Sr. Counsel, Employment Law and News Talent Contracts - job 1 of 2

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

This role will provide strategic and practical legal counsel to the Company’s Human Resources professionals and business executives regarding employment and benefit laws and support the overall employment legal group, as well as negotiate and draft employment agreements.  This will be a key role as we build a legal employment group for a newly formed media company; Versant. 

Job Duties 

• Advise and counsel senior management, Human Resources and Versant business lawyers in varied business units with respect to all employment law issues, including: business restructuring, employment policy development and application, worker classification, workforce management, discrimination and harassment claims, family and medical leave laws, restrictive covenants, wage-and-hour and workplace safety, and pay equity 
• Oversee, conduct and provide counsel on internal investigations of employment-related and other types of complaints, ensuring that claims are addressed promptly, thoroughly and appropriately 
• Provide legal support in connection with the design, implementation, and administration of employee health, welfare and benefit plans
• Represent Versant, in collaboration with other Versant and outside counsel as appropriate, with respect to mediation and litigation of employment claims, as well as the employment-related aspects of business acquisitions and dispositions 
• Draft mediation briefs, settlement and separation agreements, as well as federal, state and local agency position statements and responses 
• Draft and negotiate executive and talent employment contracts 
• Create and deliver training on timely employment law topics to management, Human Resources and business lawyers 
• Lead, manage and support enterprise-wide employment law project teams 
• Manage investigations, legal claims, performance management and other employment law cases in web-based case management system 
• Stay current on developments in employment and employee benefits law, including legislative and regulatory changes. 

Requirements 

• Law degree from an accredited law school 
• Member in good standing of the State Bar of California or New York, or member in good standing of another State Bar and registered as in-house counsel 
• Minimum of 7 years of employment law experience 
• Must be willing to work in New York City or Universal City corporate offices
• Employment-related production experience a plus 
• Entertainment and media experience a plus 
• Excellent communication skills 
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach 
• Ability to identify, prioritize and resolve legal issues quickly and effectively 
• Ability to approach complex legal scenarios in a thoughtful and analytical fashion 
• Ability to explain complex legal concepts, build consensus, think creatively and collaborate with clients to address business needs 
• Ability to build relationships across a large organization 
• Familiarity with web-based case management systems 

Additional Requirements 

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on Manager discussion or business need.

• This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website. Salary: $165,000 - $200,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

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

NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable.

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].

Although you'll be hired as an NBCU employee, your employment and the responsibilities associated with this job likely will transition to Versant in the future. By joining at this pivotal time, you'll be a part of this exciting company as it takes shape.