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DreamWorks Animation · 3 hours ago

Vice President Legal Affairs, Universal Theatrical Group

New York, NY

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$200K/yr - $280K/yr

10+ years exp

DreamWorks Animation is part of NBCUniversal, a leading media and entertainment company. The Vice President of Legal Affairs for Universal Theatrical Group will provide legal counsel for stage adaptations, negotiate agreements, and manage legal relationships in a dynamic theatrical environment.

AnimationFilmMedia and Entertainment

Growth Opportunities

Responsibilities

Providing legal counsel services for all aspects of development, production and licensing of Broadway and global versions of Universal stage properties

Overseeing stage play production counsel responsibilities of department, including coordinating department coverage of all first-class production, collaborating with production general management concerning day-to-day personnel and vendor issues, negotiating talent deals at all levels, and otherwise overseeing day-to-day aspects of legal functions regarding Broadway and other Universal-produced and licensed stage productions

Having primary responsibility for managing day-to-day legal relationships with key business partners, including serving as lead negotiator for major license agreements and, with business clients, business terms

Building and enhancing high-level internal and external relationships with talent representatives, other producers, industry and key business partner executives and third-party producers and theatres licensing underlying rights in Universal properties

Interacting with senior executives throughout the business unit to provide expert advice for theatre-related business and legal decisions and keeping them abreast of deal progress and other issues that impact areas of responsibility

Working collaboratively with senior leadership to help establish policies and practices for the group and assist in management of the department

Drafting all manner of agreements, including production and merchandise fabrication licenses, creative talent, personnel and consultant agreements, marketing releases, sponsorship, vendor and space agreements

Partnering with financial, development and production departments to analyze talent and other business deals and project financial structures, and using proceeds of such work to negotiate deals with talent, licensees and partners

Serving as primary liaison between Universal Theatrical team members and Universal legal subject-matter experts in various specific areas crucial to the business, including litigation, trademark, copyright, tax, immigration, music rights, data privacy and security, Americans with Disability Act compliance, anti-piracy and risk management

Qualification

Legal experienceTheater industry knowledgeJD degreeNew York bar admissionSuperior drafting skillsRelationship buildingProject managementIndependenceCommunication skillsTeam collaboration

Required

A minimum of 10 years legal experience, at least 7 of which are in the entertainment and, preferably, theatre industry

JD degree from an accredited law school

Admittance to New York bar

Preferred

Significant law firm experience

Aptitude for developing relationships with agents, talent lawyers, producers, and others directly involved in the theatre and relevant legal communities. Existing such relationships a plus

Experience in managing high volume of projects

Superior drafting skills and ability to quickly process and understand new legal and business areas

High aptitude in understanding financial and accounting matters

Ability to operate independently while developing and maintaining strong and trusted relationships with leaders of other departments

Demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels