Sr. Manager, Sr. Corporate Counsel, Media & Entertainment

Pokemoncareers; Bellevue (WA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 293,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k with match

Hybrid work environment

Relocation assistance

Generous paid leave

Job summary

The Pokémon Company International in Bellevue, WA, is seeking a Sr. Manager, Sr. Corporate Counsel, Media & Entertainment to lead legal support for Pokémon's expanding media business.

You will partner with production, licensing, and business teams to negotiate licenses, advise on contracts, and guide strategic initiatives. The role manages a small team and emphasizes people development and performance, requiring a JD and bar admission in WA or eligibility, with extensive entertainment

Qualifications

• Ten+ years of post‑qualification professional experience.
• Five+ years in media and entertainment.
• Two+ years leading high‑performing teams through mentorship.
• JD from an accredited law school; Bar license in WA or eligible.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• In‑house counsel experience in entertainment/tech preferred.
• Experience working internationally or across cultures preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead negotiations for outbound licensing of Pokémon media with partners.
• Serve as primary production counsel to in‑house media teams.
• Structure, draft and negotiate entertainment production and licensing agreements.
• Collaborate with music administration and IP clearance teams on licensing strategy.
• Develop templates, policies, and playbooks for in‑house media production.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Contracts

Drafting

Communication

IP Licensing

Cross-border work

Team development

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Get to know The Pokémon Company International

The Pokémon Company International manages the Pokémon property outside of Asia and is responsible for brand management, licensing and marketing, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the animated TV series, home entertainment, and the official Pokémon website. Pokémon was launched in Japan in 1996 and today is one of the most popular children’s entertainment properties in the world.

Learn more online at corporate.pokemon.com and pokemon.com.

Job Title: Sr. Manager, Sr. Corporate Counsel, Media & Entertainment

Job Summary: The Legal department at The Pokémon Company International is looking for a managing attorney with extensive entertainment licensing experience to lead legal support for Pokémon's expanding media business. This person will partner closely with Pokémon's media production, media sales, business affairs and music administration teams to lead strategic licensing negotiations, provide support for media production projects, and advise internal clients regarding a broad range of legal, contractual and business issues.

The Sr. Manager, Sr. Corporate Counsel will manage a small team and be accountable for people development and performance.

FLSA Classification (US Only): Exempt

People Manager: Yes

What you’ll do

• Lead, develop and support a high performing team of legal professionals dedicated to TPCi's media.
• Lead negotiations for outbound licensing of Pokémon animated films and series with domestic and international broadcast and video-on-demand (VOD) partners.
• Serve as primary production counsel to The Pokémon Company International's (TPCi) in-house media production team.
• Work closely with the Chief Legal Officer and TPCi's media and business development senior leaders to support global media initiatives.
• Structure, draft and negotiate a wide variety of entertainment production and licensing agreements.
• Work closely with TPCi's music administration and Intellectual Property (IP) Clearance teams to holistically advise on IP rights and licensing strategy.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of contract templates, policies, and playbooks for in-house media production, and streamline business and legal processes.

What you’ll bring

• Ten+ years or more of post-qualification professional experience.
• Five (5) or more years of experience working in media and entertainment.
• Two (2) or more years of demonstrated ability building, developing and leading high-performing teams through mentorship, coaching, and growth-focused leadership.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school or equivalent educational qualification.
• Bar license in good standing in Washington state or another jurisdiction is required. If not currently admitted to practice in Washington, qualified to seek admission to practice in Washington and successfully register with the Washington State Bar upon hire.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, communication (written and verbal), and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrable experience innovating new processes to streamline operations and increase efficiency, transparency, and partnership between business teams and legal.
• In-house counsel experience with a company in the entertainment or technology industry .
• Experience in working in media and entertainment, as well as experience working internationally or collaborating across cultures, is preferred.
• Working knowledge of talent relations and guild/union experience preferred.
• Experience working internationally or collaborating across cultures preferred.

Base Salary Range: For this role, new hires generally start between $162,000.00 - $216,000.00per year. The full range is $162,000.00 - $293,000.00 per year. This range is applicable for the labor market where the role is intended to be hired. The final base salary is directly related to the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience uniquely.

#LI-MK1 #LI-Hybrid

How you’ll be successful

• Passion for Pokémon: Develops an understanding of the Pokémon brand, the impact it has on our people, culture, business, fans, and communities, and applying that knowledge and passion to everything you do.
• Challenging the Expected: Approaches challenges with curiosity and creativity, embracing the possibility of failure as an opportunity to learn something new, develop innovative ideas, solve complex problems and identify unique opportunities.
• Integrity and Respect: Demonstrates integrity and respect by leading with empathy, listening to others, seeking out different perspectives, and taking personal responsibility for decisions, actions, and results.
• Dedicated to Quality: Takes ownership to maintain and promote high standards, looks for new ways to learn and improve, and embraces a growth mindset to seek and apply feedback from others in an effort to continuously improve.
• Building Relationships: Develops and strengthens relationships, adopting a 'team first' mentality and working collaboratively to solve problems and meet shared goals.
• Delighting Customers: Listens and understands the interests and needs of our customers and stakeholders, making them feel heard and important, and embracing these learnings to continue delivering a unique Pokémon experience.

What to expect

• An innovative culture driven by impact, delivering meaningful outcomes.
• Company events that celebrate the spirit of Pokémon.
• Competitive cash-based compensation programs.
• 100% employer-paid healthcare premiums for you.
• Generous paid family leave.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid long and short-term income protection insurance.
• US Employees: 401k Employer Matching.
• UK/IRE/MX Employees: Pension Employer Contributions.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Commuter benefit.
• LinkedIn learning.
• Comprehensive relocation package for certain roles.
• Hybrid work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this role. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. For roles in the United Kingdom, candidates will need the right to work. In some cases, and for some roles, the Company may be able to arrange a visa. For roles in Ireland, this role requires candidates to have the right to live and work in the Republic of Ireland. However, we welcome applications from all nationalities and may consider supporting an employment permit application, in appropriate and suitable cases.

The Pokémon Company International is committed to the inclusion of all qualified applicants for consideration in our job application process. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview, or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact the Talent Acquisition team at [e-mail].