Director, Legal

With millions of diners, 60,000+ restaurant partners and 25+ years of experience, OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), is an industry leader with a passion for helping restaurants thrive. Our world-class technology empowers restaurants to focus on what matters most – their team, their guests, and their bottom line – while enabling diners to discover and book the perfect restaurant for every occasion. 

Every employee at OpenTable has a tangible impact on what we do and how we do it. You’ll also be part of a global team that includes and its portfolio of metasearch brands. Hospitality is all about taking care of others, and it defines our culture.

About the Role

OpenTable, part of Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG), is seeking a highly skilled and motivated attorney to join its Legal team as Director, Legal, reporting to the General Counsel. This role is based in San Francisco, California with a hybrid work model of 2 days per week in office.

This is a broad and high-impact role designed for a legal generalist with employment and litigation subject matter expertise. This role will own litigation and employment matters, while also providing leadership and strategic decision-making across commercial, product, and regulatory matters. This role is well-suited for a collaborative business-minded leader who thrives in a fast-paced, global technology environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership & Generalist Legal Support

• Provide strategic advice, decision-making support, and leadership across the full range of legal issues facing the company.

• Manage and mentor a team of commercial and product attorneys, ensuring consistent, practical, and business-oriented legal advice across functions.

• Collaborate with our senior leadership and advise on high visibility, high impact strategic initiatives and commercial partnerships and product launches.

• Serve as an escalation point for the team on high-impact or time-sensitive matters.

• Support the company’s engagement with regulators, industry groups, and external stakeholders where appropriate.

• Litigation Management & Employment Matters:

• Oversee active litigation and dispute matters, coordinating with external counsel as needed.

• Provide strategic guidance to minimize exposure and resolve disputes effectively.

• Manage internal stakeholder communication, document collection, and timelines related to litigation matters.

• Serve as lead advisor on global employment policies, procedures, and applicable labor law requirements.

• Provide practical, business-oriented advice on a broad range of employment law issues, including performance management, terminations, employee relations issues, pay transparency, immigration, equity/compensation, and workplace accommodations.

• Partner with the People Team (HRBPs, HR Ops, Recruiting, Compensation & Benefits) to design and implement legally-compliant policies, programs, and processes.

• Collaborate with the Compliance & Ethics team on sensitive workplace investigations, company-wide compliance programs, and hotline matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) and active license to practice law.

• Minimum 8 years of combined law firm and in-house experience, with a strong focus on strategic initiatives, employment law and litigation management.

• Proven ability to manage complex contracts, litigation matters, and employment-related legal issues.

• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills.

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to advise executives and cross-functional teams effectively.

• Demonstrated success managing outside counsel and achieving cost-efficient, strategic outcomes in litigation.

• Experience managing and mentoring attorneys; demonstrated ability to lead a team.

• Knowledge of regulatory frameworks relevant to technology companies (e.g., competition, consumer protection) strongly preferred.

• Highly strategic and analytical with strong ability to issue-spot, assess and communicate risks, make common-sense decisions in the face of ambiguity, and find flexible/creative solutions to achieve business goals. 

• Ability to balance multiple matters simultaneously and to respond quickly to shifting priorities. 

• Exceptional judgment, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to make sound decisions in ambiguous or fast-moving environments.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trust across all levels of the organization. 

• Excellent judgment, high integrity, and strong verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a “can-do” attitude. Highly motivated, resourceful, and able to balance multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

• Adaptability and openness to taking on new or unfamiliar legal areas.

Benefits and Perks

• Work from (almost) anywhere for up to 20 days per year

• Focus on mental health and well-being:

• Company-paid therapy sessions through SpringHealth

• Company-paid subscription to Headspace

• Annual company-wide week off a year - the whole team fully recharges (and returns without a pile-up of work!)

• Paid parental leave

• Generous paid vacation + time off for your birthday

• Paid volunteer time

• Focus on your career growth:

• Development Dollars

• Leadership development

• Access to thousands of on-demand e-learnings

• Travel Discounts

• Employee Resource Groups

• Free lunch 2 days per week

• Convenient downtown SF office location close to the Montgomery MUNI and BART stations. 

• Building amenities, such as a gym, dog policy, & bike parking

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. The range for this United States based role is $220,000 - $260,000 USD. 

We offer a competitive base salary and benefits including: health benefits; flexible spending account; retirement benefits; life insurance; paid time off (including PTO, paid sick leave, medical leave, bereavement leave, floating holidays and paid holidays); and parental leave benefits. This role is eligible to be considered for an annual bonus and equity grant.

Work Environment & Flexibility

At OpenTable, we pride ourselves on fostering a global and dynamic work environment. As a team member with us, you will benefit from a schedule tailored to accommodate a global workforce operating across multiple time zones. While the majority of your responsibilities may align with conventional business hours, there will be instances where you are expected to manage communications - via calls, Slack messages, or emails - outside of regular working hours to effectively collaborate with international colleagues, respond to restaurant partners, and/or address urgent matters. OpenTable will always abide by and consider local laws and regulations.

Inclusion

We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. We know the best ideas come when we bring different voices to the table, so we're building a team as dynamic as the diners and restaurants we serve—and fostering a culture where everyone feels welcome to be themselves.

If you need adjustments during the application or interview process, or on the job, we’re here to support you. Please reach out to your recruiter to request any adjustments.