Vice President - General Counsel

Overview:
Reporting to the CEO (dotted line to CFO), the VP - Legal/General Counsel will lead the company's legal function, providing strategic counsel across media, entertainment, real estate, sports, and commercial transactions. This role partners with senior leadership to align legal strategy with business objectives while managing risk, ensuring compliance, and overseeing complex corporate matters.

We seek a dynamic, broad-based legal expert rather than a specialist. The ideal candidate has experience in highly regulated industries and a strong foundation from adjacent leadership roles-whether as a senior in-house counsel or a law firm second-in-command.

Key Qualities:

• A hands-on, problem-solving mindset with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong contract management skills and experience optimizing legal processes.
• Effective communicator with the ability to manage external counsel efficiently.
• Committed to long-term growth and shaping the company's future.
• This is a high-impact role for a strategic, business-minded legal leader eager to make a difference.

Essential Functions:

• Legal Oversight & Risk Management: Provide comprehensive legal guidance across all business divisions, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. Identify, assess, and prioritize legal risks, effectively communicating them to the appropriate internal decision-makers for discussion and resolution.
• Contract Management & Negotiation Leadership: Take a leadership role in the continuity and improvement of the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of contract drafting, negotiation, processes, and procedures. Lead the drafting, review, and negotiation of a broad range of contracts, including affiliation and retransmission consent agreements, real estate transactions, licensing and sponsorship deals, credit facilities and other commercial agreements. Establish negotiation objectives and schedules to support and meet business requirements. Develop and maintain contract templates and playbooks to standardize processes.
• Regulatory Compliance & Litigation Management: Ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations such as FCC regulations, MLB rules, real estate laws, FTC and advertising guidelines (including contests and promotions), FAA guidelines related to the use of drone, data privacy laws, ABC rules, and compliance frameworks. Participate on the retirement savings plan administrative committee and maintain related documentation and fiduciary responsibilities. Oversee and manage litigation, disputes, and collaborate with external legal counsel to resolve complex issues.
• Corporate Governance & Policy Development: Maintain effective corporate governance for 60+ entities. Advise senior management and the board of directors on corporate governance matters, ensuring adherence to best practices. Establish, implement, and communicate company policies and procedures, including those related to signature authority, contract lifecycle management.
• Trademark & Copyright Guidance: Advise internal stakeholders on copyright issues such as fair use and pursue registration of trademarks for effective brand protection.
• Newsgathering & Political Advertising: Advise the newsroom management and staff on newsgathering matters related to libel and defamation issues. Provide guidance to the sales teams regarding political advertising regulations and related FCC compliance.
• Mergers/Acquisitions & Investment Activity: Provide legal support for M&A activities, including structuring, due diligence, and integration efforts. Review deal documentation for a variety of passive investments and joint venture activities.
• Employment Law & Disputes: Advise on matters of employment law, including managing employment disputes, demand letters, FCC reports, agency proceedings, and subpoenas, when appropriate.
• Legal Research & Updates: Proactively anticipate legal issues. Conduct legal research and stay updated on changes in laws that may affect the company. Ensure that the organization remains in compliance with new and evolving legal frameworks.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Lead, mentor, and inspire the legal team, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture. Partner closely with cross-functional teams such as sales, programming, finance, HR, and operations to provide legal solutions that drive business outcomes.
• External Counsel Management: Select and manage external counsel, ensuring cost-effective support for complex legal matters.

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

Education & Background:

• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited U.S. law school; licensed to practice law in your state of residence.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional legal experience.
  • Experience in media, entertainment, licensing, sports law, or related fields a plus.

Experience:

• Experience "in-house" being the point person on a lean legal team is required.
• Successful track record in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment. The ability to re-prioritize projects with competing deadlines on a constant basis.
• Experience being the accountable party for critical regulatory compliance requirements is strongly preferred.
• Strong experience working with Business Peers to review/negotiate a broad range of commercial contracts.
  • A background in licensing and intellectual property contracts is preferred.
• Track record of effective delegation and management of support staff required.
  • Includes significant experience with organizational change management.
• Management of external counsel and managing legal budgets required.
• Experience installing and/or meaningfully optimizing Contract Management System/Process in partnership with many cross-functional stakeholders.
• Experience in litigation management a plus.
• Familiarity with copyright and trademark laws and regulations, with understanding of fair use is a plus.

Skills:

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to provide pragmatic, legally sound recommendations under pressure.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, including strong change management, as well as delegation.
• Process obsessed and commitment to continuous improvement.

Working Conditions:

• The position will be based in an office environment with occasional travel for site visits, meetings, and industry events.
• Flexibility to work extended hours as needed to meet business demands.

This role offers a unique opportunity for a seasoned legal executive to lead and influence the strategic direction of a dynamic organization across multiple sectors.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Benefits package including:
  • Comprehensive health insurance plan options
  • Vision and Dental Insurance
  • Company sponsored life insurance
  • Numerous voluntary benefit options - legal plans, pet insurance, discounted home and auto and more!
  • 401K with company match
  • Generous paid time off
  • 9 paid company holidays
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Dynamic and inclusive work environment with a supportive team culture.
• Exciting projects and growth opportunities within a leading organization.
• Opportunities to attend free local events, such as sporting events, concerts, shows, and more.

Pre-Employment Information:

• A pre-employment drug screening is required.
• Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

EEO Statement:

Capitol Broadcasting Company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

CBC Statement:

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAZ-TV, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WNGT-CD, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, and WRAL Digital in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and Coastal Plain League in Durham, NC; The Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC; Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC; MoJud Lofts in Greensboro, NC; and The Thread in Rock Hill, SC