Associate Counsel

TITLE: Associate Counsel

POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Exempt

COMPANY: Sharks Sports and Entertainment, LLC

LOCATION: San Jose, CA

REPORTS TO: Deputy General Counsel

PAY RANGE: The pay range for this role is $100,000 - $120,000 per year

Actual base pay will be determined based on permissible factors such as transferable skills, work experience, market demands and primary work location. The base pay range provided is subject to change and may be modified in the future.

Position Overview

As Associate Counsel for SSE, the successful candidate will be part of a small in-house legal team that is tackling some of the most exciting issues in professional sports and entertainment. The Associate Counsel will work on large and small matters that require impeccable judgement, intellectual curiosity, a can-do attitude, and the ability and desire to collaborate cross-functionally. As a key part of the team, the Associate Counsel will proactively counsel internal clients, negotiate agreements, help manage and track the terms of a large volume of complex transactions, support innovative organizational initiatives, and help identify and manage legal risks. The Associate Counsel position is a full-time role. Candidates must be comfortable both working independently and collaboratively with others in a hybrid working environment. This is not a remote position and regular in-office work in San Jose, CA is required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist legal department in its day-to-day legal and compliance matters, including those relating to sales, marketing, and promotions; broadcasting; IT; international operations; special projects; arena and facility operations; hockey operations; public relations; litigation; insurance and risk management; workers' compensation; intellectual property; and general employment law.
• Review, draft, and negotiate commercial contracts and agreements, as assigned, related to corporate partnerships; construction, independent contractors, employment, licensing, broadcasting, and other agreements with customers, vendors, partners, and other third parties.
• Collaborate with SVP, General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel on legal strategy and management of outside counsel and consultants; support management of outside counsel and consultants, including with respect to legal billing.
• Create, maintain, and manage contract filing and tracking systems for all areas of SSE's business; leverage technology to overhaul and implement a document repository and use data insights to measure legal department KPIs.
• Monitor, review, and analyze U.S. laws, rules, and regulations to promote compliance with applicable laws in company decisions and practices.
• Draft and manage process for sales and marketing promotions, including drafting of official rules, winner documentation, and review of creative materials.
• Conduct legal research to support business decisions and provide guidance on various legal matters.
• Prepare and conduct series of legal compliance trainings; support management of legal training calendar.
• Apply established legal principles and sound judgment to proactively strategize, assess and manage risk.
• Independently identify and prioritize work and projects based on content, urgency, and organizational sensitivity.
• Create, update, preserve, and file important corporate records and maintain in accordance with the company's document retention policy.
• Correspond with the NHL, other NHL entities, including other NHL Clubs, and outside counsel in furtherance of SSE's overall objectives and legal responsibilities.
• Perform other duties and projects as needed and assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school required with excellent academic credentials and bar membership in good standing (CA preferred, but not required).
• 3-4 years of experience with a major law firm and/or in-house legal department (in house sports and entertainment experience preferred).
• Advanced negotiating and writing skills, with a strong ability to draft and review legal documents, analyze complex issues, and provide practical, business-oriented solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to maintain strong relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Astute, detail-oriented self-starter with excellent organizational skills, the ability to multitask, and sense of urgency.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word and Excel) and Adobe Acrobat Pro; document management and Westlaw proficiency preferred.
• Must be able to independently identify and prioritize projects, manage work flow, and complete projects under time constraints.
• Must possess proven relationship-building and collaborative skills.
• Ability to work occasional extended hours including nights, weekends, holidays (all with advance notice). Flexibility to adapt to an ever-changing work environment, not governed by traditional 9-5 mentality. We are flexible and anticipate flexibility in return.
• Ability to travel between various ice facilities, as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, and in-person meetings
• Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation
• Ability to physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation
• May require travel to other company locations, and/or conferences and events within the Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan)
• Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly)
• Pretax Transportation Benefit
• 401K (pre-tax and Roth options)
• Generous Paid Time Off Policy
• Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year
• Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets
• Other League & partner discounts
• Central office location in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley; convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking
• An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE's commitment to change with impact on our community and industry
• Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities
• Free access to on-site Volta EV charging stations on non-event days

This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.

Summary:

Born in 1991, Sharks Sports and Entertainment ("SSE") has grown into a multi-faceted organization that includes the SAP Center, the NHL San Jose Sharks, the AHL San Jose Barracuda, the Tech CU Arena, three Sharks Ice facilities, and the non-profit Sharks Foundation. Additionally, we are growing our organization through expansion in the Bay Area and surrounding communities in Northern California.

We work and play in the Bay Area, and are deeply influenced by the technology, innovation, diversity, and commitment to excellence that surrounds us. Our culture is transforming to reflect those values, with an eye towards a pioneering, forward-thinking, and inclusive environment in sports and entertainment.

We live, work, and innovate by a set of Pioneering Principles:

T - Team success is more important than individual success

E - Exceptional experience is non-negotiable in everything we do

A - Appreciate others for their diversity and opinions

M - More risk leads to more rewards and expands our comfort zones

T - Trust that all teammates have the best intentions

E - Empower all teammates to make informed decisions

A - Always say what you really mean and do what you say

L - Lead by showing the respect to others you expect from them

We strive to unite people through a shared love of ice sports, entertainment, and our hometown. We are #TealTogether.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

Here at Team Teal, we recognize and celebrate that individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent well beyond any list of required skills and qualifications - in fact, we believe diversity of backgrounds and skills, combined with passion, are the most important keys to meaningful innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Sharks Sports and Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veterans' status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.

Notice to Recruiters and Agencies

SSE recruits candidates directly, rather than through third-party recruiters or agencies. Under no circumstances will SSE pay a fee for candidates submitted or presented without a signed recruiting agreement in place between SSE and the recruiter or agency prior to the submittal; any submittal must be for requisition specifically and individually assigned in writing by SSE's HR department. In the case of candidate(s) submitted or presented to SSE by a recruiter or agency without a signed agreement AND written assignment by SSE Human Resources, SSE explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) with no financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.

Job Questions:

Do you now, or will you in the future require sponsorship for U.S. work authorization?

If you are not currently located in the San Jose area, would you consider relocating?

Do you have a J.D. degree from an accredited law school with excellent academic credentials and bar membership in good standing?

Do you also have 3-4 years of experience with a major law firm and/or in-house legal department (in house sports and entertainment experience preferred)?