VP & Assistant General Counsel | Commercial Deals + Legal Leadership | NYC (Hybrid)

Our client, a major media and content company, is adding a senior leader to its legal team as its strategic commercial business continues to scale.

This is a true second-in-command seat. You'll work hand in hand with the SVP who heads the commercial legal function, an outstanding executive who is deeply respected across the business and has built one of the strongest commercial legal teams in the industry. The SVP is looking for a partner to trust with real responsibility, not a subordinate. You'll take direct management of two senior counsels and split your time between two halves of the job:

The deal side. Leading complex transactions end to end, including licensing, technology, distribution, advertising, and marketing agreements with sophisticated counterparties. If you've been at the table on AI licensing or negotiations with big tech platforms, that experience will be put to immediate use.

The leadership side. Running budgeting and planning for the department, shaping Board-level materials, working directly with C-suite executives, flagging and escalating key risks, and mentoring senior legal talent.

Who tends to succeed in a role like this:

• An attorney with at least 15 years of broad IP, licensing, and commercial transactions experience, with steadily increasing responsibility
• Someone who has managed lawyers and delivered under pressure
• A strong operator with real legal ops instincts, including contract lifecycle management
• Prior experience as a deputy or chief of staff to a senior leader is a plus
• J.D. required; member in good standing of the New York bar, or eligible to waive in or register as NY in-house counsel

Nobody checks every box on day one. This team values learning agility and people who grow into the full scope of the seat.

Compensation: $250,000 to $300,000 base, plus annual bonus and equity. Hybrid, three days a week in Manhattan.