The Role: The FP&A Senior Manager, Forecast of the Future OPEX, is a pivotal leadership role within the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) team at Booking.com. This role is responsible for owning the end-to-end OPEX (Operating Expenses) forecasting transformation, leveraging advanced analytics, automation, and technology to drive forecasting excellence, strategic business partnering, and transformational change across a highly dynamic, multi-vertical organization.
The Senior Manager will take the lead to develop and execute the vision for future-fit OPEX forecasting (in line with FP&A 2030 vision), leveraging ALML capabilities from PlanIQ/Sagemaker, with a mandate to enhance accuracy, scalability, and business impact through data-driven insights and close collaboration with key business stakeholders & business controllers.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and articulate a compelling vision and strategy for OPEX forecasting, ensuring alignment with Booking.com’s FP&A 2030 vision and broader finance transformation agenda.
- Own the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of driver-based and scenario-led OPEX forecasting models in PlanIQ/Sagemaker, increasing accuracy and providing actionable insights to support decision-making.
- Embed advanced analytics, AI/ML capabilities, and automation within OPEX forecasting processes (leveraging tools like Anaplan, PlanIQ, or similar).
- Lead regular OPEX forecast updates for strategic planning, monthly business reviews, and ad-hoc business cases.
- Oversee variance analysis, identify key drivers of OPEX performance, and proactively recommend mitigation or optimization strategies.
- Work closely with Business Controllers & Business stakeholders, framing OPEX-related opportunities, risks and trade offs.
- Drive enterprise-wide projects focused on OPEX forecasting transformation, process automation, and the integration of new technologies.
- Work closely with Systems, Digital Reporting, and Business Process Owner teams to automate and streamline OPEX data flows and reporting, ensuring transparency and self-serve capabilities for stakeholders.
- Ensure OPEX forecasting processes comply with internal control, audit, and Booking Holdings regulatory requirements.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation, knowledge sharing, and a strong governance framework for all forecasting methodologies.
- Benchmark and incorporate leading predictive forecasting practices, tools, and techniques from external sources.
- Upskill business partners on OPEX forecast automation and self-serve analytics.
- Measure and communicate the impact of forecasting improvements on business performance.
Requirements
Essential
- Significant FP&A, OPEX forecasting, or finance technology experience (minimum 8 years), with at least 3 years in a senior manager or leadership role.
- Proven track record of delivering driver-based, AI/ML-enabled forecasting and analytics solutions at enterprise scale.
- Demonstrable history of leading finance transformation initiatives, including process, technology, and organizational change.
- Deep familiarity with enterprise planning systems (Anaplan required; OneStream or equivalent preferred), data integration, and automation tools.
- Strong expertise in OPEX domains: workforce/capex planning, scenario analysis, variance and sensitivity analysis, and business case modelling.
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Data Science, or related quantitative/technical field.
- Outstanding stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills—able to distill complex financial information to drive business alignment.
- Highly ambitious, change-oriented, and comfortable with ambiguity.
Preferred
- Accounting qualification (e.g., CGMA, CIMA, ACCA) or progress toward qualification.
- Hands-on experience in consulting or leading finance transformations.
- Certified in project/program management and/or EPM/planning platforms (Anaplan, OneStream).
- Direct experience in global e-commerce, technology, or high-growth environments.
Booking.com’s Total Rewards Philosophy is not only about compensation but also about benefits. Our Total Rewards are striven to make it easier for you to experience all that life has to offer—all the messy, beautiful, and joyful bits—on your terms. So you can focus on what really matters. We offer competitive compensation as well as thoughtful, valuable, and even fun benefits which include:
- Health, life, and disability insurance*
- Annual paid time off and generous paid leave scheme including: parent, grandparent, bereavement, and care leave
- Hybrid working including flexible working arrangements, and up to 20 days per year working from abroad (home country)
- Industry leading product discounts for yourself, friends, and family, including automatic Genius Level 3 status and Booking.com wallet credit
- Free access to online learning platforms, development and mentorship programs, and a complimentary Headspace membership
- On-site meals, coffee, and snacks, including healthy and vegan options, daily
Inclusion at Booking.com:
Take it from our Chief People Officer, Paulo Pisano: “At Booking.com, the diversity of our people doesn’t just create a unique 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.”
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.
