Legal Counsel, Operations, Technology and Distribution

The Legal Counsel, Operations, Technology and Distribution provides critical legal support underpinning our technology, operations and distribution activities. This role involves drafting and negotiating complex technology and infrastructure contracts, supporting our operations team on satellite, playout and related agreements, and leading platform and carriage negotiations with key distributors including Sky, Virgin, Apple and Amazon. The role ensures continuity of legal support to underpin distribution revenues and provides high quality legal services that meet the company’s operational needs and expectations.

The Legal and Business Affairs Team is the backbone to the business. We are a group of talented and motivated individuals who combine professional legal expertise and commercial acumen with deep understanding of broadcasting operations and technology infrastructure. As a business, we recognise the critical importance of our technology and distribution partnerships, and we work collaboratively with various stakeholders to build long-term relationships that ensure operational continuity. We are trusted influencers who take pride in supporting the business as it grows and continues to innovate in the evolving media landscape.

This is a permanent contract position. This role will be hybrid based in the London office, working with our broadcasting operations and technology teams as well as exciting, award-winning brands like Sky HISTORY and Crime+Investigation.

Key Responsibilities

• Drafting, negotiating and concluding complex technology and infrastructure contracts, commercial carriage agreements, and distribution agreements for our channels in UK and international territories.
• Leading platform and carriage negotiations with major distributors and technology providers including Sky, Virgin Media, Apple, Amazon, and other key distribution partners.
• Advising the company on general commercial, and/or legal matters relating to the company’s many areas of business including Marketing, Ad Sales, Operations and IT/Technology.
• Supporting the GC and the business with music rights and collections society negotiations regarding music usage in the business.
• Ensuring continuity of legal support to underpin distribution revenues and protect critical business relationships with technology and distribution partners.
• Undertaking legal research, drafting general commercial agreements (eg NDAs) and creating reports to disseminate to key stakeholders of the company, of any regulatory changes to our business practices.
• Undertaking legal research on technology and telecommunications law, drafting commercial agreements, and creating reports on regulatory changes affecting broadcasting infrastructure and distribution.
• Efficiently manage our legal workflow with the programming and commercial departments to ensure deadlines and expectations are met.
• Keeping the business informed of regulatory developments in telecommunications, broadcasting technology, and platform distribution that may affect operations and business practices.
• Supporting the GC on major contract negotiations and board matters.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following key competencies:

• Working with people
• Presenting and communicating information
• Applying expertise and technology
• Delivering results and meeting expectations

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified solicitor with at least 1-2 years post-qualification experience, preferably gained in a top private practice law firm.
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with demonstrable experience in commercial contract work.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail and ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Commercial awareness and business acumen with ability to provide practical legal solutions.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience in media, broadcasting, telecommunications, or technology sectors.
• Knowledge of broadcasting regulations, platform distribution and carriage agreements.
• Experience with technology and infrastructure contracts, including satellite, playout and distribution agreements.
• Familiarity with music rights and collections society negotiations.
• Understanding of intellectual property law, particularly in relation to broadcasting and digital distribution.

About Us

At Hearst Networks EMEA, we share stories that matter, inspiring and exciting our audiences with hit US franchises (The Curse of Oak Island, Pawn Stars), must-see docudramas (Royal Kill List and Colosseum), and original commissions (Sex: A Bonkers History with Amanda Holden, Royal Autopsy, Cops Gone Bad with Will Mellor). Over the past few years, we’ve championed our own original programming and relished in the successes of recent series’ such as The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd, Great Escapes with Morgan Freeman, The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Royal Mob.

We welcome talented candidates with infectious enthusiasm and creativity, who love what they do, and are ready to learn, develop and thrive. Here you’ll find a community of innovative, collaborative and inspiring people who aren’t afraid to embrace responsibility and try new things together, as a team.

We are a certified Great Place to Work® with a motivated and supportive culture that believes in working to live, not just living to work. Every employee has a voice and is encouraged to be themselves and be ambitious. With offices in Rome, Madrid, London, Warsaw, Munich and Johannesburg, we are a truly international organisation that celebrates difference and diversity.

As an inclusive employer, we value the diversity of our teams and want our workforce to reflect our wider society. We encourage and welcome applications from people from under-represented backgrounds and are keen to make sure we are inclusive and accessible to all. Please do let us know if you require any adjustments or assistance for meetings and communications with you when you apply for a role with us.

Hearst Networks EMEA Values

Curiosity is what drives us to question, explore, and innovate. We approach challenges with an open mind, ready to grow and evolve as the world changes around us. When we stay curious, we keep learning, discovering fresh opportunities, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Courage is showing up as your true self, with confidence and heart, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. It’s about owning our choices, stepping beyond our comfort zone, and creating new paths and opportunities to explore for both our company and yourself.

Care is part of everything we do - how we treat each other, approach our work, connect with our partners and the world. It’s about creating a culture where everyone feels included, respected, and truly supported. By acting with care, we nurture trust within our teams, building meaningful relationships throughout our company.