VP/Sr. Counsel, Distribution

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

The VP/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 (MS NOW, 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 VP/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

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Minimum 7 years of experience for the Senior Counsel Level and 10 years of experience for the VP level 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