Regional Manager, People Operations – APAC

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: The Regional Manager People Operations (NL) is responsible for leading the end-to-end People Operations strategy and service delivery for the company’s largest and most complex employee population. The role translates global People strategy into high-quality, compliant, and employee-centric operations at Netherlands level, while ensuring alignment with global standards and adapting to headquarters-specific needs. The role leads operational excellence across the employee lifecycle, drives continuous improvement, and ensures delivery of reliable, scalable People services. Due to the scale and complexity of the headquarters population, significantly larger than other regions, this role operates with increased scope, stakeholder exposure, and operational impact. You report to the Global Senior Manager People Operations. Key Job Responsibilities and Duties: People Operations LeadershipDefine the Netherlands People Operations objectives, priorities, and roadmaps aligned with the wider People Ops and PST strategy. Translate global frameworks into effective regional execution, tailored to headquarters needs Represent People Operations in key regional and cross-functional initiatives Own the senior People Operations lead for the Netherlands headquarters population Service DeliveryAccountable for the team’s accurate, compliant, and timely personnel administration and payroll inputs Own service delivery performance, including SLAs, KPIs, quality standards, and compliance Drive continuous improvement of People Operations processes to enhance employee experience and operational efficiency Accountable for monitoring data integrity and process adherence across People systems (e.g., Workday, ServiceNow) Identify operational risks and implement mitigation plans Review quarterly business reviews (QBRs), scorecards, and performance insights; challenge and endorse improvement actions Ensure successful integration and maturity of Netherlands Ops team as part of the tiering model Drive integration of knowledge management within the day to day operations Stakeholder & Partnership ManagementBuild and maintain strong relationships with senior stakeholders, including but not limited to Payroll, HR Advisory, Legal, and global People teams Act as escalation point for high-risk issues and persistent performance challenges Lead alignment conversations to ensure Netherlands needs are reflected in global process design Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead, coach, and develop a team of People Operations Specialists and Senior Specialists Conduct regular 1:1s focused on performance, engagement, and development Own performance management processes, including bi-annual reviews and ongoing goal tracking Allocate work and projects based on team capacity, strengths, and development goals Foster a high-performance, service-oriented, and continuously improving team culture Workforce & Capacity ManagementOwn Netherlands capacity planning and workforce forecasting across People Operations and Talent Coordination Assess current and future workload trends to ensure appropriate resourcing levels Make data-driven recommendations on internal FTE growth, reallocation, or role redesign Evaluate and manage Netherlands contingent workforce strategy, including decisions to extend, convert, or roll off contingent workers Balance service levels, budget constraints, and operational risk when making resourcing decisions Partner with Finance and Global People leadership on headcount planning and budget alignment Ensure optimal allocation of resources across peak periods and strategic initiatives Compliance, Governance & RiskEnsure regional compliance with Dutch labor law and internal policies Oversee implementation and operationalization of company policies and procedures Maintain audit readiness and documentation standards Partner with key stakeholders such as Legal, Payroll, Comp & Ben on regulatory changes impacting People Operations Process Improvement & TransformationDrive capacity management for Netherlands team and assess con Proactively identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate processes Lead or contribute to regional and global People Operations improvement initiatives Use data and insights to drive operational decisions and resource planning Support scaling of People Operations services in line with organizational growth Qualifications & Skills: 5+ years of people leadership experience in an international HR or People Operations environment Strong experience in People Operations service delivery, payroll processes, and HR systems (Workday experience strongly preferred) Demonstrated experience leading process improvement and operational excellence initiatives Experience managing complex stakeholder environments and senior business relationships Solid knowledge of Dutch labor law and HR compliance requirements Experience working with outsourced or centralized service models (e.g., Talent Coordination, shared services, or RPO-style environments) is a strong plus Proven ability to manage performance through KPIs, SLAs, and service metrics Strong coaching and people development skills Comfortable operating in a fast-changing, scaling organization Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a data-informed mindset Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Project and change management experience Fluent in English (written and spoken); additional languages are a plus Benefits & Perks - Global Impact, Personal Relevance: Booking.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 leave Industry leading product discounts - up to 1400 per year - for yourself, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at Booking.com: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion 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 Process: This section should provide: Let’s go places together: How we Hire This role does not come with relocation assistance. Booking.com is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We strive to move well beyond traditional equal opportunity and work to create an environment that allows everyone to thrive. Pre-Employment Screening If 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.