Director - Legal, Commercial (Bangkok-based, Relocation Provided)

Agoda · Bangkok

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Get to Know our Team:  

In the age of technology, things are constantly changing. The travel market is much the same, being more dynamic and complex than ever. Agoda’s Legal team is well suited to take on the challenges presented, adopting a proactive mindset to tackle challenges and solve problems. We are quick on our feet, decisive, and collaborate with multiple departments. We hire out-of-the-box thinkers that are well grounded with ethics and legal knowledge to ensure that Agoda achieves the right results, the right way.  

The Opportunity: 

This is an exciting opportunity to lead, develop and grow a role within the Commercial and Corporate Team. Seeking a senior, seasoned, able, confident, curious and self-motivated lawyer (to be based in Bangkok) to join the Agoda Commercial and Corporate Legal team who will work closely with other stakeholders in the Booking Holdings group and particularly with colleagues across the Group brands.  

This is an important role, reporting to the VP of Commercial and Corporate, leading and owning the relations with the Supply team that manages 100% of Agoda’s property relationships. There is a high focus on supply contracts, B2B relationships, all matters relating to hotel/property relationships, general commercial matters and Supply Team operational improvements. You will have an opportunity to be the sole POC for what is one of Agoda’s most dynamic and important teams – right at the heartbeat of the Agoda model.

*This role is based in Bangkok, with relocation and work visa provided for those who aren't yet based in-market

**No full-remote options

In this Role, you'll get to:  

• Be the key decision maker for certain legal decisions in conjunction with business stakeholders and escalates other key decisions. You will ensure collaborative engagement with teams across the Agoda Legal Team and manage escalations to senior management (including GC and CEO).  

• Draft and negotiate international, commercial agreements with a focus on strategic partnerships, B2B, supply distribution, new initiatives, marketing, and public relations. 

• Own and lead the legal support with a critical business partner that covers 100% of all supply relationships for Agoda. With a small team you will help develop junior team members coaching and mentoring.  

• Actively engage with Agoda senior management at a C-suite level.  

• Provide well-reasoned, practical legal advice on a wide-range of legal and business matters and processes. You will be the “go to person” for the Supply team and will dovetail your priorities with their priorities and strategy.  

• Be fully autonomous for management of the legal Supply team together with the creation and delivery of departmental and team objectives.  

• For Supply stakeholders – lead the provision of advice, strategic direction and commercial solutions relating to litigation and disputes. Managing these with smart, innovative and P&L focused solutions. Draft key agreements with hotel partners, manage disputes and drive continual improvement and innovation.  

• As a true business partner, to maintain regular communication with key business teams, including senior level management, global legal team, finance and tax, and external counsel. 

• Drive and implement contract standards and controls, including that which happens at the holding company and/or sister-brand level. 

• Be the lead contact to drive new policies, procedures, training, and templates with the goal of fostering efficiency and compliance – with a lens on efficiency and innovation.  

• Influence senior stakeholders on innovative implementation of key legislation across broad legal areas specific to Supply.  

• Support the VP of Commercial and Corporate in ideation and implementation of pan team strategies, initiatives and innovation. You will work across the Agoda legal team driving collaboration, efficiencies and a deep level of cross team engagement.  

What you'll Need to Succeed: 

• 12+ years post qualified experience with a high level of impact. 

• Demonstrable ability to work autonomously with proven management and leadership experience of small-medium sized teams. High level of commercial awareness and business acumen. 

• Autonomous ability to manage and lead a multitude of complex and strategic legal matters and demonstrates a broad vision for the function. Ability to create, drive and own a strategy for the Supply legal team ensuring that vision and strategy is aligned with the annual business goals.  

• 1st class communication (verbal and written) and organization skills with high level of English proficiency. Exceptional legal drafting skills.  

• Experience in negotiating and influencing high complexity and risk matters externally (including government authorities). 

• Have the ability to provide commercial, innovative legal solutions to a fast paced and challenging business partner. A passion to drive efficiencies and process improvement – including the use of Gen AI.  

• Qualified lawyer/attorney with current entitlement to practice. Strong academic credentials, top-tier law firm experience plus prior in-house and significant contracting and commercial experience. 

• History of providing simple, concise & pragmatic advice for legal matters with high complexity and risk or strategic importance, always ensuring communications cut through complexities, are simple, avoid jargon and appropriate for the target audience. Making the complex simple with a wide range of stakeholders.  

• Deep experience in dealing with general commercial contracting matters, B2B relationships, procurement and disputes – ideally within the travel or B2B space. This role will be the sole contact for all supply related matters (including disputes) for the Agoda One Supply division. 

• Proactively anticipating issues that are yet to come for the business supported areas with holistic awareness across the organization. Create innovative solutions that take account of risk appetite and business goals. 

• Interact with colleagues, both legal and commercial, from the Supply/Key Accounts teams as well as Product Team to drive collaboration, consistency and alignment of operational practices. 

• Ability to work independently from intake through execution and work closely with business partners on solutions and innovative process improvements. 

• Aligned with the Agoda values and in particular Legal Teams “Values in Action”.  

• A demonstrated can-do, roll up your sleeves, collaborative approach, coupled with a strong work ethic and sound judgment. 

• Experience with travel industry/technology. 

• Ability to forge trusted relationships with colleagues around the world. 

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