AVP, Legal Counsel

POSITION SUMMARY 

DIRECTV is seeking an accomplished and strategic Associate Vice President, Legal Counsel to join our in-house legal team. In this role, you will lead and provide comprehensive transactional legal support across DIRECTV's media and entertainment business. You will serve as a key legal advisor and thought leader to senior leadership, driving complex transactions, managing legal risk, and contributing to the long-term strategic direction of the organization in a rapidly evolving industry.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Strategic Advisory

• Serve as a senior legal advisor across various business teams, including procurement, sales, customer service, engineering, and operations.
• Partner to shape legal strategy, policies, and priorities aligned with DIRECTV’s objectives.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior legal staff and paralegals within the legal department.
• Lead and manage outside counsel relationships, including oversight of legal spending, billing, and performance.

Transactional Law and Commercial Negotiations

• Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of complex, high-value agreements, including application and distribution agreements, affiliate agreements, technology and SaaS agreements, vendor and supplier contracts, and strategic partnership agreements.
• Develop and implement contract templates, legal playbooks, best practices, and standardized processes to improve efficiency and consistency across the legal function.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Advise senior leadership on regulatory and compliance matters specific to the pay-TV industry, including FCC regulations and consumer protection laws.
• Monitor and assess legislative and regulatory developments affecting the satellite television and streaming industries and proactively communicate implications to executive leadership.
• Ensure DIRECTV’s transactional activities remain in full compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with business units including content acquisition, product development, engineering, operations, sales, marketing, technology, finance, ad sales, customer service, and government affairs on strategic corporate initiatives.
• Act as a key liaison between the legal department and senior business leadership to ensure legal considerations and business risks are integrated into business decision-making at the highest levels.
• Protect DIRECTV’s valuable Intellectual Property with respect to licensing and development agreements.
• Support and contribute to enterprise-wide risk management and corporate governance initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school.
• Active bar admission in good standing.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive transactional legal experience, with a combination of law firm and in-house experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in complex negotiations of high-value, strategic transactions.
• Strong background in commercial contract drafting and negotiations within the media, entertainment, IP, app distribution, and/or technology sectors.
• Familiarity with FCC regulations and pay-TV industry compliance is a strong advantage.
• Proven ability to lead, manage, collaborate with teams, and prioritize multiple high-stakes matters in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex legal and business issues clearly to executive audiences.
• Strong business acumen, and a practical, solutions-oriented approach to legal and business issues.
• High level of integrity, sound judgment, teamwork, and the ability to influence and build consensus at all levels of the organization.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Experience supporting streaming platforms, OTT services, or digital media businesses at a senior level.
• Deep knowledge of intellectual property, legal risks, and contracts law.
• Exceptional contract drafting and negotiation skills.
• Experience managing and developing legal teams or junior attorneys.
• Proficiency with contract management systems and legal technology tools.
• Prior experience in a matrixed, large-scale corporate environment at the AVP level.

ABOUT DIRECTV

DIRECTV is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment services, delivering premium satellite and streaming television content to millions of customers throughout the United States. As the media landscape continues to evolve, DIRECTV remains committed to innovation, delivering exceptional content experiences, customer service, and building strategic partnerships that drive long-term growth.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive executive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• A seat at the table with senior leadership and executive decision-makers.
• Opportunity to lead high-impact transactions within a premier media and entertainment company.
• Flexible, work from home opportunity.
• Exposure to cutting-edge developments in streaming and media technologies.
• A collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing legal team culture.
• Significant opportunities for career advancement and professional development.

May require a background check due to job duties requiring routine access to DIRECTV and DIRECTV customer’s proprietary data. Qualified applicants with arrest and conviction will be considered for employment in accordance with local ordinances and state law.

This role requires but is not limited to 5% travel for legal team meetings, IOP, etc.

This is a remote position that can be located anywhere in the contiguous United States. #LI-Remote

A career with us comes with big rewards:

DIRECTV's compensation structure is designed to be market-competitive and fully supports efforts to attract and retain employees. It is the company's policy to offer pay that is competitive with other employers in the local market. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location.

The Base Salary range displayed below reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for each of DIRECTV's 4 (four) US Labor Market Zones. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

DIRECTV WAGE ZONES: $196,707 - $357,179

Low (N1): $196,707 - $295,061

Mid (N2): $207,060 - $310,590

High (N3): $227,766 - $341,649

Top (N4): $238,119 - $357,179

Click HERE to review information on some of the largest Designated Market Areas (DMAs). Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Please note that the salary ranges reflect base salary only and do not include bonus or benefits - when you consider all of these together, it represents a pretty impressive total compensation package.

Apply today!