SVP, Commercial Contracts & Special Projects Counsel

Job Description

Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate General Counsel (AGC), the SVP, Commercial Contracts & Special Projects Counsel is a senior deputy responsible for two primary functions. The primary function (80%) is to take full operational ownership of the commercial contracts legal team and its processes. This includes leading the client contract negotiations, managing the contract pipeline, implementation of new contract lifecycle processes and technologies like AI, and serving as the functional leader for the contracts team to drive speed and efficiency. The secondary function (20%) is to provide hands-on legal support on non-contractual corporate matters as a direct partner to the AGC. This includes acting as an expert advisor on sensitive employment law issues, managing pre-litigation disputes and legal process/litigation, and executing on other special legal projects as needed.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Commercial Leadership (Primary Focus - 80% of Role):

• Operational & Negotiation Leadership: Assume full ownership of the commercial contracts pipeline from intake to execution. Act as the definitive operational leader and final escalation point for the contracts team, while also serving as the primary contract negotiator for the most complex client and vendor deals.
• Process & Technology Transformation: Lead the strategic transformation of the commercial contracting function. This leader will architect a more efficient, end-to-end contracting workflow, oversee the development and maintenance of standardized templates and playbooks, and drive the implementation of new technology (including AI) with the explicit goal of materially reducing contract cycle times.

Special Projects & Corporate Counsel (Secondary Focus - 20% of Role):

• Strategic Advisory Support: Serve as a key advisor and execution partner to the AGC on a variety of high-priority corporate legal matters as they arise, providing hands-on support under the AGC's direction, including sensitive employment law issues, investigations, and policy matters as well as pre-litigation disputes, legal process (e.g., subpoenas, demands, litigations), compliance inquiries, and other risk mitigation projects as delegated by the AGC.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job manages both Vice President, Senior Counsel roles.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• 12-15+ years of legal experience, with a clear emphasis on leading high-volume commercial contracting functions in a fast-paced in-house environment.
• Demonstrated mastery of complex commercial contract negotiation is the primary qualification for this role.
• Proven experience as a "builder" who has successfully re-engineered legal processes and implemented new technology.
• Sufficient experience as a corporate generalist to be a credible partner on a range of issues, with particular experience in employment law preferred.
• High level of executive presence, business acumen, collaborative and customer-focused mentality and the ability to lead by influence and direct authority.

Certificates, licenses and registrations

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and a Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school. Candidate must be a member in good standing of the New York State Bar. 

Physical Activity and Work Environment

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.

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Horizon Media is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.  We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.

Salary Range

A successful applicant’s actual base salary may vary based on factors such as individual’s skill sets, experience, training, education,  licensure/certifications, and qualifications for the role.  As an organization, we take an aptitude and competency-based hiring approach.  We provide a competitive total rewards package including a discretionary bonus and a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement savings plans, company paid holidays and unlimited paid time off (PTO), mental health and wellness resources, pet insurance, childcare resources, identity theft insurance, fertility assistance programs, and fitness reimbursement.