Senior Manager, Global Communications (Policy Communications)

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.

At Booking.com, we make it easier for everyone to experience the world. We began by taking hotel bookings online over 20 years ago and we’ve been shaping the travel industry ever since. Today, we’re building a platform that connects all parts of the trip – from accommodation to transport, tickets, tours and more.

An integral member of Booking.com’s Global Communications team, this Senior Communications Manager role is crucial in driving our communications strategy around regulatory and other corporate topics by proactively engaging with relevant media throughout Europe and in other key markets, with a special focus in Brussels. This includes identifying impactful external opportunities on relevant policy-related topics to both enhance and protect the company’s reputation globally.

A strategic communications partner to the Legal & Public Affairs (LPA) team in Brussels and Amsterdam, as well as to key subject matter experts across the company, this role ensures optimal alignment and a coordinated media response on regulatory, policy and other corporate communications matters. The role owns the strategic development of external messaging, communications plans and a regular cadence of direct outreach with media on a wide range of topics, including competition and tax, e-commerce platform policy, AI, short-term rental regulation, sustainability and human rights.

Key Job Responsibilities and Duties:

• Leading organization, program management and implementation for all policy-related communications activity
• Continuously building trusted relationships with the Brussels press corps and relevant media contacts throughout Europe and other key markets globally, serving as a key point of contact for briefings and media enquiries
• Thinking strategically and ensuring relevancy by “connecting-the-dots” and effectively mapping Booking.com’s business objectives to policy conversations in the marketplace
• Turning complex ideas into stories and visual concepts easily understood by a broad audience
• Owning policy communications strategy development in partnership with Global Communications leadership, developing and regularly updating all relevant policy messaging for use with targeted media and stakeholders in Brussels, as well as serving as a key resource for colleagues managing communications in regional/local markets in alignment with the Legal and Public Affairs team
• Developing a forward-looking editorial plan, inclusive of key policy media for the purpose of briefings, thought leadership opportunities and targeted event participation
• Remaining continuously connected to the Brussels landscape to identify new opportunities for Booking.com to lend its voice on relevant tech, travel, competition and sustainability topics (among others) in a stand alone capacity or in partnership with other big industry players
• Driving enhanced transparent stakeholder relations – both internally and externally, with the ability to map this network and maintain a steady cadence of communication, providing strategic counsel to Global Communications and Legal & Public Affairs teams, as well as global and regional leadership
• Setting key performance indicators in partnership with Global Communications leadership, measuring the outcomes of policy-related outreach and activity

Qualifications & Skills:

• Years of relevant Job knowledge ( 8-12 years)
• Bachelor Degree
• Proven track record of 8+ years in communications, with a strong background in government relations
• Solid understanding of the Brussels regulatory environment (how it operates) and especially for tech businesses in Europe and globally, including the wider implications for business and corporate reputation
• Agency experience a plus
• Excellent written and verbal skills in English, with the ability to present confidently to senior stakeholders in an international environment (other languages a plus)
• Demonstrable experience in media relations, with a strong network of contacts
• Business savvy thinker with an affinity for tech, naturally goal-oriented and curious
• Flexible and resilient problem solver with ability to build broad-based consensus across teams and stakeholders
• Good knowledge of the Booking.com business landscape and/or global e-commerce space, including the range of potential issues relating to platform businesses
• Experience with stakeholder management (up and down) and an ability to navigate large global organizations
• Strong organizational skills
• Clear and strategic thinking with the ability to develop and execute multi-faceted communications plans, often with short lead time
• Ability to move quickly, be extremely hands on.

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 role does not come with relocation assistance.

• Application and CV review
• Recruitment phone screen
• Two stakeholder interviews, including a business case exercise
• Meet the team chemistry chat
• Hiring decision

Let’s go places together: How we Hire

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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