Legal Counsel – AI and Machine Learning

NLP PEOPLE; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading online travel agency is seeking a Legal Counsel for AI to provide legal oversight for AI initiatives. The role involves managing compliance with AI regulations, collaborating with various teams, and developing legal policies. Suitable candidates should be qualified lawyers with experience in the technology sector, particularly in AI, and possess strong communication and project management skills.

Benefits

Annual paid time off including generous leave schemes

Hybrid working arrangements with ergonomic support

Access to online learning platforms

Commuting allowance and bike reimbursement

Qualifications

• Qualified lawyer with experience in the technology sector and preferably in AI.
• 2 to 5 years of law firm or in-house legal experience.
• Experience with data and privacy laws, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Act as a central pivot for AI product initiatives.
• Manage a pipeline of AI initiatives and ensure legal compliance.
• Collaborate with multiple teams to provide legal counsel.

Skills

Legal experience in technology sector

Knowledge of EU AI Act

Strong communication skills

Project management skills

Innovative legal solutions

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Law

Masters in Law

Tools

Legal technology solutions

Job description

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. You will also play a role in testing and experimenting with how Booking.com’s Legal & Public Affairs department may itself make use of AI to be as effective as possible. Knowledge and experience in the field of legal technology, legal design and the use of AI by in-house legal teams will therefore be a bonus.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• 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 multi-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.

Desirable traits

• 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

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: 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

Inclusion

Inclusion has 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

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

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.

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.

Company: Booking.com

Qualifications: Senior (5+ years of experience)