Senior Director, Distribution Counsel, L&Ba

Work Locations: With the exception of some select roles that have in-office requirements, A+E Networks operates on a flexible model that allows for remote, hybrid or full time in office work (in certain locales).
Office locations include New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Stamford, CT.
Our list of eligible states in which employees may work remotely includes: California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Division Story
Our global Legal and Business Affairs department believes in the promise and power of teamwork. When we work together as a cohesive unit - supporting, involving, appreciating and respecting each other - we can elevate our company, our clients, and ourselves. At A+E Networks, we have built and developed a culture based on the principles of effective communication, collaboration, accountability and trust. These guiding principles serve as our north star as we partner and strategize with other departments across the Company to help A+E Networks achieve its goals and stay at the forefront of a highly competitive, rapidly changing industry. If you share these values and want to learn more about who we are and what we do, consider joining our team.
Job Description
Senior affiliate sales attorney providing legal and strategic support for U.S., Canadian and Caribbean distribution of 10 AETN networks (plus VOD and other ancillary products), including A&E, History and Lifetime, on cable, satellite, telco, and alternative technology platforms and content licensing agreements in the U.S.
Reporting to the VP and Associate General Counsel and head of legal distribution group, this Sr. Director, Distribution Counsel will work directly with the President of Distribution as well as the Distribution Sales and Marketing department, to negotiate and draft distribution agreements with major distributors (MVPDs and vMVPDs), and drive success in renewal and new deals.
Responsibilities: Sr. Director, Distribution Counsel

• Partner with L&BA distribution attorneys and senior distribution team to achieve maximum value and rights for A+E networks in sophisticated transactions from strategic deal development through drafting
• Negotiate legal distribution deal terms and rights for the linear networks, TVE, VOD, OTT, SVOD, FAST and digital across all platforms with particular responsibilities for set of accounts
• Draft, negotiate and advise the Global Content Sales and Licensing team in connection with various A+E content licensing agreements, including with other cable networks and broadcast syndication.
• Identify, analyze and advise on a variety of complex business, legal and regulatory matters connected to distribution, including MFN compliance
• Draft and lead execution of complex affiliate agreements on multiple platforms
• Assisting in overseeing legal administration of all AETN distribution agreements and annual renewals, audits and collections
• Some travel may be required

Requirements: Sr. Director, Distribution Counsel

• 10+ years relevant television/cable network legal distribution experience preferred. Must have had leadership role in large scale, comprehensive deals.
• General corporate law expertise and/or law firm experience a plus
• JD and New York State Bar Membership
• Strong intellect, analytical skills and strategic legal mind. Astute in identifying legal issues and rights in a quickly evolving market.
• Can confidently argue for positions with internal business team and work collaboratively to incorporate comments and concerns of business units into agreements.
• Can persuasively represent A+E positions with top distributors to successful deal conclusion.
• Outstanding interpersonal and communication to effectively work with A+E senior management and external distributor groups.
• Strong, detailed transactional contract drafting.
• Supervising and/or partnering with other distribution attorneys and paralegals.
• Managing complex MFN analyses and workflow volume
• Collaborative, positive, solution oriented, calm under pressure

Compensation
Annual Pay Range: $164,299 - $216,454
Annual Incentive Target: 20.00%
The annual/hourly pay range displayed serves as a good faith estimate of the
minimum and maximum base pay range for this role. Compensation for the role will
be based on a number of different factors such as a candidate's qualifications, skills,
competencies, location, and experience. A+E offers a competitive total compensation
package, which includes healthcare coverage, 401k matching, and a range of other benefits. Learn more at aenetworks.com/careers.
A+E Networks proudly provides equal employment opportunity for all employees and job applicants, and makes employment decisions consistent with this principle. The company's employment actions and decisions - including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, demotion, compensation, transfer, layoff, and termination - are made without regard to an employee's race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, sex (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, alienage or citizenship status, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, family and medical leave status, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
A+E Television Networks is a joint venture of the Hearts Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.
We are proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Disabled/Veterans.