Sr. 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 Senior Counsel – Distribution Legal role will provide advice and support with respect to the negotiation and management of Versant’s distribution relationships for its portfolio of linear and digital properties.  Primary responsibilities of the Distribution Sales & Partnership group are:

• Distribution of the Versant portfolio of television networks, including the NBC and Telemundo owned television stations, national cable 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, FreeVee, 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 these agreements, the Senior Counsel – Distribution Legal role 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:

• Lead negotiation and structuring of complex distribution agreements with distribution partners for the networks and FAST channels.
• Support growth and distribution of digital assets (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine).
• Counsel the business on legal risk, rights management, regulatory issues, and compliance obligations associated with content and technology distribution.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to build and scale distribution frameworks, including templates, playbooks, and negotiation strategies.
• Partner with Versant business and legal personnel across the company to maintain deal alignment and information flow.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the fast-changing television distribution landscape and the entertainment business.
• 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 windowing of content.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to department executives to identify and resolve business and legal issues (including issues relating to contract interpretation).

Qualifications/Requirements:  

• Minimum 7 years of experience working on high-stakes contracts and their negotiation
• Law degree and member of a state bar in good standing
• Experience in media licensing and distribution transactions
• Advanced drafting and contract interpretation skills, especially for multi-platform distribution ecosystems

Desired Characteristics:

• Trusted legal advisor who can comfortably provide business-facing, actionable, relevant and practical advice to both legal and business counterparts.
• A team player who brings emotional intelligence and collaborative energy to the table.  Proactive leader who contributes to legal team process and development.
• Excellence at detail-oriented, yet practical, analysis of legal agreements.
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure situations and manage numerous matters at once.
• 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.
• Demonstrated interest in entertainment and media.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Willingness to work overtime and on weekends during key deals with short notice.
• Must be willing to work in New York, NY.
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.
• Must be covered by Solutions, NBCU’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

Additional Information:

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.
• 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 discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.
• Salary range: $165,000 - $200,000 (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.