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.

The Associate Counsel – Distribution role will support the SVP-Distribution Legal with respect to the lines of business that are negotiated and managed by the Versant Distribution Sales & Partnership team:

• Distribution of the Versant portfolio of television networks - MSNBC, CNBC, USA, E!, Syfy, Golf, and Oxygen and related digital content to a wide range of companies, spanning MVPDs, virtual MVPDs, and OTT/streaming platforms.
• Distribution of Versant’s free ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels to connected TV and mobile device-associated platforms (e.g., The Roku Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Samsung TV Plus) as well as standalone FAST platforms (e.g., Tubi, Pluto TV, Plex).
• All other third-party distribution of Versant’s sports, news and entertainment content, as well as new partnerships and accretive transactions related to that content

In addition to drafting and negotiating agreements for the above, the Associate Counsel- Distribution role will be responsible for partnering with internal business units (e.g., marketing, finance) and their legal teams to align distribution priorities with companywide objectives as well as provide advice and ensure compliance with respect to current agreements.

Responsibilities:

• Draft, review and negotiate complex distribution agreements with distribution partners for the networks and FAST channels.
• Manage contract execution processes and monitor key deal terms.
• Provide concise, commercially sound legal advice to the Distribution Sales and Partnership team regarding deal structure and partner obligations, and compliance with, current and future agreements.
• Work cross-functionally with internal teams (marketing, privacy, finance, etc.) to ensure alignment with business priorities and maintain information flow.
• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of Versant’s products and services, the fast-changing television distribution landscape and the entertainment business generally.
• Maintain an awareness and understanding of the latest developments in law and technology as they relate to the distribution of media content, including privacy, ad tech, consumer functionality, security, and content windowing.

Qualifications/Requirements:   

• 3+ years of experience working on high-stakes contracts and their negotiation
• Law degree and member of a state bar in good standing
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions, IP transactions, content distribution, or other time-sensitive, high-stakes transactional work
• Strong foundational contract drafting and analytical skills, with the ability to develop quickly in a fast-paced legal department

Desired Characteristics:

• Demonstrated ability to provide clear, practical legal input to business partners, with an understanding of commercial context
• Ability to explain legal concepts and contract terms clearly and concisely to non-legal stakeholders
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal awareness and professionalism
• Strong attention to detail and sound analytical skills in reviewing and drafting legal agreements, with a practical mindset
• Ability to manage multiple matters under time pressure while maintaining high-quality work product
• Motivated, resilient, and willing to stretch into new areas of law and business with appropriate guidance
• • Comfort working within cyclical deal timelines, including periods of high intensity and slower cadence
• Genuine interest in the media and entertainment industry

Additional Information:

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week.
• Salary range: $100,000 - $120,000 (bonus eligible)

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

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, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.