Sony Pictures Networks - Manager - Legal - LLB/LLM

Organization : Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN)

About Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN):

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPN), is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation which owns and operates the Sony Entertainment network of television channels. SPN comprises 31 channels including Sony Entertainment Television (SET and SET HD), one of India's leading Hindi general entertainment television channels; MAX, India's premium Hindi movies and special events channel; MAX 2, another Hindi movie channel showcasing great India Cinema; MAX HD, a high definition Hindi movie channel airing premium quality films; WAH, the FTA channel for Hindi movies; SAB and SAB HD the family-oriented Hindi comedy entertainment channels; PAL, a genre leader in rural Hindi speaking markets (HSM) showcasing the best of Hindi general entertainment and Hindi movies from SPN's content library; PIX and PIX HD, the English movie channels; LePlex HD showing critically-acclaimed Hollywood films; AXN and AXN HD, the action and adventure-oriented English entertainment channels; Sony BBC Earth and Sony BBC Earth HD, the premium factual entertainment channels, Sony AATH, the Bangla entertainment channel; MIX a refreshing Hindi music channel; ROX HD, a channel for contemporary Hindi music; YAY!, the kids entertainment channel; Sports Network comprising 11 sports entertainment channels - SONY SIX, SONY SIX HD, SONY ESPN, SONY ESPN HD, SONY TEN 1, SONY TEN 1 HD, SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 2 HD, SONY TEN 3, SONY TEN 3 HD, SONY TEN GOLF HD; SonyLIV - the digital entertainment VOD platform, SPN Productions, the networks- film production arm and Sony Pictures Networks Distribution Pvt Ltd. (SPND) that distributes the networks television channels across different genres and languages through multiple content delivery platforms. SPN reaches out to over 700 million viewers in India and is available in 167 countries.

The network is recognized as an employer of choice within and outside the media industry. SPN is a recipient of several awards, including the - Aon Best Employers India- Award in the 2017 edition in recognition of SPN's unique workplace culture and exceptional people practices, consistently ranking amongst India's Top 10 Companies with Best Health & Wellness Practices by SHRM, CGP Partners, listed by Working Mother & AVTAR as one of the 100 Best Companies for Women in India in 2017 and adjudged one of India's Great Mid-Size Workplaces by the Great Place To Work- Institute for the 2017 edition.

Sony Pictures Networks India Private Limited is in its 23rd year of operations in India. Its subsidiaries include Sony Pictures Networks Distribution India Private Limited, MSM-Worldwide Factual Media Private Limited, MSM Discovery Private Limited, Taj Television (India) Private Limited, Aqua Holding Investments [Pvt.] Ltd., and Bangla Entertainment Private Limited.

Role Overview

Reporting to Senior Manager, the role holder will be responsible for providing legal support for the Hindi Movie Channels.

POSITION ATTRIBUTES

Position title : Manager- Legal

Designation : Manager- Legal

Function : Legal

Sub-function : Legal

Reporting to : Senior Manager - Legal

Location : Mumbai

Band : E

Position Interlinkages

Within the organization :

- Relevant business and commercial team members

- Finance, billing and collection team members

Outside the organization :

- External legal consultants/law firms

- External customers or vendors legal/commercial team

POSITION SPECIFICATION :

Education : LLM or any other post graduate qualification in Law from a reputed institute/institution

Overall experience : 5-7 years

Essential experience :

- Minimum 5-7 years post LL.B. as in-house lawyer and/or in law firms. Experience in courts by way of - private practice- shall not be accounted for.

- Substantial experience of the incumbent must be in media and entertainment industry specifically in acquisition, licensing of content and production transactions and shall carry the maximum weightage.

- Should have in-depth knowledge of the Copyright Act, 1957

Desirable experience :

- Diplomas in legal vocations/subjects like Media and Entertainment, Intellectual Property Rights etc. shall be given weightage but are not must.

Key Responsibilities :

- Content Licensing: The full cycle of management of rights from the time of due diligence of the chain of the title documents that fulfils the pre-requisite condition of acquiring the content related to movies and certain other genres of content, drafting & reviewing of the content acquisition agreements, negotiation of contracts with counter parties- lawyers, value addition in commercials, management of contractual compliances, liaising with the various departments to ensure contractual compliances are made. Incumbent is expected to have good knowledge of content licensing.

- Channel business support: Supporting the channel business by providing legal assistance in relation to production of programs, talent hiring, PR, Creative & Designing, Marketing, OAP, Programming, IT, Logistics, Ad Sales, contest terms and conditions, privacy policies, terms of usage of websites and likewise; drafting and negotiating low to medium complexity contracts for the foregoing aspects of the channel business by providing legal inputs and rendering services through the contractual process.

- Processes and Systems: Managing, implementing various systems and process various processes for the better functioning of various verticals within the organisation including online contract requisition system, Master Data Management Project, Contract Lifecycle Management System, Contractual Matrix, rights management grid and others. Templatization of important agreements.

- Miscellaneous: To provide contracting and legal support for new initiatives and special projects of the company.

- To minimize risk and proactively protecting the company's interest and assets.

- Engaging, learning and winning the confidence for handling high complexity contracts.

- To manage day to day responsibility for drafting accurate contracts, negotiating them with third parties on his/her own and concluding them in tight deadlines.

- To provide accurate, effective and timely legal advice, analysis and support on commercial and contractual matters taking into account the commercial environment.

- To act as the day to day interface between the company and external counsel, briefing external counsels and attending hearings in the courts and other regulatory forums and government departments.

- To liaise with intra departments of the company in respect of commercial and contractual matters where appropriate to ensure that all relevant legal issues are identified and appropriate support is provided.

- To understand tax and regulatory structure of the company and be able to safeguard the company from exposure in the contracts.

- To assist in the development of best practice with regards to the legal aspects of commercial and contractual matters entrusted.

- To influence and assist in discussions between clients and other functions to ensure the best legal solution to meet commercial objectives and to encourage best practices.

- To provide regular reports and updates to line manager and to clients, as appropriate.

Critical Competencies for Success

Behavioral/ Personal Characteristics:

- Ability to leverages relationships, build a strong network and have effective negotiations.

- Strong communication skills and a team player.

- Working within deadlines.

- Must be self-driven and motivated to take initiatives.

- Must be able to demonstrate the ability to handle pressure situations with alacrity.

- Incumbent must have multitasking ability. Timely and efficient delivery of legal support is the key.

Technical skills:

- Excellent drafting skills; Good knowledge of contract law, arbitration and civil litigation. Good knowledge of the Copyright Act, 1957 and the regulatory framework.

- Well versed with commercials negotiations. Someone who is able to enhance industry specific understanding, having good drafting skills and be an effective negotiator.

- Ability to understand and interpret the relevant regulations and apply the same to the work situation.

- Good analytical skills and capable of providing sound and practical legal advice to the business heads.

- Demonstrated (hands on experience) subject matter knowledge in structuring, drafting, negotiating and closing of content licensing deals.