Counsel, Distribution

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

The Associate Counsel/Counsel –Distribution role will support the SVP-Distribution Legal with respect to the lines of business that are negotiated and managed by the Versant Distribution Sales & Partnership team:

• Distribution of the Versant portfolio of television networks - MSNBC, CNBC, USA, E!, Syfy, Golf, and Oxygen and related digital content to a wide range of companies, spanning MVPDs, virtual MVPDs, and OTT/streaming platforms.
• Distribution of Versant’s free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels to connected TV and mobile device-associated platforms (e.g., The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus) as well as standalone FAST platforms (e.g., Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex).
• All other third-party distribution of Versant’s sports, news and entertainment content, as well as new partnerships and accretive transactions related to that content

In addition to drafting and negotiating agreements for the above, the Counsel-Content Distribution will be responsible for partnering with internal business units (e.g., marketing, finance) and their legal teams to align distribution priorities with companywide objectives as well as provide advice and ensure compliance with respect to current agreements.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review and negotiate complex distribution agreements with distribution partners for the networks and FAST channels.
• Manage contract execution processes and monitor key deal terms.
• Provide concise, commercially sound legal advice to Distribution Sales and Partnership team regarding deal structure and partner obligations, , and compliance with, current and future agreements.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams (marketing, privacy, finance, etc.) and their respective legal teams to ensure alignment with business priorities and maintain information flow.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Versant’s products and services, the fast-changing television distribution landscape and the entertainment business generally.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of the latest developments in law and technology as they relate to the distribution of media content, including privacy, ad tech, consumer functionality, security, and content windowing.

Qualifications/Requirements:   

• 4+ years of experience working on high-stakes contracts and their negotiation
• Law degree and member of a state bar in good standing
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions, IP transactions, content distribution, or other time-sensitive, high-stakes transactional work
• Exceptional contract drafting and analytical skills

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience and comfort with providing business-facing, actionable, relevant and practical advice to both legal and business counterparts
• Skilled at explaining complex terms clearly to non-legal partners
• A team player who brings emotional intelligence and collaborative energy to the table
• Excellence at detail-oriented, yet practical, analysis of legal agreements
• Ability to thrive and produce elite work product in high-pressure situations while managing numerous matters in multiple lines of business
• Ambition, tenacity, and willingness to stretch into new areas of law and business
• Ability to manage a cyclical deal calendar with ebbs and flows of activity
• Enthusiastic about the media and entertainment industry

Additional Information: 

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need.
• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other benefits and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. 
• Salary range: $140,000 - $170,000 (bonus and LTI eligible)

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.