GVP, Programming Acquisition Legal

JOB SCOPE

The GVP, Programming Acquisition Legal serves as the senior legal leader responsible for the Company's programming acquisition and content licensing legal strategy in support of the Programming Acquisition business team. This role provides executive-level legal counsel and strategic guidance in support of the Company's acquisition, distribution, and use of video programming across traditional and emerging platforms. Reporting to the SVP - Law, Programming, Product & Regulatory, this role will help shape and protect the Company's interests in complex programming relationships, advises on key legal and regulatory developments, and support business objectives through practical, risk-balanced counsel. Supporting a multi-billion-dollar expense category, this role emphasizes superior strategic drafting and contract construction skills and experience. This role also leads a team of legal professionals and helps develop legal strategy, policy, and positions related to programming and content distribution matters across the enterprise.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the lead legal advisor for the Company's programming acquisition and content licensing function, providing strategic counsel on matters that support business priorities and long-term enterprise objectives.
• Oversee legal aspects of highly complex and multifaceted programming transactions with major programming providers, including negotiating, drafting, and overseeing administration of company rights and obligations with respect to nationally-distributed broadcast and cable programming services and television broadcast stations on traditional and new media (e.g., TVE, OTT, streaming) platforms, both linear and on-demand, as well as video apps owned by such major programming providers that are included in the Company's video packages and sold to broadband subscribers.
• Provide advice and guidance to executives in Programming Acquisition and Product on the legal interpretation of the company's agreements with programmers
• Provide strategic advice and expert guidance to executives in Programming Acquisition and Product on policy, legal, and business implications of programmer contracts and relationships, as well as a wide variety of copyright and other legal issues implicated by distribution of content over existing and new technology platforms. Such advice and guidance will require a solid understanding of FCC regulations governing the distribution of video content over various platforms.
• Advise senior executives and business leaders on legal, contractual, regulatory, and policy issues related to the acquisition, carriage, distribution, and exploitation of programming content across linear, on-demand, streaming, and other evolving platforms.
• Lead legal strategy for complex programming relationships and negotiations involving networks, broadcasters, studios, sports leagues, streaming services, and other content providers.
• Provide guidance on key regulatory and legal frameworks affecting programming, including copyright, retransmission consent, carriage rights, and other rules governing video content distribution.
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders across Product, Regulatory, Compliance, Business Development, Marketing, Engineering, and other business functions to align legal strategy with operational and commercial objectives.
• Help develop and advance Company policy, legal positions, and strategic approaches relating to programming and content distribution matters.
• Support the Company's interests in connection with regulatory proceedings, disputes, and other matters affecting programming and content rights, working in collaboration with Regulatory, Government Affairs, Litigation, and other legal teams as appropriate.
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of legal professionals and oversee outside counsel in support of programming-related matters.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Required Skills/Abilities and Knowledge

• Significant experience in video programming, cable television distribution, retransmission consent, broadcast, digital media, and related regulatory matters.
• Deep knowledge of copyright law, FCC regulations, retransmission consent and "must carry" rules, and emerging video distribution technologies and platforms.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the ability to work across functional boundaries, build consensus and drive results
• Strategic thinking, communication skills, and the ability to influence at executive levels
• Superior drafting and contract construction skills and experience. Ability to operate with speed and proficiency in sometime high-pressure negotiation situations.
• Ability to multi-task and juggle the support of multiple simultaneous negotiations.

Required Education

• Juris Doctorate (top tier law school preferred)

Required Related Work Experience and Number of Years

• Legal experience at a top law firm - 10
• In-house legal experience in Cable or related industry - 5

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Preferred Skills/Abilities and Knowledge

• Experience handling multi-jurisdictional regulatory matters impacting video programming services.
• Experience interacting with governmental agencies and industry groups such as NCTA

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Office environment
• Must be able to work nights and weekends, as necessary