Associate Counsel

Educational Media Foundation - K-LOVE & Air1 • Franklin, TN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Chief Legal Officer, the Associate Counsel will provide legal support across various areas of the K-LOVE’s operations, including contract management, compliance, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, intellectual property, privacy, employment, risk management, training, and public relations. This position requires a high level of initiative, clear communication, and effective cross-functional collaboration with senior management, outside counsel, and internal parties. Success in this role will be measured by the ability to navigate complex legal matters, offer strategic insights, and foster strong relationships through servant leadership, cross-functional relationships, and strategic partnerships within the Ministry. A deep understanding and daily application of K-LOVE’s values, mission, and biblical principles are essential to effectively support and protect the K-LOVE’s interests in all legal matters
In addition, a VALUES FIT is top priority. Do our values align with yours? Mission, Beliefs & Values. If so, please read on.
Here’s just some of what you will be doing daily…

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate or similar degree from an accredited school of law. Bar admission must be obtained within 12 months of hire or as directed by the Chief Legal Officer.
• One or more years of legal experience involving research, drafting, policy review, or legal project work in areas such as corporate law, business transactions, or compliance. Foundational experience or demonstrated familiarity with legal areas such as contract management, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, employment law, or litigation. Knowledge of risk management practices, including developing internal policies and procedures to minimize and mitigate organizational risks.
• Experience in managing compliance with federal and state regulations. Specific experience with data privacy laws and security matters is a plus.
• Proven track record in negotiating and drafting contracts, including vendor, partnership, and sales agreements, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Ability to provide legal training to staff on legal issues, internal processes, and compliance matters, while fostering a culture of compliance within the organization.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build trust, collaborate effectively, and work cross-functionally with the legal team, senior management, outside counsel, and other stakeholders as team work is essential to success in this role.
• Must possess sound judgment regarding appropriate risk tolerance while effectively communicating risks to key stakeholders to drive expedient, thoroughly informed decisions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, ability to build trust and value others; communicate effectively; and collaborate with others.
• High level of integrity; demonstrated ability to work independently; establishing and meeting performance and Ministry goals.

Nice To Haves

• Specific experience with data privacy laws and security matters is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Contract management: Draft, review, and negotiate contracts across various domains, including real estate leases, technology contracts, and marketing agreements
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant regulatory laws and regulations, advising on matters related to industry-specific standards and corporate policies.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Provide legal support throughout the mergers and acquisitions process, including conducting due diligence and advising on structuring and documentation.
• Litigation: Oversee litigation matters, and manage and represent the Ministry in legal proceedings as necessary.
• Intellectual Property: Assist in managing, protecting, and enforcing the Ministry’s intellectual property, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights as well as representing the Ministry’s intellectual property rights in negotiations and matters with third-parties.
• Media: Provides legal advice and counsel on matters related to media and entertainment, including content creation, distribution, and legal compliance, involving pre-publication review of content, advising on defamation, privacy, copyright, and intellectual property issues, negotiating and drafting contracts, and providing legal education to internal teams as well as advise on the legal aspects of music licensing, including negotiating and drafting agreements with record labels, publishers, and other stakeholders.
• HR Partnership & Global Employment Practices: Partner with the HR team on global employment practices, employment handbook updates, compliance training, and new country expansion, and offer Ministry-wide partnership through legal guidance on a wide range of employment-related matters, including employee onboarding and offboarding, performance, and discipline, and interpretation and application of HR policies and procedures.
• Risk Management: Develop and implement internal policies and procedures to mitigate and manage legal and operational risks across the Ministry while exercising.
• Training: Design and deliver legal training sessions for staff, enhancing awareness of relevant legal issues and ensuring compliance across the Ministry.
• Public Relations: Serve as a liaison to internal and external stakeholders, including shareholders, regulators, and other key parties, ensuring clear and accurate communication.
• Privacy Program: Support the development, implementation, and maintenance of the Ministry’s privacy program to comply with applicable privacy laws and regulations.
• Collaboration with Outside Counsel: Work alongside external legal advisors, incorporating their recommendations into practical guidance for the Ministry, while integrating feedback from internal teams.
• Template and Process Development: Create and update contract templates and improve contracting processes to ensure efficiency and consistency across legal matters, and prioritize the creation of K-LOVE work product and document database that can be developed to scale Ministry-wide through leveraging your knowledge, skills, and ability.
• Legal Department Process Enhancement: Design, build, and improve legal department processes to enhance efficiency, compliance, and collaboration. Foster cross-functional collaboration by working closely with other counsel and various departments. Maintain an in-person presence to ensure effective communication and direct interaction, to meet Ministry needs and drive success.
• Legal Strategy Support: Provide counsel to cross-functional stakeholders and senior management, helping to define the legal strategy for new products, initiatives, and corporate ventures.
• Regulatory Strategy and Compliance: Develop and manage regulatory strategies at the federal and state levels, advising on specific state requirements and ensuring compliance.
• Subsidiary Management: Oversee legal matters related to the Ministry’s subsidiaries and affiliates, ensuring all legal aspects of expansion and management activities are properly addressed.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration and In-Office Work: Serve as a key support function by actively collaborating in-person with cross-functional teams across the Ministry. In-office presence and direct interaction with various departments are essential to ensure effective legal counsel, timely decision-making, and alignment with Ministry goals.

Benefits

• Industry leading Medical, Dental & Vision coverage
• Short/long term disability and life insurance
• Robust 401K with company match
• Parental leave with Baby Bonding pay
• Generous PTO, holiday and sick pay
• Unique company culture that includes exclusive access to concerts, movie premieres, media industry events, and more
• Leadership and Career Development Programs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree