Counsel Immigration, Americas

WWE•Stamford, CT

14h•Onsite

About The Position

WWE is the global leader in sports entertainment, creating and delivering original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, Premium Live Events, digital media, and publishing platforms. WWE's TV-PG programming can be seen in more than 1 billion households worldwide in more than 20 languages through world-class distribution partners including Netflix, ESPN, NBCUniversal, USA Network and The CW. WWE is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO). TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality. This position provides advice on Americas immigration strategy for employees, talent and other Americas immigration matters for assigned TKO businesses. It involves preparing applications for employees and talent for the Americas region, liaising with external counsel, and proactively managing and tracking visa milestones. The role also assists with responding to requests for evidence or immigration appeals, coordinates with TKO offices internationally regarding visa requirements, and oversees international visa processes for event tours. Internal updates on visa processing status are provided, and any concerns are escalated immediately when necessary. The role works closely with the global mobility team, provides guidance on business opportunities, advises on immigration aspects of mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, and advises on right to work requirements and prevention of illegal working for the Americas region, including I-9 compliance. It also assists with the creation and implementation of immigration compliance processes and policies, undertakes legal audit tasks, and ensures immigration case information is maintained on the INS ZOOM immigration platform. Training on immigration policies and programs is developed and conducted, and legal research is performed. The role leads and oversees immigration and paralegals for assigned TKO businesses in the Americas region, ensuring accurate and timely processing for events. Other legal group administrative tasks, including maintaining schedules and databases, preparing immigration forms and applications during high volume periods, and providing ad hoc support to the VP/Head of Global Immigration are also part of the responsibilities. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

US qualified lawyer who has worked in a commercial environment.
Strong knowledge of US immigration law and work authorization issues.
Working knowledge of immigration laws and work authorization issues for the Americas
Working knowledge of wider international immigration laws and work authorization issues (UK, EMEA, APAC regions)
10-15 years of experience in immigration matters, with previous experience in media, sport and entertainment immigration matters preferable.
Previous experience in global immigration matters, specifically with large international event tours is preferable.
Ability to effectively lead, manage and motivate a team of professional staff
Meticulous attention to detail.
Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary
Ability to prioritize a varied and heavy workload with the ability to plan ahead.
Able to work to deadlines with efficiency and accuracy.
Able to communicate clearly and concisely with stakeholders of all levels both internally and externally.
Ability to take responsibility and show initiative.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; must be able to interact with a range of personalities and styles in a fast-paced environment and explain complex concepts to clients and colleagues without legal knowledge and with limited time and patience.
Outstanding negotiation, drafting, analytical, and organizational skills.
A proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Nice To Haves

previous experience in media, sport and entertainment immigration matters preferable.
Previous experience in global immigration matters, specifically with large international event tours is preferable.

Responsibilities

Provide advice on Americas immigration strategy for employees, talent and other Americas immigration matters for assigned TKO businesses.
Prepare applications for employees and talent for the Americas region.
Liaise with external counsel on strategy and the preparation of applications for employees and talent.
Pro-actively manage and track visa milestones and manage the visa petition timeline.
Assist with responding to requests for evidence or immigration appeals.
Coordinate with TKO offices internationally regarding visa requirements for employees and talent and coordinate as appropriate with TKO international immigration team and/or external counsel.
Oversee and manage visa processes internationally for event tours and other ad hoc international events
Provide internal updates on the status of Visa processing.
Keep all relevant stakeholders informed of any delays in the Visa process.
Responsible for resolving any concerns regarding the Visa process and escalate to the Vice President, Head of Global Immigration immediately when necessary
Work closely with the global mobility team on employee moves worldwide.
Liaise with TKO businesses to provide commercial, pragmatic and salient advice and guidance on business opportunities.
Advise on immigration aspects of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures.
Advise the businesses on right to work requirements and prevention of illegal working for the Americas region, including I-9 compliance.
Assist with the creation and implementation of immigration compliance processes, including immigration policies.
Undertake and manage legal audit tasks, including the maintenance of documentation for inspection, including public access files.
Ensure immigration case information for assigned TKO businesses in the Americas region is maintained on INS ZOOM immigration platform.
Develop, implement and conduct training on immigration policies and programs to the businesses.
Conduct legal research.
Lead and oversee immigration and paralegals for the assigned TKO businesses in the Americas region, ensuring that all processing for their assigned events are completed accurately and timely.
Other legal group administrative tasks, including maintaining schedules and databases, preparing immigration forms and applications at times of high volume, and providing ad hoc support to VP/Head of Global Immigration.
Other duties as assigned.