
• Evaluating and managing Booking.com’s participation in regional public-facing events, identifying locally relevant industry events and conferences to increase visibility and identifying appropriate speaking opportunities to define the company’s leadership in this area
• Supporting, developing and working closely with the company’s local spokespeople on media and speaker opportunities
• Co-managing corporate and crisis communications initiatives as needed if and when they arise

Role Qualifications and Requirements:

• A proven track record of 12+ years in Communications in house or agency, with an understanding of business objectives and the ability to align communication efforts and goals accordingly. Overall strong business acumen.
• Advanced French language essential
• Ability to think creatively, approach Communication from new angles, and manage both up and down.
• Clear and strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute multi platform strategies, often with short lead time.
• Excellent written & verbal communications skills in local language and presentation skills. Ability to craft clear, engaging and grammatically sound content for various audiences and platforms.
• Strong media relations experience / knowledge, with key market media contacts. A keen understanding of media and the news cycle with proven success achieving coverage across different media segments.
• Proven success working on major PR initiatives / campaigns, coordinating from start to finish (ideation and budget to planning, production and execution to media relations results).
• Experience with stakeholder management and an ability to navigate large global organizations.
• Proven success working closely with senior level executives on messaging, speaking opportunities, media requests, internal communications, and more
• Demonstrable experience in issues and crisis management.
• Understanding of legal / regulatory considerations and compliance in global communications.
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task and manage priorities. Advanced project management skills and experience in overseeing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to establish KPIs and assess the impact of communication strategies through effective measurement and reporting.
• Experience in leading teams (internal and external), including hiring, training, and performance management.
• PR agency work experience preferred, preferably running global accounts, and/or experience managing an agency.
• Tech and/or travel background preferred, with strong experience in both Consumer & Corporate Comms.

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:

• Application and CV Review- CV to be written in English
• Recruitment Phone Screen
• Business Interview 1
• Business Interview 2
• FIT Interview
• Hiring Decision

Let’s go places together: How we Hire

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.

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