Commercial Counsel, Rocket Travel by Agoda (New York City)

About the Role

Rocket Travel by Agoda is the strategic partnerships arm of Agoda and its affiliate Rocket Travel, Inc., both of which are part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG). Rocket Travel by Agoda partners with global brands to bring their customers rewarding and engaging travel experiences that deliver value, maximize rewards, and build customer loyalty for partners’ brands. Rocket Travel by Agoda is looking for a Commercial Counsel to join our growing US-based Legal team. We are seeking a confident, talented and self-motivated lawyer to join the larger Agoda Legal team with a dedicated focus to support the commercial legal needs of Rocket Travel by Agoda.

While much of the role will require close collaboration with Rocket Travel by Agoda colleagues, this is an opportunity that extends to the entire global Agoda business and the chance to work with the growing Agoda Legal team, largely based in Bangkok, Thailand. This role reports directly to Rocket Travel by Agoda’s Senior Commercial Counsel and is based in the New York City area, with a hybrid working model that encourages an in-office presence at least two (2) days per week. You will get to work closely with senior stakeholders at both Agoda and Rocket Travel by Agoda, the Head of Legal for Agoda Americas/Managing Counsel of Rocket Travel by Agoda, as well as lawyers around the globe from our family of Booking Holdings brands.

In this specialized Commercial Counsel role, you will be given the chance to mold this position to suit the business needs, with a primary focus on supporting tech-focused product and service deals for Rocket Travel by Agoda’s global partnerships. In both leading and supporting roles, you will be expected to negotiate and navigate the contracting process from the first business development meetings to the final execution copies; from basic legal principles to complex subject-matter specific areas and business-critical commercial terms. You will help to evaluate strategic and advantageous business options, while managing and mitigating risks to Rocket Travel by Agoda.

Rocket Travel by Agoda is a place where you:

• Work with teammates across the globe who have a passion for finding solutions backed by data and strategy.
• Take moonshots by going above and beyond to hit and exceed our goals as a team.
• Rise together by working collectively to elevate ourselves, supporting one another and catching each other when we fall.
• Own decisions and take action that can be promptly and efficiently implemented.
• Receive a competitive compensation package, including bonus, 401k with match, flexible vacation time, maternity and paternity benefits, health, and dental insurance.
• Share your passion for travel with equally adventurous and spontaneous teammates.
• Work within Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) group of companies to create travel solutions that build customer loyalty through customized value propositions for partners around the world.

As Commercial Counsel at Rocket Travel by Agoda, your responsibilities and duties will include:

• Serving as Commercial Counsel for Rocket Travel by Agoda and its global partnership business (e.g., airlines, financial institutions, telecom companies, loyalty programs).
• Contract reviewing, drafting, negotiating and advising responsibilities for a variety of agreements relating to distribution, software services, suppliers/vendors/consultants, and technology/licensing/development.
• Providing strategic business and legal advice to Rocket Travel by Agoda business stakeholders.
• Managing and resolving legal escalations that arise from existing commercial relationships and customer disputes.
• Preparing and maintaining template documentation and negotiation guidelines, ensuring consistent contractual positions, and providing training to internal business stakeholders.
• Liaising with and assisting Rocket Travel by Agoda’s Senior Commercial Counsel, the Head of Legal for Agoda Americas/Managing Counsel of Rocket Travel by Agoda, the global Agoda Legal team (largely based in Bangkok, Thailand), cross-brand Booking Holdings legal colleagues, and external counsel, as may needed.

About you:

• J.D., from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission, in good standing, to at least one State Bar (New York preferred).
• 4+ years of relevant commercial experience at a top-tier law firm and as in-house legal department of a global company. Candidates with experience in the travel, hospitality or other related tech industries and as in-house counsel are preferred.
• Thrives working in a fast-paced, high-pressure, entrepreneurial environment.
• A team player with the ability to work effectively, collaboratively and cross-functionally with a global team, as well as to think creatively and be solution-oriented.
• The ability to navigate across two different companies (Agoda and Rocket Travel), varying time zones and differing departments within both Agoda and Rocket Travel by Agoda.

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. 

The annual salary range for the NYC-metro area is $150,000-$175,000.  

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