Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property

Nbcuniversal3; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k)

Paid leave

Tuition reimbursement

Discounts and perks

Job summary

NBCUniversal is seeking a Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property to act as the primary IP advisor for a new NBCUniversal initiative.

You will draft, negotiate, and advise on IP and technology transactions, including game engines, creator tools, and AI content production tools, working with legal, engineering, business, and other teams. Requires a JD, California Bar admission (or eligible), and about 7+ years of IP/tech transactions experience, with fluency in game/IP issues and strong communication

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the California State Bar or eligible to register as in-house counsel in California.
• Approximately 7+ years of IP/tech transactions experience.
• Strong understanding of IP in video games, generative AI, UGC, and content moderation.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary IP advisor for NBCUniversal's business.
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on IP/tech transactions and licensing.
• Guide on open‑source policies with IP SMEs.
• Oversee trade secret protection for source code and tools.
• Develop guidelines for generative AI content creation and tracking.

Skills

IP transactions

Legal counsel

Cross‑functional collaboration

Executive communication

Problem solving

In‑house experience

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Job description

Role Purpose:

The Sr. Counsel, Intellectual Property will serve as the primary point of contact for all IP matters for an innovative new initiative at NBCUniversal. This role requires a strong background advising on complex technology-related IP matters and transactions, fluency across a broad range of IP issues, and the ability to work collaboratively with legal, engineering, business, and other NBCUniversal teams to support the rapid development and growth of the business.

Here you can:

• Serve as the primary legal advisor for IP matters for the business
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on IP and technology transactions, including agreements related to game engines, creator tools, online services, game development studios, third-party marketplace assets, joint-development arrangements, and generative AI content production tools
• Partner with the business Lead Counsel, providing guidance on IP provisions and issues in commercial transactions
• Advise on open-source software policies in coordination with NBCUniversal IP subject‑matter experts
• Implement and oversee trade secret protection practices relating to source code, proprietary tools, and technical documentation
• Develop guidelines related to the creation and use of generative AI content, including best practices and tracking processes
• Conduct IP and technology diligence for acquisitions, investments, and strategic partnerships
• Develop IP-related guidelines for content moderation and user‑generated content policies, addressing copyright, trademark, rights of publicity, DMCA, and IP ownership frameworks
• Draft, negotiate, and advise on inbound licensing of third‑party IP, including characters, music, brands, and other products
• Identify, assess, and coordinate with NBCUniversal IP subject‑matter experts on broader IP matters, including trademarks, copyrights, rights of publicity, content clearance, and IP enforcement

Basic Requirements:

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school
• Must be a member in good standing of the California State Bar, or a member in good standing of another U.S. State Bar and eligible to register as in-house counsel in California
• Approximately 7+ years of IP and technology transactions experience, including substantial experience drafting, negotiating, and advising on complex transactions relating to video games, interactive entertainment, technology, consumer-facing products, or other innovative businesses
• Solid understanding of IP issues relevant to video games, generative AI, user-generated content, and content moderation, including fluency in content clearance, brand/franchise licensing, copyrights, patents, trademarks, rights of publicity, IP enforcement, and music licensing
• Exceptional issue-spotting, problem-solving, and business judgment skills
• Proven ability to operate effectively across a large organization and to influence outcomes through collaboration
• Track record of operating as a business-facing IP counsel in fast-moving, ambiguous situations, including evolving areas such as artificial intelligence
• Excellent executive presence and ability to communicate practical legal advice to senior business leaders, engineers, product managers, and creative leader

Desired Characteristics:

• Substantive experience in the video game and interactive entertainment industry, including experience with video game technologies, user-generated content, and game modifications
• Experience supporting generative AI content creation and distribution
• Passion for video games, interactive entertainment, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies, digital platforms, or innovative consumer products
• Experience partnering closely with product, engineering, advertising, marketing, and business leadership teams
• Prior in-house legal experience at a video game publisher, developer, platform, or interactive media company is a plus

Hybrid:

This position currently has a hybrid schedule, which requires contributing from the Universal City, CA office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time.

Benefits:

This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits , including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks. Learn more about the benefits offered by NBCUniversal by visiting the Benefits page of the Careers website.

Salary Range:

$175,000-$215,000 (bonus and long-term incentive eligible)

Selection Process:

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed serv