Senior Counsel - Legal, Technology and Commercial

Key Skills

Analytical and Problem solving, AWS, CNNs, Docker, JavaScript, Kubernetes-K8s, NumPy, R Programming

Job Description

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role

The Warner Bros. Discovery legal department is searching for an experienced commercial and technology transactional lawyer.

Based in London, this position will be part of the Technology and Commercial division of the legal team providing comprehensive and proactive legal support across the international businesses of Warner Bros. Discovery underlying its world-renowned brands including Warner Bros., HBO and HBO Max, Discovery and discovery+, TNT Sports, Eurosport, CNN, TNT, DC Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and more.

The successful applicant will draft and negotiate a broad range of commercial and technology contracts in close contact with other legal teams. The team has particular focus on supporting Enterprise Technology & Operations (ET&O), digital products, TNT Sports, Olympics and sports events operations, M&A activities, finance & tax and other business critical functions.

The role involves close liaison with the relevant commercial stakeholders and providing legal advice to the business on a wide range of issues as well as occasional dispute resolution management.

Role Accountabilities

• Drafting and negotiating technology related agreements, including software and technology license/development agreements, SaaS agreements, consulting services agreements and statements of work

• Providing strategic legal advice and counsel on a variety of production, licensing, intellectual property, commercial and other legal topics

• Areas supported in the ET&O and digital product business lines include technology and operations infrastructure and data platforms that support our theatrical and television studio productions; linear broadcasting; digital brands; direct-to-consumer and streaming platforms; software and application licensing and development; data science and data strategy; distribution technologies (digital/physical); production and post-production technologies; media supply chain (content workflow and management); enterprise systems and solutions; IT and telecoms; information security and data privacy; digital and linear advertising sales technology; payment processing technologies; emerging technology and innovations lab; and more

• Working closely with and supporting WBD Sports in respect of the Olympic Games, TNT Sports and other sports events and the related production, distribution, logistics, studio and technology requirements and projects

• Other support areas include:

• supporting the M&A and Corporate Development teams on services, systems, consolidation and integration related elements of transactions.

• supporting the finance and tax teams with cap- leasing arrangements, intercompany transfer-pricing agreements, group-wide intragroup projects;

• supporting the People & Culture, PR & Marketing teams, Ad Sales and Ad Tech teams, global Company Secretarial with ad-hoc tasks and bespoke commercial arrangements

• Creating and maintaining standardised template agreements for key service areas and updating legal know-how

• Coordinating legal matters with other internal divisions and/or outside counsel and implementing best practices

• Resolving legal queries of a varied nature and providing overall advice relating to all aspects of television broadcasting/distribution/programming across the international region

Qualifications & Experience

• Must be UK (or comparable jurisdiction) qualified lawyer - excellent academics; training and experience at top law firm

• 6+ years of technology transactional experience at a reputable law firm and/or comparable in-house experience

• Excellent understanding of contract law principles and excellent drafting skills. Company law and data privacy experience is an advantage;

• Negotiation skills must be proven – to deliver both proper legal protection to the company and excellent commercial results.

• Substantive work in and knowledge of the technology industry; experience in the entertainment or media industries preferred

• Excellent academic credentials and references

Superior drafting and negotiating skills

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, must be collaborative and team oriented

A strategic thinker and highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment and juggle competing priorities effectively

Strong analytical and organisational skills and great attention to detail

Excellent judgement and decision-making skills, and the ability to interact productively with other lawyers and staff, in-house client groups and outside counsel

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

The Legal Bits…

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you need a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for this position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.