Hybrid Senior Counsel, Distribution

at The Walt Disney Company

• Job title: Senior Counsel, Distribution
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $174,600 - $225,800 per year
• Degree requirement: Professional Certificate
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Santa Monica, United States

About the role

• Senior Counsel supporting content distribution licensing agreements for Disney's streaming platforms. Leading negotiations, providing legal counsel, and collaborating with stakeholders for innovative content distribution.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations and draft industry-first content distribution and licensing agreements with programmers.
• Provide strategic legal counsel to the Content Partnerships team and cross-functional stakeholders to support the growth and management of Disney’s direct-to-consumer content offerings.
• Partner closely with executives and deal teams throughout all phases of distribution and licensing transactions.
• Serve as a primary legal point of contact for cross functional teams on assigned deals, translating contractual requirements into practical guidance and helping drive consensus across legal, content, product, and operations.
• Exercise independent legal judgment on key initiatives, prepare recommendation memos for senior legal and business stakeholders and flag key matters for escalation as appropriate.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of legal experience.
• Experience negotiating and drafting content distribution, carriage, and/or licensing agreements (e.g., in-house counsel at a major television network, MVPD, digital MVPD, or law firm candidates representing such clients).
• Experience at a television network, MVPD or law firm focusing on distribution/TV carriage and other complex commercial transactions is highly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with senior executives and cross functional teams, from both a business and legal perspective.
• Strong understanding of direct-to-consumer streaming platforms, media distribution, and related technology considerations.
• Proven ability to work proactively and independently, manage multiple matters simultaneously, and deliver high-quality legal advice under tight timelines.

Benefits

• A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.