Position: Lead Counsel - Sports (Band E1)

Reporting into: Senior Lead Counsel - Networks, StudioNext and Corporate

Business/Function: Legal and S&P

Location: Mumbai

Purpose/Overview of the role:   

Reporting to the Senior Lead Counsel - Networks, StudioNext and Corporate, the incumbent will be responsible for providing legal support to the sports business across television and digital at Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited (formerly known as Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited) and anti-piracy initiatives of the network.

Key Result Areas:

• Sports Licensing: The full cycle of management of a sports property right from the time of negotiation of commercials and counsel business teams in such negotiations, drafting of contracts and negotiations with the counter party lawyers, management of contractual compliances of the sports property, liaising with the various departments to ensure contractual compliances and commitments are made. Incumbent is expected to have 360 degrees understanding of the sports rights and licensing. Assist and advice the business and/ or commercial teams with insights and structuring of the complex deals.
• Brand Advisory: advise the sales, brand solutions, programming and other teams with the monetization elements in our MRA. give opinions/advise to various departments to ensure compliance with guidelines, best practices and accurate rights exploitation. advise the OAP and marketing teams about our marketing and promotional rights under the MRA. Ensure that sales team is apprised of the ROFR terms applicable to each acquisition arrangement
• Channel business support: Timely drafting, negotiation and execution of contracts pertaining to production of programs, talent hiring, Marketing, Digital Marketing OAP, Programming, IT, Logistics, Ad Sales, contest terms and conditions, privacy policies, terms of usage of websites and likewise; drafting and negotiating low to high complexity contracts for the foregoing aspects of the channel business by providing legal inputs, advisories and rendering services through the contractual process. Drafting, negotiating and reviewing of various sports acquisition and syndication agreements.
• Bid Submission: Assist in bid submission in connection with major sports acquisitions. Review IT T&Cs which shall include sharing summaries, drafting clarifications, collating documents required for the bid submission after coordinating with the relevant stakeholders for the required information.
• Processes and Systems: Managing, implementing various systems and processes for the better functioning of various verticals within the organization including online contract requisition system, Master Data Management Project, Contract Lifecycle Management System, Contractual Matrix, rights management grid and others.  Templatization of important agreements.
• Document management: Proper and timely recordkeeping of all the documents executed in the applicable folders as per the nomenclature agreed within the organization.

• Anti-Piracy: Initiating and setting up anti-piracy monitoring processes for IP infringement, drafting and issuance in a timely manner notices for any infringements and John Doe for protection of the company’s IP. Co-ordinating with internal stakeholders to ensure reporting of infringements and timely take downs. 
• Engaging, learning, and winning the confidence for handling medium to high complexity contracts.
• To provide contracting and legal support for new initiatives and special projects of the company.
• To ensure due adherence to legal policies and processes by business team and address any gaps or difficulties in its implementation.
• To mitigate risks and proactively protecting the company’s interest and assets.
• Assist in providing accurate, effective, and timely legal advice, analysis and support on commercial and contractual matters considering the commercial environment.
• Assist in the development of best practice with regards to the legal aspects of commercial and contractual matters entrusted.
• Assist in creating contractual briefs for seniors, management, and external counsel.
• To liaise with intra departments of the company w.r.t. commercial and contractual matters where appropriate to ensure that all relevant legal issues are identified, and appropriate support is provided.
• Influence and assist in discussions between clients and other functions to ensure the best legal solution provided to meet commercial objectives and to encourage best practices.
• Understand tax and regulatory structure of the company and be able to safeguard the company from exposure in the contracts.
• Provides regular reports and updates to line manager and to clients, as appropriate.

Educational & Work Experiences / Key Requirements:

• Incumbent must be holding a bachelor’s degree in law (LL.B.) from a top law school/university.
• Masters or Diplomas in legal vocations/subjects like Media and Entertainment, Intellectual Property Rights etc. shall be given weightage but are not must.
• Minimum 10-12 years post LL.B. as in house lawyer and/or in law firms. Experience in courts by way of ‘private practice’ shall not be accounted for. 
• Substantial experience in media and entertainment industry, especially in:

• • acquisition and licensing of content (sports licensing experience will have more weightage)
  • Production and talent contracts
  • In depth knowledge of the Copyright Act, 1957 and the regulatory framework

Critical Competencies: Behavioural

• Ability to leverage relationships, build a strong network and have effective negotiations.

• Strong communication skills and a team player.

• Working within deadlines.
• Must be self-driven and motivated to take initiatives.
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to handle pressure situations with alacrity.
• Incumbent must have multitasking ability. Timely and efficient delivery of legal support is the key.
• Strategic thinker balanced with a grasp of details. Must possess the ability to switch between execution and strategy mode most effortlessly.
• Ability to see the big picture, visualize the future and develop relevant functional strategies which value add to our business.
• Must be excited by and be able to navigate ambiguity.
• Must be able to get the job done by working collaboratively with others.

 Critical Competencies: Technical

• Excellent drafting skills; Good knowledge of sports monetisation avenues, media rights, contract law, arbitration and civil litigation. Good knowledge of the intellectual properties laws, anti-piracy laws and the regulatory framework of media and entertainment industry.
• Someone who is able to enhance industry specific understanding, having good drafting skills and be an effective process implementation resource.
• Ability to understand and interpret the relevant regulations and apply the same to the work situation.
• Good analytical and presentation skills and capable of providing sound and practical legal advice to the business heads.
• Demonstrated (hands on experience) subject matter knowledge in structuring, drafting and closing of the deals.

Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer – Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation.

Why join us?

Culver Max Entertainment Private Limited is home to some of India’s leading entertainment channels such as SET, SAB, MAX, PAL, PIX, Sony BBC Earth, Yay!, Sony Marathi, Sony SIX, Sony TEN, Sony TEN1, SONY Ten2, SONY TEN3, SONY TEN4, to name a few! 

Our foray into the OTT space with one of the most promising streaming platforms, Sony LIV brings us one step closer to being a progressive digitally-led content powerhouse. 

Our independent production venture- Studio Next has already made its mark with original content and IPs for TV and Digital Media. 

But our quest to Go Beyond doesn’t end there. Neither does our search to find people who can take us there. 

We focus on creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where we celebrate diversity with our Bring Your Own Self Philosophy and are recognised as a Great Place to Work.

- Great Place to Work - Ranked as one of the Great Places to Work for since 5 years 

- Included in the Hall of Fame as a part of the Working Mother & Avtar Best Companies for Women in India study- Ranked amongst 100 Best Companies for Women In India 

- ET Human Capital Awards 2021- Winner across multiple categories 

- Brandon Hall Group HCM Excellence Award - Outstanding Learning Practices.

The biggest award of course is the thrill our employees feel when they can Tell Stories Beyond the Ordinary!