Senior Counsel, Privacy

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

As a key member of the Legal Privacy team, this role will enable our business to develop and execute innovative data-driven strategies in accordance with data privacy and related laws. The successful candidate will effectively partner cross-functionally to provide expert and pragmatic counseling to senior leaders and provide leadership and subject matter expertise to drive the implementation of Versant's data privacy and information security programs. This role offers the unique opportunity to build the privacy and data security operations of a newly formed media company.

Job Description

• Partner closely with cross-functional teams to assess potential privacy and security risks and regulatory requirements for Versant’s products, services and technologies.
• Counsel business and technology teams on privacy issues regarding the development of products, platforms, services and other initiatives involving the collection and use of personal information, with a focus on consumer data and related advertising and marketing use cases.
• Assist in the counseling of digital properties, including consumer facing websites, mobile applications, and related internal databases with respect to privacy issues.
• Provide legal oversight and guidance, as needed, related to privacy products including the Consent Management Platform and Individual Rights Request portal and associated processes, as well as other privacy tools, including marketing consents, children’s data and viewing protections, and data dormancy and retention processes.
• Stay current on evolving global data protection and privacy laws, developments, and frameworks as well as other laws with an impact on the processing of personal information (especially emerging Al regulations) and provide practical and strategic advice to the business.
• Review and assist in developing privacy controls with respect to privacy impact assessments, including privacy -related notices, policies, guidelines, standards and processes.
• Work closely with business, technology, information security, customer experience to establish relationships and deliver consistent, practical legal guidance and support.
• Help develop and scale our privacy program.
• Draft and help maintain domestic and international privacy and data policies, standards, and processes.
• Review and maintain records of processing activities; conduct various privacy assessments (e.g., PIAs, LIAS, DPIAS).
• Review/draft a variety of privacy agreements, including data processing agreements.
• Develop and provide privacy training to other legal and business partners.
• Monitor, analyze, and provide legal advice on emerging cybersecurity laws and industry frameworks.
• Support incident management and collaborate closely with security function.
• Review and support the negotiation of contractual documents related to cybersecurity.
• Manage regulatory reporting and registration requirements under new cybersecurity laws.
• Conduct risk assessments and provide guidance on mitigating cybersecurity risks.
• Manage outside counsel advice.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Law degree and member of US state bar in good standing Minimum of 8 years of experience with a law firm and/or corporate legal department advising on privacy matters
• Experience negotiating commercial transactions and counseling clients with respect to privacy and information security issues
• In-depth knowledge of privacy laws including CCPA, CPRA, GDPR, HIPAA, COPPA, TCPA and VPPA, best practices, frameworks, and self-regulatory models in U.S. and abroad, including data protection, data retention, data security, and data breach rules.
• Knowledge of consumer, advertising and marketing technology and privacy related industry standards such as the DAA, NAI, and IAB preferred Experience in media and entertainment a plus
• Prior experience drafting and negotiating privacy and data protection agreements and terms, and serving as the consulting privacy subject matter expert for attorneys working across different verticals.
• Prior experience managing the day-to-day operational aspects of an enterprise privacy program, such as DSR, data mapping, vendor due diligence, and privacy impact assessments; familiarity with leading privacy technology platforms such as OneTrust a plus.
• Displays an understanding of data flows and the associated privacy implications in relation to DTC platforms, marketing, advertising and AdTech.
• Technical background with experience in software development or engineering a plus.
• Excellent drafting, negotiating, problem solving, and communications skills
• Ability to multitask and work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to formulate creative solutions to accomplish business objectives
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Strong work ethic
• Good natured team player

Additional Requirements

Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need. 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.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT'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.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. We include a good faith pay range for each position to comply with applicable state and local pay transparency laws and to promote equity across our organization. Actual compensation will be based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, experience, and location and may include additional forms of compensation and benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc.