Labor Relations Lead

• 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
• 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

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Free access to Headspace for you and your loved ones
• Global Employee Assistance Program
• Meditation and Breastfeeding rooms at the office
• Booking Cares - 2 days per year to volunteer and learn
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Pension plan
• Annual paid time off
• Parental leave - 22 weeks
• Grandparent leave - 10 days
• Care leave - 10 days
• Bereavement leave - up to 4 weeks
• Anniversary leave
• Working from Home Furniture and Ergonomic Support
• Working from Abroad - up to 20 days per year
• Discounts & Wallet credits to spend on our products
• Upgrade to Booking.com Genius Level 3
• Friends & Family Booking.com discount vouchers
• Free access to online learning platforms
• Development and mentorship programs to support career growth
• Access to trainings and workshops
• Team development opportunities
• Local discount programs
• Game rooms in offices
• On-site meals, coffee and snacks including vegan options- 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
• Language Requirements: Fluency in both English and Spanish
• Core Legal/HR Skills: Expert knowledge of collective labor law and works agreements, and a proven track record managing complex social dialogue projects