Vice President Legal Affairs, Universal Theatrical Group

NBCUniversal•New York, NY

40d•$200,000 - $280,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Universal Theatrical Group (UTG) is the live stage division of Universal Pictures. UTG develops, produces, and manages stage adaptations of Universal’s iconic films as well as original theatrical projects. UTG is seeking a senior attorney to join our team, reporting to the Head of Legal Affairs and supporting both the SVP of Creative & Business Affairs and the SVP of Finance & Operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to sit at the intersection of legal, creative, and operational work in a fast-paced theatrical environment. The Vice President Legal Affairs will work closely with senior executives to strategize, draft and negotiate a wide variety of agreements, ensure compliance with legal and tax requirements, and help bridge creative deal-making with financial and operational execution. A strong working knowledge of the theater industry and Broadway landscape—as well as a genuine love of live theater—is essential to thrive in this role. The ideal candidate must have leadership and management skills, the requisite aptitude to build relationships with and communicate effectively with high-level executives and significant business partners, and must be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team. Superior legal drafting skills, nimbleness in acquiring an understanding of diverse legal areas, experience in managing complex projects involving legal and non-legal employees, and substantial knowledge of the entertainment, and specifically theatre, business, are essential qualifications.

Requirements

A minimum of 10 years legal experience, at least 7 of which are in the entertainment and, preferably, theatre industry.
JD degree from an accredited law school.
Admittance to New York bar.
Superior drafting skills and ability to quickly process and understand new legal and business areas.
High aptitude in understanding financial and accounting matters.
Ability to operate independently while developing and maintaining strong and trusted relationships with leaders of other departments.
Demonstrated ability to communicate at all levels.

Nice To Haves

Significant law firm experience.
Aptitude for developing relationships with agents, talent lawyers, producers, and others directly involved in the theatre and relevant legal communities. Existing such relationships a plus.
Experience in managing high volume of projects.

Responsibilities

Providing legal counsel services for all aspects of development, production and licensing of Broadway and global versions of Universal stage properties.
Overseeing stage play production counsel responsibilities of department, including coordinating department coverage of all first-class production, collaborating with production general management concerning day-to-day personnel and vendor issues, negotiating talent deals at all levels, and otherwise overseeing day-to-day aspects of legal functions regarding Broadway and other Universal-produced and licensed stage productions.
Having primary responsibility for managing day-to-day legal relationships with key business partners, including serving as lead negotiator for major license agreements and, with business clients, business terms.
Building and enhancing high-level internal and external relationships with talent representatives, other producers, industry and key business partner executives and third-party producers and theatres licensing underlying rights in Universal properties.
Interacting with senior executives throughout the business unit to provide expert advice for theatre-related business and legal decisions and keeping them abreast of deal progress and other issues that impact areas of responsibility.
Working collaboratively with senior leadership to help establish policies and practices for the group and assist in management of the department.
Drafting all manner of agreements, including production and merchandise fabrication licenses, creative talent, personnel and consultant agreements, marketing releases, sponsorship, vendor and space agreements.
Partnering with financial, development and production departments to analyze talent and other business deals and project financial structures, and using proceeds of such work to negotiate deals with talent, licensees and partners.
Serving as primary liaison between Universal Theatrical team members and Universal legal subject-matter experts in various specific areas crucial to the business, including litigation, trademark, copyright, tax, immigration, music rights, data privacy and security, Americans with Disability Act compliance, anti-piracy and risk management.

Benefits

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.
Exposure to the full lifecycle of Broadway and touring theatrical productions.
Opportunity to work with senior executives across creative, legal, and financial areas.
A dynamic, collegial environment at the intersection of film and live theater.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume