GBH enriches people's lives through programs and services that educate, inspire, and entertain, fostering citizenship and culture, the joy of learning, and the power of diverse perspectives.

At GBH, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are hybrid and work both from home and onsite. Our current hybrid approach requires staff to work onsite a minimum of two days each week, every Tuesday and Wednesday, Hybrid staff are also welcome to come in additional days each week or may be asked to come in on other days by their manager.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Legal and Business Affairs Department provides legal and business advice and support to all GBH projects and departments. The Department ensures that the business of GBH, including contracting, rights clearances, and royalty reporting, is handled effectively and runs smoothly. The Department works with internal clients to prepare or review all contracts, and offers legal and business guidance on pre-production, production and post-production matters, and vets programs and projects prior to broadcast or release to the public.  The Department also manages legal disputes that may arise; legal compliance with government funders, FCC, immigration and other government regulatory issues; copyright, domain name and trademark registrations and questions; and training staff regarding proper legal procedures. Talent Relations, which is part of the Department, handles all matters relating to talent in national television productions, including talent contracts, union work rules, waivers, grievances, arbitrations, residual reporting to guilds and guild members, and union contract negotiations (SAG/AFTRA, WGA, and AFM).

JOB OVERVIEW

Reporting to the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel is responsible for a portfolio of transactional and contractual related activities (e.g., production, licensing, funding and distribution) to support assigned WGBH production units and projects and GBH. The Deputy General Counsel will advise clients on business and legal issues, including: structuring, drafting, and negotiating complex transactions for television, digital, and radio productions; handling all aspects of deals for: domestic and international licensing, co-production, distribution, production, funding, ancillary rights exploitation, sponsorship, advertising and services; liability waivers, NDAs, stock footage licenses, literary rights agreements and trademark and logo agreements; reviewing funding proposals, branding, marketing and advertising materials and press releases; and reviewing royalty reporting.  In addition, the Deputy General Counsel will make risk assessments on behalf of GBH, supervise Contracts Managers as assigned, work with outside counsel as required, resolve issues related to rights and clearances, and review and advise, if requested, on broadcast content prior to broadcast, including making fair use determinations as well as compliance issues.

RESPONSIBILITIES   

The Deputy General Counsel also will: research background project information by reviewing contract files and compiling information from clients; liaise with client groups and other WGBH departments to facilitate legal needs and ensure compliance with all relevant laws; communicate effectively with business leaders and senior and executive management on critical contract/legal related matters; and resolve issues pertaining to copyright and defamation, rights and clearances, and union talent.  

The ideal candidate will demonstrate superior communication, analytical, negotiation and presentation skills.  The candidate also should have extensive experience: analyzing and interpreting complex documents; responding effectively to clients’ concerns, questions and issues; working independently and supervising others in handling and prioritizing a variety of complex issues.  The candidate also must be skilled at achieving consensus, have good judgment, excellent follow-through and the ability to communicate and work effectively with staff in all areas and at all levels of the Foundation, including senior and executive managers, to obtain information relevant to the issue(s) at hand and advise as necessary.

SKILL SET

• Bachelor's degree, JD experience (at a recognized entertainment law firm or in-house position with a media company and/or in a corporate counsel role preferred) or equivalent required plus a minimum 8-10 years’ experience in entertainment/media law in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated experience to negotiate and draft a wide variety of complex agreements (i.e. Licensing, Co-production, Distribution, funding, software, vendor, etc.).
• Superior communication, analytical, negotiation and presentation skills
• Excellent negotiating, analytical, drafting and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent relationship skills with, and ability to successfully deal with, third party stakeholders, production companies, and attorneys.
• Solid IP experience.
• Expertise in music rights and/or commercial distribution deals preferred.
• The ability to interact with and advise senior level staff and generate strong client satisfaction.
• A cooperative, team-oriented approach.
• Sharp business acumen, sound judgment, and strategic deal-making ability.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proficiency with Macintosh operating system and Word.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with artists and business people in a fast-paced production environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent reading, writing, verbal, organizational, negotiating, communication and analytical skills required.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience, writing ability and the proven capability to set priorities and meet deadlines.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor’s Degree, a JD degree, and admission to a state Bar is required.

JOB STATUS

Staff

Hybrid

JOB LOCATION

Brighton, MA

Salary Range

Compensation offered within this range is determined by skills, experience and internal pay equity.