Strategy & Operations Manager

This job is with Booking.com, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly. 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 make. The journeys you take. The sights you see. And the food you sample. Through our products, partners and people, we can empower everyone to experience the world. Why this role existsFinTech Products sits at the core of enabling growth, compliance and new revenue streams for Booking through reliable, innovative payments, wallet/FX, cards and RegTech capabilities. The function spans multiple areas (Traveler Payments, Partner Payments, FinTech Foundations) and operates in a deeply cross‑functional environment with Product, Engineering, Data, Finance, Legal/Compliance and other BHI brands. The Chief of Staff is the VP’s operating and strategy arm: they translate strategy into execution, run the leadership cadence, accelerate decisions, and ensure our portfolio delivers outcomes against company priorities and the FinTech Products vision of best‑in‑class customer experiences through reliable, innovative fintech products.Key responsibilitiesVP Operating SystemOrchestrate the weekly/monthly FinTech Products leadership cadence; drive crisp decision-making, follow-ups and issue resolution. Act as point-of-contact and “control tower” for VP priorities, risks and escalations across Product, Tech and Enabling Functions.Replace and represent the VP in leadership team meetings and cross-area forums when needed; ensure inputs are prepared, positions aligned, and outcomes tracked to closure.Strategy and planningLiaise with central strategy and planning (Business Operations) teams to ensure the annual and in-year strategy and planning process for FinTech Products translates the vision into measurable objectives, bets and success metrics aligned to company priorities.Synthesize market/competitor insights and internal data to inform strategy choices and investment cases; prepare VP-level narratives and exec-ready materials.Own high-impact, strategic priority programs from ideation to delivery on behalf of the VPOrg effectiveness and operationsDrive adoption of standardized operations processes (planning, quarterly reviews, hiring priorities, budget rhythms, comms/change) to increase efficiency and simplify where possible; act as business partner to initiative sponsors/owners.Partner with Business Operations/HR Advisory/TA/FP&A on headcount planning and hiring progress across FinTech Products, surfacing risks and trade-offs to the VP and the FinTech Products LT.Communications and change leadershipCraft and land VP communications (org updates, vision roll-outs, offsites) to align teams across Amsterdam/Bangalore and other hubs; facilitate offsites and leadership workshops.Support change management for strategic shifts (e.g., track reshapes, portfolio focus changes, operating model improvements) ensuring clear rationale, impact assessment and adoption plans.Qualifications And Experience8+ years in Chief of Staff/Strategy/Business Operations/Program leadership roles in product-led tech or fintech; proven experience operating with VP/SVP stakeholders and substituting in executive forums.Stakeholder influence and alignment up to Director/VP, with productive interaction at Sr Director/VP level; strong relationship building across diverse teams and external partners as needed.Demonstrated track record leading cross-functional programs, ideally in FinTech/Payments; strong grasp of FinTech domain and regulatory implications.Excellence in structured problem solving, and executive communications; ability to turn ambiguity into crisp plans with measurable outcomes.Comfortable operating across Amsterdam/Bangalore/London hubs with distributed teams; adept at establishing scalable operating mechanisms and rhythmsBachelor’s degree required; MBA or equivalent experience in strategy/operations a plus.Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal RelevanceBenefitsBooking.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 leaveHybrid 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 creditContributing to a high scale, complex, world renowned product and seeing real-time impact of your work on millions of travelers worldwide;Working in a fast-paced and performance driven culture;Opportunity to utilize technical expertise, leadership capabilities and entrepreneurial spiritPromote and drive impactful and innovative engineering solutionsTechnical, behavioral and interpersonal competence advancement via on-the-job opportunities, experimental projects, hackathons, conferences and active community participationNeed more flexibility in your work week? We are happy to consider part-time, and reduced working week opportunities* (min. 32 hours per week, subject to terms and conditions)Inclusion At Booking.comInclusion 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 ProcessLet’s go places together: How we HireThis role does not come with relocation assistancePre-Employment ScreeningIf 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.