Public Affairs - IC - G
Role Description:
Role Description
Booking.com, the world’s leading accommodation website, is looking for a Public Affairs Manager Italy, based in Rome, to help drive its global Public Affairs function.The successful candidate will have a key role in shaping, managing and implementing our public policy strategy in Italy.He/she will be representing the interests of Booking.com before policy makers and other relevant policy and regulatory stakeholders at national, regional and local level, and help us analyze complex legal, regulatory and policy developments.
The successful candidate will report to the Head of Public Affairs DACH and Italy, based in Berlin. They will also work closely with the Director Public Affairs EMEA based in Amsterdam and the rest of the Public Affairs team located at our global headquarters in Amsterdam and at strategic hubs around the world, as well as with other departments within the company, local offices, and external partners such as consultancies and trade associations.
This is a great opportunity for someone wanting to make a real impact as part of a small, global team.
Key Responsibilities- Help shape, manage and execute a public policy strategy to support business priorities and Booking.com’s corporate profile
- Represent the company’s interests in Italy engaging with relevant political and regulatory audiences
- Ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation of relevant discussions, regulatory decisions and stakeholder activity on key public affairs / reputational issues
- Organise events and campaigns to support Booking.com’s corporate profile
- Draft presentations, briefings for internal and external meetings, position papers and consultation responses
- Represent the company’s interests by engaging with relevant political and regulatory audiences on national, regional and local level
- Proactively coordinate and communicate internally to align messaging and provide colleagues with a thorough understanding of developments
- Help facilitate high-level meetings with key stakeholders to promote and advocate the company’s public policy priorities
- Coordinate with external consultants and closely align with relevant trade associations.
The ideal candidate for the role of Public Affairs Manager Italy will have:
- Bachelor degree in policy, European Studies, international affairs, political science or other relevant field
- A proven track record of 5-8 years of relevant experience in Italy, ideally in a political/government institution in combination with inhouse or consultancy experience in the area of public affairs
- Good understanding of policy and legal challenges facing the tourism and tech industry particularly in Italy and affinity with the travel and platform industry
- Excellent oral communications skills and ability to distill complex information into clear messages that will resonate with political and regulatory audiences, as well as into succinct updates for the business teams
- High quality written skills and practical experience in drafting materials for use by regulators, senior executives or politicians
- Experience with the organisation of public affairs / policy events in Italy
- Experience developing creative and effective public affairs campaigns that underpin the company’s business objectives
- Outstanding organizational abilities, in particular, the capacity to manage multiple work streams at one time and the proactivity to drive work programmes forward and co-ordinate the involvement of all relevant stakeholders
- Experience working in fast-paced, multicultural environments
- Experience with managing sensitive reputational issues and/or crises
- Ability to engage directly with policy makers and to act as a spokesperson for the business
- Self-starter that is also an excellent team player
- Strong influencing skills and ability to inspire confidence, as well as the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships at all levels
- High level of integrity with ability to develop both internal and external credibility
- Hands-on, results-focused and impactful.
- Fluency in Italian and English, both verbally and in writing
- Aligning with Booking.com’s Values (Think Customer First, Succeed Together, Own It, Learn Forever, Do the Right Thing)
- Being curious, flexible, and a creative & pragmatic problem solver
- Confident yet collaborative
- Being proactive, resilient and having the drive to get things done
- Having sound judgement and the ability to see the big picture while simultaneously appreciating the details necessary to operationalise the strategy
- Having the courage to take positions and make tough judgment calls
- Being a team player, self aware and a good listener - a diverse group will always find the best solution!
- Ability to move with agility, prioritise workloads and meet deadlines
- Forward thinking with an interest in emerging issues in legal and policy.
Why join the Legal & Public Affairs Team now?
Booking.com’s Legal & Public Affairs team accompanies the company in transformational time for e-commerce and travel (think: growth, innovation, changes to how we operate). The Legal & Public Affairs team is a critical part of the enablement of Booking.com’s strategy of the Connected Trip (a travel experience that includes not just accommodation, but also transportation, attractions, experiences, payments, flights etc).
This is a journey that requires close business and Legal & Public Affairs partnerships to redefine our business model, navigate complex regulatory environments, build new products, and negotiate increasingly elaborate commercial deals, among other important projects our teams get involved every day.To tackle this mission, it all starts with a strong team passionate about growing Booking.com in an ethical and sustainable way!
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: 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
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- 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.
We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive.