**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 Description:
As the Labor Relations Lead (Spain), you will provide strategic leadership for labor relations initiatives across
Spain offices, managing relationships with works councils and unions in countries with varying dialogue intensity, ranging from structured negotiations in France, Spain, and Italy, to lighter consultations in Poland, Norway, Sweden and South Africa. You will engage social bodies early in the design of business changes to ensure continuous compliance, mitigate risk, and prevent procedural bottlenecks. By managing recurring Business-As-Usual (BAU) processes and fostering a constructive social climate, you will successfully implement company decisions, manage various activities related to the establishment of an European Works Council (EWC), and ensure consistency across EMEA and NL Work Councils activities.
**Key Job Responsibilities and Duties: **
Strategic Strategy & Governance
- Spain Social Strategy: Develop and execute a regional labor relations strategy that aligns legal requirements with company strategy and cultural contexts to foster a consistent and constructive social climate.
- Regional Streamlining: Standardize labor relations communications and strategies across EMEA and the European Works Council (EWC) to reduce legal complexity and ensure cross-country consistency.
- BAU Management: Oversee recurring business-as-usual (BAU) processes, including mandatory annual consultations and regular working groups for regional councils and unions.
Change Management & Consultation
- Early Engagement Design: Partner with leadership during the initial design phase of company initiatives to incorporate social requirements upfront, preventing late-stage rework of business decisions.
- Change Navigation: Lead social bodies through required consultation processes for company initiatives, ensuring timely communication and implementation of business decisions.
- Negotiation Leadership: Provide direct oversight of Works Council negotiations and mandatory consultations, securing buy-in while maintaining management's operational goals.
Compliance & Risk Mitigation
- Legal Adherence: Ensure strict adherence to labor laws, social dialogue mandates, and collective agreements, serving as the primary advisor to stakeholders on compliance risks.
- Escalation Prevention: Proactively manage relationships with local representatives to resolve minor issues early, preventing them from escalating into strategic roadblocks.
Stakeholder Collaboration
- Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Employment Legal, Statutory Directors, and Business HR to navigate complex, country-specific labor laws and close negotiations efficiently.
- Trust Building: Act as the central liaison between EMEA leadership and social partners, fostering a culture of transparency and constructive dialogue at all organizational levels.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Core Legal/HR Skills: Expert knowledge of collective labor law and works agreements, and a proven track record managing complex social dialogue projects.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish
- Preferred Experience: Background in HR or an in-house legal department, specific experience with works council negotiations and company agreements, cross-functional project management, investigation and conflict resolution, and exposure to an international business environment.
- Soft Skills: Proactive, strategic, and highly skilled at building trust across all organizational levels while navigating complex social and legal requirements. Structured approach to organize work effectively. High proficiency in stakeholder management.
Work Arrangement: Regular presence in the Spanish offices is required to maintain effective relationships with social partners and stakeholders. Frequent travels in EMEA countries (max 20% of time).
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
Inclusion at Booking.com:
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
- 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.