SVP, Legal Affairs

Company Description

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.

Job Description

The Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs will be involved in all aspects of motion picture legal affairs for Focus Features and Universal Pictures Content Group.  You will be primarily responsible for oversight of all drafting, risk management, and legal strategies and policies relating to development, talent, production, financing, acquisition, and negative pick-up agreements.  You will work closely with the senior executives in your businesses and other Legal teams across Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and NBCUniversal.  You will work in a fun and fast-paced environment for businesses producing and acquiring specialty films and other unique content for the global market.  This role will report to the General Counsel for NBCUniversal Studio Group.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Independently draft, review, negotiate and interpret a range of contracts and other legal documents including agreements for above-the-line talent, producers, production services and co-productions, and supervise others on such drafting and negotiation in consultation with Business Affairs and other senior executives.

• Analyze law and facts to provide concise and production-friendly advice regarding rights, liabilities, and overall risk management.
• Provide timely and thoughtful legal advice on potential risks and issues, and propose practical, responsive solutions.
• Structure, negotiate and draft a variety of complex, high-profile rights, development, production, financing, acquisition, and services deals.
• Manage all legal matters during production, including but not limited to evaluating rights/chain of title, clearance matters, guild issues, compliance, advertising, promotion, and publicity issues.
• Draft, review, analyze and interpret contracts in an accurate and timely manner and provide timely and thoughtful legal advice on potential risks and issues.
• Maintain relationships with attorneys, agents, and other representatives in the entertainment community.
• Advise and interface with a broad range of departments to implement production legal policies and procedures, including creative, business, production, finance, participations, labor and employment, marketing, promotions, litigation, intellectual property, compliance, privacy, real estate, insurance, and tax.
• Identify and implement improvements to forms and processes, including developing new processes for emerging media and technologies.
• Manage and support other lawyers and legal staff in a collaborative and communicative manner.
• Partner with executives in Focus Features and Universal Pictures Content Group, as well as NBCUniversal Legal colleagues, to drive policy around best practices and complex or novel legal issues and formulate new processes in connection with business needs.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Minimum of 15 years of production and acquisition legal experience at a motion picture or television company or major entertainment law firm.
• JD degree from an accredited law school.
• Member of the California State Bar or Registered with the California Bar as in-house counsel.
• A strong background in motion picture production and acquisitions is required.
• Experience managing a team, including attorneys.

Desired Characteristics:

• Experience leading teams in multiple