Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs

This is a Full Time Job

Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs

The Role and What You'll Do:

About the Role

WWE is seeking a skilled and proactive Corporate Counsel to join our Business & Legal Affairs team and report into the WWE - Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and TKO - Head of Intellectual Property. The ideal candidate will have approximately 10 years of legal experience, focused on drafting and negotiating corporate agreements, as well as intellectual property enforcement and protection. This position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of law, business strategy, and entertainment.

Key Responsibilities
• Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of contracts for all business needs relating to sports and entertainment, including agreements relating to independent contractors, talent, marketing, media, multimedia, content, licenses, performance, services, non-disclosure agreements, and other complex commercial agreements generally utilized in the sports and entertainment industry, including consumer products license agreements, vendor agreements, service-level agreements, font license agreements, partnership contracts, releases and waivers, appearance agreements, independent contractor agreements, and NDAs.
• Draft, advise, and review a broad range of contracts for all business needs relating to sports and entertainment, including agreements relating to independent contractors, talent, marketing, media, multimedia, content, licenses, performance, services, non-disclosure agreements, and other complex commercial agreements generally utilized in the sports and entertainment industry
• Advise internal stakeholders on legal risks and mitigation strategies in contract terms.
• Monitor and enforce the company's intellectual property portfolio (trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets), including drafting and sending cease-and-desist letters, managing takedowns, filing UDRP actions, managing third party enforcement vendors and supporting litigation if necessary.
• Collaborate with external counsel and IP offices globally on enforcement. Work closely with internal business units on a wide variety of intellectual property related matters.
• Conduct IP clearance searches and analysis for character names, corporate logos, and apparel slogans.
• Support the development and refinement of contract templates.
• Stay current on relevant legal developments, including changes in IP law and technology affecting brand owners' ability to monitor and enforce proactively.
• Work closely, collaboratively and enthusiastically with other members of the Business & Legal Affairs team of WWE, WWE affiliates, as well as corresponding business clients.
• Provide comprehensive legal advice and counsel to internal business units and company leadership and executives.
• Provide real-time analysis and advice on business and legal issues, including questions of contract interpretation and enforcement.
• Participate in special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications
• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to at least one U.S. state bar, and the ability to register as Connecticut authorized in-house counsel.
• Approximately 10 years of relevant legal experience, ideally with a mix of law firm and in-house roles.
• Strong experience drafting and negotiating corporate contracts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proven track record of enforcing IP rights and managing IP-related disputes.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Knowledge or willingness to watch current and historical WWE programming.

Preferred Skills
• Familiarity with domestic and international IP enforcement strategies.
• Experience using contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools.

Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Equity/stock options (if applicable)
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match

TKO EEO Statement:

TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee's or applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws. For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our Terms of Use.