Head of Public Affairs, US and the Americas (Booking Holdings)

About Booking Holdings

Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) is the world's leading provider of online travel and related services, provided to consumers and local partners in more than 220 countries and territories through five primary consumer-facing brands: Booking.com, Priceline, KAYAK, OpenTable and Agoda. The mission of Booking Holdings is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. For more information, visit BookingHoldings.com and follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) @BookingHoldings.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Global Head of Public Affairs (based in the Netherlands), this position will lead and provide direction for the company’s Public Affairs program in the United States, as well as the rest of the Americas. The Head of Public Affairs, US and the Americas, represents the interests of Booking Holdings and its brands (Booking.com, Priceline, KAYAK, Open Table and Agoda) before federal, state and local governments, political and regulatory audiences, trade groups and associations, and other relevant stakeholders, and engages with external stakeholders at the highest levels (including negotiating and influencing). The role will support and work side by side with the Booking Holdings CEO in their dealings and interactions with legislators, executive branch officials, trade groups, alliance partners, and other PA stakeholders. The role will manage external consultants and lobbyists.

This role works closely with the Legal and Public Affairs teams across Booking Holdings corporate, Booking.com and the other brands in the Booking Holdings group of companies, as well as with brand CEOs and senior management, brand and corporate business teams and other corporate functions, such as Communications/PR, Corporate Tax and Sustainability. As part of the Public Affairs leadership at Booking.com, this role makes an important contribution to the strategic positioning and reputation of the company among external stakeholders and deals with issues of (potentially) high impact on the company.

Key Responsibilities

• Define, develop and implement the PA strategy to support business priorities and Booking Holdings’’ corporate profile in the US and the Americas,
• Work as the company’s PA spokesperson, engaging with political and regulatory audiences
• Liaise with legislators, executive branch and other federal, state and local government officials at high levels on business-related public policy issues
• Facilitate high-level meetings for the Booking Holdings CEO and brand CEOs and other senior business leaders with key stakeholders, including legislatures and governments, regulatory bodies, industry associations, and alliance partners to promote and advocate the company’s priorities
• Manage our membership of trade associations and represent the company at these associations’ board
• Ensure thorough analysis of monitoring and evaluation of political stakeholder activity and regulatory developments, including by managing consultants and lobbyists
• Communicate internally to align messaging and provide colleagues with a thorough understanding of PA priorities
• Articulate Booking Holdings’ and our brands’ positions in briefing papers, consultation responses, internal and external meetings
  
  
  

Key Skills

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred
• A minimum of 12 years of experience in Public Affairs or a similar field is required
• Demonstrable knowledge of and experience in influencing policy-making in the domain of tech and/or travel
• Leader with mastery of government relations and of effectively operating as part of an inhouse PA function
  
  
  

Our Commitment to Diversity

Through the Booking Holdings brands, we help our customers reach all corners of the earth. Our ability to provide great service rests on how well we understand our diverse customer base, which is why having a diverse team is so important to us. We bring together employees from all walks of life and we are proud to provide the kind of inclusive environment that stimulates innovation, creativity and collaboration.

There are a variety of factors that go into determining a salary range, including but not limited to external market benchmark data, geographic location, and years of experience sought/required. In addition to a competitive base salary, roles are eligible to be considered for an annual bonus and equity grant.

The base salary range for the Washington DC area is $197,100- $240,900.

We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits program designed to keep you and your family healthy, plan for the future and make the most out of life. For a glimpse of our benefits offerings, please see here. In addition to competitive health and wellness benefits, we currently offer other perks to eligible employees, such as: tuition reimbursement, fitness reimbursement, discounts, and more!

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to click the "apply" button!

EEO Statement:

Booking Holdings is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with all applicable federal, state and local laws. We ensure equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants without discrimination or harassment based on race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.

Booking Holdings also extends this policy to every phase of the employment process including, but not limited to, recruitment, selection, placement, transfer, training and development, position elimination, restructure, promotion, compensation, benefits, layoffs, termination, and all other conditions or privileges of employment. Booking Holdings and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please email reasonableaccommodation@bookingholdings.com with your request. M/F/V/D/S

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.