AVP, Legal Counsel

Overview

An established media and entertainment organization is seeking an accomplished and strategic Associate Vice President, Legal Counsel to join their in-house legal team. This role involves leading and providing comprehensive transactional legal support across the media and entertainment business. The successful candidate will serve as a key legal advisor and thought leader to senior leadership, driving complex transactions, managing legal risk, and contributing to the long-term strategic direction of the organization in a rapidly evolving industry.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Strategic Advisory

• Serve as a senior legal advisor across various business teams, including procurement, sales, customer service, engineering, and operations.
• Partner to shape legal strategy, policies, and priorities aligned with organizational objectives.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior legal staff and paralegals within the legal department.
• Lead and manage outside counsel relationships, including oversight of legal spending, billing, and performance.

Transactional Law and Commercial Negotiations

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex, high-value agreements, including application and distribution agreements, affiliate agreements, technology and SaaS agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, and strategic partnership agreements.
• Develop and implement contract templates, legal playbooks, best practices, and standardized processes to improve efficiency and consistency across the legal function.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Advise senior leadership on regulatory and compliance matters specific to the pay-TV industry, including FCC regulations and consumer protection laws.
• Monitor and assess legislative and regulatory developments affecting the satellite television and streaming industries and proactively communicate implications to executive leadership.
• Ensure transactional activities remain in full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with business units including content acquisition, product development, engineering, operations, sales, marketing, technology, finance, ad sales, customer service, and government affairs on strategic corporate initiatives.
• Act as a key liaison between the legal department and senior business leadership to ensure legal considerations and business risks are integrated into business decision-making at the highest levels.
• Protect valuable intellectual property with respect to licensing and development agreements.
• Support and contribute to enterprise-wide risk management and corporate governance initiatives.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive transactional legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in complex negotiations of high-value, strategic transactions.
• Strong background in commercial contract drafting and negotiations within the media, entertainment, IP, app distribution, and/or technology sectors.
• Familiarity with FCC regulations and pay-TV industry compliance is a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, collaborate with teams, and prioritize multiple high-stakes matters in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex legal and business issues clearly to executive audiences.
• Strong business acumen and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to legal and business issues.
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, teamwork, and the ability to influence and build consensus at all levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting streaming platforms, OTT services, or digital media businesses at a senior level.
• Deep knowledge of intellectual property, legal risks, and contracts law.
• Exceptional contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing and developing legal teams or junior attorneys.
• Proficiency with contract management systems and legal technology tools.
• Prior experience in a matrixed, large-scale corporate environment at the AVP level.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive executive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and executive decision-makers.
• Lead high-impact transactions within a premier media and entertainment company.
• Flexible, work-from-home opportunity.
• Exposure to cutting-edge developments in streaming and media technologies.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

The compensation structure is market-competitive and designed to attract and retain employees. Salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location within four U.S. labor market zones:

• Low (N1): $196,707 - $295,061
• Mid (N2): $207,060 - $310,590
• High (N3): $227,766 - $341,649
• Top (N4): $238,119 - $357,179

Note: These ranges reflect base salary only and do not include bonus or benefits.

Location

This is a remote position that can be located anywhere in the contiguous United States. The role requires up to 5% travel for legal team meetings and other engagements.

Additional Information

• May require a background check due to job duties involving routine access to proprietary data.
• Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered in accordance with local ordinances and state law.