Senior Counsel, Global Content Licensing (DTC)

1008 Disney Worldwide Services, Inc.; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 174,600 - 225,800; Full time

Job summary

Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. in Santa Monica, CA, seeks an experienced attorney to join the Global Content Licensing team supporting Hulu + Live TV and other streaming licenses. The role focuses on strategic advisory, due diligence, and high-volume distribution work within Disney’s streaming ecosystem.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of legal experience with MVPDs or content distribution, excellent drafting skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex deals in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of legal experience.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating content distribution agreements across MVPDs and digital platforms.
• Strong contract interpretation, drafting, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and ability to partner with cross-functional teams.
• Sound judgment and ability to identify and escalate legal risks.
• Willingness to develop broader deal-making and negotiation skills over time.

Responsibilities

• Conduct contract diligence and summarize key terms for legal and business audiences.
• Advise stakeholders on contractual requirements and legal considerations for live, linear, and distribution-related programming.
• Assist in execution and ongoing management of distribution agreements and Hulu + Live TV operations.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support distribution workflows and improve efficiency.
• Support distribution initiatives for Disney’s direct-to-consumer services, including live events.
• Draft recommendation memos for senior legal and business stakeholders.
• Escalate key legal considerations, risks, and issues as appropriate.
• Contribute to development of best practices, templates, and processes for high-volume distribution work.

Skills

Legal drafting

Contract negotiation

MVPD/content distribution knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Legal risk assessment

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

California Bar admission

Job description

Overview

The Legal Department is seeking an experienced attorney to join the Global Content Licensing team supporting Disney’s direct-to-consumer businesses. This role focuses on providing strategic advising with respect to operation of the Hulu + Live TV service, other content licensing agreements across Disney’s streaming ecosystem, and performing due diligence, with an emphasis on operational excellence and strong cross-functional partnership. The position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of media, technology, and entertainment, supporting key distribution partnerships and stakeholders across the business.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in content distribution (specifically with respect to DMVPDs and/or MVPDs carriage deals), and be interested in deepening expertise in a fast-paced environment with opportunities to work on more complex deals over time. The role requires detail orientation, collaboration, and the ability to manage a high volume of work while exercising sound legal judgment.

What You Will Do

• Conduct contract diligence and summarize key terms, rights, obligations, and restrictions for legal and business audiences.
• Advise internal stakeholders on contractual requirements and legal considerations for live, linear, and distribution-related programming.
• Assist in the execution and ongoing management of distribution agreements and operation of Hulu + Live TV, ensuring alignment with business and legal requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support distribution workflows and improve operational efficiency.
• Support distribution initiatives for Disney’s direct-to-consumer services, including live events and similar offerings.
• Exercise independent legal judgment on key initiatives and draft recommendation memos for senior legal and business stakeholders.
• Identify and escalate key legal considerations, risks, and issues as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development of best practices, templates, and processes to improve legal support for high-volume distribution work.

Basic Qualifications & Skills

• At least 5 years of legal experience.
• Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating content distribution agreements across traditional cable and satellite providers (e.g., MVPDs), new media platforms and/or digital MVPDs; background in a law firm supporting similar clients is strongly preferred.
• Strong contract interpretation, drafting and analytical skills, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage a high volume of work and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills and ability to effectively partner with cross-functional teams.
• Sound judgment and ability to identify and escalate legal risks as needed.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Interest in developing broader deal-making and negotiation skills over time.

Education

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent from an accredited law school.
• Strong academic credentials; Admission to the California State Bar in good standing or willingness and qualification to be Registered In-House Counsel.

Compensation & Benefits

The hiring range for this position in the Greater Los Angeles area is $174,600 to $225,800 per year and in New York area is $182,900 to $236,600 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

Location & Employment Type

Santa Monica, CA, USA; Full-time.

Job Posting Segment: Legal | Primary Business: DE TV Legal | Primary Job Posting Category: Attorney.