Vice President​/Senior Counsel, Distribution

Overview

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. VERSANT is an independent, publicly traded company with powerhouse cable networks (USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW formerly MSNBC, Oxygen, E!,

SYFY, and Golf Channel) and dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Golf Now, Golf Pass, and Sports Engine. We deliver exceptional experiences across every screen and service, fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Job Description The VP/Senior Counsel – Distribution Legal will provide advice and support with respect to the negotiation and management of Versant’s distribution relationships for its portfolio of linear and digital properties. Primary responsibilities of the Distribution Sales & Partnership group are described below.

• Lead negotiation and structuring of complex distribution agreements with distribution partners for the networks and FAST channels.
• Support growth and distribution of digital assets (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, Golf Now, Golf Pass, and Sports Engine).
• Counsel the business on legal risk, rights management, regulatory issues, and compliance obligations associated with content and technology distribution.
• Collaborate with commercial teams to build and scale distribution frameworks, including templates, playbooks, and negotiation strategies.
• Partner with Versant business and legal personnel across the company to maintain deal alignment and information flow.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of the fast-changing television distribution landscape and the entertainment business.
• Maintain awareness of the latest developments in law and technology as they relate to distribution of media content, including privacy, ad tech, consumer functionality, security, and windowing of content.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to department executives to identify and resolve business and legal issues (including issues relating to contract interpretation).

• Minimum 7 years of experience for the Senior Counsel level and 10 years for the VP level, working on high-stakes contracts and their negotiation.
• Law degree and member of a state bar in good standing.
• Experience in media licensing and distribution transactions.
• Advanced drafting and contract interpretation skills, especially for multi-platform distribution ecosystems.

• Trusted legal advisor who provides business-facing, actionable, relevant and practical advice to both legal and business counterparts.
• Team player with emotional intelligence and collaborative energy; proactive leader who contributes to legal team process and development.
• Detail-oriented, practical analysis of legal agreements.
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure situations and manage numerous matters at once.
• Ambition, tenacity, and willingness to stretch into new areas of law and business.
• Ability to manage a cyclical deal calendar with ebbs and flows of activity.
• Demonstrated interest in entertainment and media.

• Willingness to work overtime and on weekends during key deals with short notice.
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States.
• Hybrid: typically from the office a minimum of three days per week.
• Salary ranges:
  Sr. Counsel $165,000 - $200,000; VP $200,000 - $240,000 (bonus and LTI eligible).
• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and other perks.

Legal & Equal Opportunity VERSANT Media provides 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, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact candida tea VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity.

All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via email or in any form without a valid written Statement of Work will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid if the candidate is hired through other means.