Legal Counsel - Programming

This is a virtual first position offered in Los Angeles, CA, or in the Pacific or Mountain Time Zone of the contiguous United States. #LI-Remote

POSITION SUMMARY 

DIRECTV is recruiting an experienced attorney to join its legal team in the dynamic and challenging area of content distribution. It is an incredibly exciting time, with new initiatives and opportunities calling for leaders who think strategically and creatively to push innovation in the business. The content-legal group is valued as an essential strategic player in building the future of DIRECTV’s business. Given the robust DIRECTV portfolio of products and assets, the work is complex and rewarding. This person has a seat at the table, great exposure throughout the company, and will make a difference in the business.

The attorney in this role will partner with the distribution team on a large volume of high-value deals and be responsible for structuring, negotiating, drafting, and finalizing content acquisition agreements, with a primary focus on retransmission consent agreements and associated issues.  In addition, this individual will run their own deals and partner with other attorneys in the content-legal group to cover a wide variety of content and programming rights including for networks, sports subscriptions, broadcast, major studio motion pictures, pay-per-view events, video-on-demand, and interactive and digital media content for DIRECTV’s DBS, OTT, and IPTV services, as well as, supporting DIRECTV’s content aggregation strategy. In addition to working with the distribution team on deals, this team and this individual will work cross-functionally with a range of departments (product, advertising, and marketing) to provide legal counsel. The group is a strong, collaborative team that works very well together and is a respected, contributing strategic partner to their internal business clients.

The ideal individual for the role has both the intellect for and the desire to be in a business that fully embraces change and is constantly pushing to disrupt itself in all areas. The right individual will be someone who is looking for a place that is about innovation and has assembled the resources to make it happen. Given the scope of products and platforms, the mentality surrounding change and innovation, and the level of talent throughout the organization, this offers a career-building opportunity like few others.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Partner with the retransmission consent team content to develop strategy, deal structure, desired rights, and protections for retransmission consent and related agreements.

• Critically evaluate complex agreements. Clearly identify issues and opportunities to optimize DIRECTV’s position.
• Negotiate and draft retransmission consent agreements as well as agreements digital media rights, SVODs, direct-to-consumers.
• Work cross-functionally with the finance, marketing, engineering, product, content, and digital entertainment groups on business, legal, and regulatory matters. Identify, analyze, and interpret potential legal issues. This encompasses considering revenue, pricing and packaging of new products, and other strategic initiatives.
• Prepare and present legal point of view and counsel to senior management, including DIRECTV’s Chief Content Officer and Chief Legal Officer.
• Work closely with the content team in the administration of all distribution agreements including audits, MFN analyses, and contract compliance.
• Periodically work with outside counsel on distribution matters, FCC compliance, and antitrust issues.
• Contribute to the development of other attorneys and staff. 
• Utilize AI tools in day-to-day activities for drafting analysis while understanding the limitations and deficiencies of AI tools.

BACKGROUND REQUIREMENTS

• Strong academic credentials from a highly recognized law school.
• Holds themselves to high professional standards; unquestionable integrity.
• High-volume transactional experience with a top tier law firm and content/programming acquisitions with a major studio, programmer, media company, and/or content distribution organization. At least 5 years of applicable content experience required.
• Preferred experience in retransmission consent negotiations.
• Experience with interactive and digital content distribution is highly preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of industry trends, technologies, and emerging platforms.
• Excellent communication skills, written and oral. Experience presenting to senior executives.
• Demonstrated ability to positively and proactively identify, prioritize, and address legal issues quickly and effectively. Proven negotiation skills and outstanding drafting abilities.
• Highly organized and ability to multi-task and manage multiple high-caliber deals with tight deadlines.
• Experience using or willingness to learn AI tools for day-to-day legal tasks.

IMPORTANT CHARACTERISTICS FOR SUCCESS

• Strong intellect, EQ and balanced ego. Collaborative team member who quickly earns the respect of colleagues.
• Passion to excel in a fast-paced, demanding environment. Self-starter who can successfully work independently as well as in partnership in a highly dynamic and demanding environment.
• Flexible and solution-oriented approach in responding to client needs and goals.
• Track record of working well under pressure, sustaining motivation through long negotiation cycles and even-keeled temperament even in what can become contentious negotiations.

May require a background check due to job duties requiring routine access to DIRECTV and DIRECTV customer’s proprietary data. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction will be considered for employment in accordance with local ordinances and state law.

This is a virtual first position offered in Los Angeles, CA, or in the Pacific or Mountain Time Zone of the contiguous United States. #LI-Remote

This role requires a willingness to travel, occasionally for a week+ during content negotiations. Expected to be in office during the final weeks of content negotiations, legal team get togethers, and company in person events. Total travel is approximately 6 – 8 weeks per year.

A career with us comes with big rewards:

DIRECTV's compensation structure is designed to be market-competitive and fully supports efforts to attract and retain employees. It is the company's policy to offer pay that is competitive with other employers in the local market. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location.

The Base Salary range displayed below reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for each of DIRECTV's 4 (four) US Labor Market Zones. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

DIRECTV WAGE ZONES: $178,852 - $324,697

Low (N1): $178,852 - $268,228

Mid (N2): $188,265 - $282,345

High (N3): $207,092 - $310,580

Top (N4): $216,505 - $324,697

Click HERE to review information on some of the largest Designated Market Areas (DMAs). Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the salary ranges reflect base salary only and do not include bonus or benefits - when you consider all of these together, it represents a pretty impressive total compensation package.

Apply today!

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