Vp, Legal, Employment - News & Sports

Every great story has a new beginning, and yours starts here.
Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery... the stuff dreams are made of.
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
This position provides employment legal support and counseling for P&C and business leaders within Warner Bros Discovery. The role is primarily focused on supporting WBD's news and sports business units and operations and may support other client groups and initiatives within the WBD's global corporate functions and departments. This role works closely with the broader internal employment legal team to provide day-to-day advice and subject matter expertise across the full range of employee relations and other labor and employment issues across the US. In consultation with the international employment legal team, this role manages global initiatives and issues, including agreements for on-air talent and other sophisticated contract matters. This role is the lead employment lawyer for the news and sports business units and manages a team of paralegal and attorney staff, providing day to day management and strategic direction and prioritization. This role interprets the latest employment legislation and case law into practical, straight forward language to deliver workable solutions in a fast paced, dynamic global business environment. Delivers training on key legal matters within client groups.
Your Role Accountabilities

• Advice and counseling on labor and employment matters

• Analyzes, drafts, negotiates, and reviews a portfolio of several hundred complex executive and on-air talent agreements and provides legal support to WBD's contract administration team.

• Management of a team that includes a lawyer, paralegal, and group executive assistant

• Support for corporate initiatives and projects as needed and assigned, including restructuring reviews, policies, and harmonization initiatives.

• Employment legal support for employment disputes and litigation, including administrative charges and arbitration proceedings

• Ad hoc advice on labor relations matters focused on labor relations in a non-union environment.

Qualifications & Experience

• 12+ years of experience as a practicing labor and employment lawyer
• Experience in a global environment, preferably in media/news/sports
• Experience supervising or overseeing the work of other attorney(s)
• Juris Doctor
• Membership in the New York State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be registered as in-house counsel in New York State
• Knowledge of labor and employment law and the legal environment of the media industry sufficient to prepare legal documents, represent WBD in legal proceedings, and advise management
• Must be able to prepare, negotiate, and interpret complex agreements and other legal documents
• Must be able to research legal questions and to provide written and oral advice
• Must be able to supervise and evaluate legal, paralegal, and administrative subordinates
• Knowledge of labor relations issues in the media industry, particularly in unscripted/nonunion environments

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...
In compliance with local law, we are disclosing the compensation, or a range thereof, for roles in locations where legally required. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, skill set, experience, and/or performance. Base pay is just one component of Warner Bros. Discovery's total compensation package for employees. Pay Range: $196,000.00 - $364,000.00 salary per year. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition, Warner Bros. Discovery provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, paid holidays and sick time and vacation.
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, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.