VP Legal and Business Affairs

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. 

Here you can be your authentic self. As a company uniquely positioned to educate, entertain and empower through our platforms, Comcast NBCUniversal stands for including everyone. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives, coupled with our Corporate Social Responsibility work, is informed by our employees, audiences, park guests and the communities in which we live. We strive to foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture where our employees feel supported, embraced and heard. Together, we’ll continue to create and deliver content that reflects the current and ever-changing face of the world.  

The Vice President, Legal and Business Affairs will serve as a legal point of contact and provide legal support for IP rights acquisition and clearance matters on behalf of Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) theme parks and new location-based entertainment (LBE) ventures.  The Vice President will provide guidance to legal team members supporting such matters at Universal’s theme parks, including at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH) and at Universal Orlando (UO).  The Vice President will also be responsible for reviewing, drafting, negotiating and interpreting a range of contracts, including IP licensing agreements, complex commercial contracts, marketing and co-promotion agreements and other legal documentation, as well as counseling on commercial IP, IP clearance and risk management, talent and studio entertainment matters, while managing, as needed, other UDX legal team members in support of these efforts.  The role will report to the Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs-Licensing.  The Vice President will also partner with other senior legal executives at UO and USH in overseeing this function.

Responsibilities/Job Duties:

• Advise on IP/rights acquisition and clearance matters, including overseeing projects involving legal analysis relating to the status of rights, obligations and restrictions involving ancillary IP uses of film, television and other content properties, chain-of-title review and guidance, preparation and negotiation of IP/rights clearance and licensing documentation, counseling on talent likeness, right of publicity, guild and other relevant third party issues, in support of UDX’s theme parks and new LBE ventures
• Provide guidance to legal team members at Universal’s existing parks, including UO and USH, in connection with the foregoing matters
• Counsel clients on IP clearances, approvals, contractual obligations and other commercial IP requirements in connection with marketing and themed entertainment activations at UDX’s theme parks and new LBE venues
• Draft, review, negotiate and interpret a range of contracts and other legal documents, including IP licensing agreements, complex commercial contracts, marketing and co-promotion agreements and other related contracts, while managing other legal team members, as needed, in furtherance of such efforts on behalf of UDX’s theme parks and new LBE ventures
• In coordination with NBCUniversal legal experts and outside counsel, provide timely and thoughtful advice on potential legal risks and complex IP issues, and propose practical, responsive solutions to mitigate any such risks and to manage any such issues (including those involving potential infringement claims, enforcement matters, contractual disputes and litigation)
• Participate in the drafting of policies and procedures and the development of training materials, as well as the identification and implementation of improvements to existing forms and processes
• In collaboration with other senior UDX legal and business affairs executives, advise and coordinate with other UDX executives from a broad range of departments to identify and resolve IP/rights business and legal issues, and to provide ongoing advice and support on key initiatives and projects
• Manage special projects, research and monitor applicable U.S. and international laws, regulations and policies, and supervise other legal team members in support of such efforts

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: $200k-$280k (Bonus Eligible)

• JD or LLM degree from a top-tier accredited law school
• Active member in good standing of the California State Bar, or willingness and qualification to be registered in-house counsel
• Minimum of ten to fifteen years of entertainment and intellectual property law experience at a major law firm or at a comparable studio or corporation
• Proven experience with theatrical feature film and major television studio rights acquisition, development and above-the-line talent and other production agreements, and familiarity with customary conditions, obligations and restrictions arising from such agreements
• Deep substantive knowledge of copyright, right of publicity, music and other related IP laws, and relevant expertise in assessing and managing risks in connection with ancillary exploitation of major motion picture and television properties
• Demonstrated IP licensing and commercial contracts experience, including know-how in contract interpretation, negotiation and drafting
• Strong understanding of and experience with intellectual property litigation and claim, IP clearance matters, guild issues, international transactions, and content production, advertising and promotion matters
• Willingness to work nights and, if needed, on weekends
• Ability to travel periodically, both domestically and internationally

Desired Characteristics:

• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Strong analytical capabilities and sound business judgment
• Proven ability to work proactively, independently and reliably under tight timeframes in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work collaboratively cross-functionally, to establish effective relationships at all levels of the organization, and to represent UDX with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent organizational skill and attention to detail, including the ability to quickly and accurately maintain and keep records
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts to business and creative executives, build consensus across business units, think creatively and collaborate with other executives to address business needs

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. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.

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