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- Tasks: Lead executive recruitment strategies and manage complex talent acquisition projects.
- Company: Join Booking.com, a tech-driven company transforming travel experiences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on leadership hiring and shape the future of travel.
- Qualifications: Experience in executive recruitment and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on innovation and diversity.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
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
Booking.com is going through a major transformation across its global TA function to align it to the future needs of the business. Significant investment is being made across people and technology. One strategic area of growth is Booking.com’s Executive Recruitment function, which operates across the Booking Holdings group, supporting all brands and leadership teams. Having established the Executive Recruitment function a couple of years ago it has built a strong internal reputation and delivered major senior mandates across Booking.com and other Booking Holdings brands. The function has evolved from a primarily search‑delivery team to an enterprise‑level strategic talent advisory function, with an expanded mandate across Executive Hiring and Succession Risk Management.
Principal Recruiter Overview
The Principal Recruiter is a high‑impact talent acquisition strategist partnering with senior leaders (Sr Director to VP/SVP and C‑level) across Booking.com and the wider Booking Holdings group. The role advises on long‑term executive talent acquisition programs, complex cross‑brand searches, and proactive succession planning initiatives that have significant impact on business continuity and performance. In addition to leading critical executive searches, this role contributes to the group’s Succession Risk Management agenda by proactively identifying leadership gaps, mapping internal and external talent, and mitigating succession risk for business‑critical roles. This will require influence across both senior business and People teams, while setting the benchmark for operational excellence, structured assessment and executive candidate experience.
This role requires strong leadership traits including the ability to build relationships across brands, lead through strategic problem‑solving, communicate with clarity and credibility, and consistently maintain a high‑bar for execution in a complex global environment. This role reports into the Director Executive Recruitment.
Key Job Responsibilities and Duties
- Executive Talent Strategy able to challenge constructively, build trust quickly and navigate sensitive conversations with discretion.
- Highly organised and execution‑focused, with disciplined attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple complex searches simultaneously without compromising quality.
- Thrives in fast‑moving, evolving environments and is motivated by building and continuously elevating a high‑impact executive recruitment function.
- Able to function in a fast‑moving entrepreneurial environment.
- Humble yet confident, with high self‑awareness.
- A strategic thinker yet focused on execution; able to roll up their sleeves to get things done.
- Sound judgment when working through complex issues and when handling confidential information.
- Self‑starter with high energy and drive; fast‑paced and results‑driven; forward‑thinking.
- Experimental, ready to learn and open to change.
- Keep the customer at the centre of everything you do.
- Data‑driven.
- Committed to building a diverse, inclusive work environment.
Principal Leadership Recruiter employer: Booking Holdings, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Booking Holdings, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Leadership Recruiter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those at Booking.com. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. Show us how you align with our mission to make travel easier for everyone!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your skills can help us tackle complex challenges in executive recruitment. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Leadership Recruiter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through. We want to see how excited you are about joining our team and contributing to our mission at Booking.com.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the Principal Leadership Recruiter role. We love seeing how your background fits into our vision and values.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to tell us your story. Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role and how you can help us elevate our executive recruitment function.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Booking Holdings, Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Booking.com’s mission and values. Understand how data and technology drive their decisions and think about how your experience aligns with their focus on innovation and customer experience.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Be prepared to discuss your approach to executive talent acquisition. Think of examples where you've successfully navigated complex searches or built relationships with senior leaders. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to their strategic goals.
✨Emphasise Your Organisational Skills
Given the fast-paced environment, highlight your ability to manage multiple searches without compromising quality. Share specific instances where your attention to detail made a difference in your previous roles.
✨Be Ready for Sensitive Conversations
Since this role involves navigating sensitive topics, prepare for questions that assess your judgement and discretion. Think of scenarios where you’ve handled confidential information or difficult conversations effectively.