Director, Business & Legal Affairs, APAC

The UP&E Business & Legal Affairs team is seeking an experienced, motivated, and collaborative in-house lawyer to support the Consumer Products business across the Asia Pacific region (APAC). The role will look after contract needs related to IP consumer product and publishing licensing agreements, retail/marketing campaigns, design asset creation and other services arrangements and provide business & legal affairs support to commercial/category and creative teams across UP&E APAC offices in Sydney, Tokyo & Seoul. You will work closely with cross-functional partners in compliance, tax, IP enforcement, accounting/finance and other business and legal stakeholders located in Universal’s APAC, Los Angeles and London offices as you work across a range of licensing and legal issues. This role will report to the VP, Business & Legal Affairs based in London. Key Responsibilities Advise and coordinate with category management, marketing, product development, creative, and finance executives at all levels of seniority to identify and resolve business and legal issues (including issues relating to contract interpretation), mitigate risk, and provide ongoing counsel, advice and support. Draft, manage and negotiate a high volume of intellectual property license and service agreements associated with the licensing, distribution, promotion and marketing of toys, apparel, books and other consumer goods. Management of junior staff, fostering training and development whilst concurringly managing an independent workload. Supervise and review contracts and related legal work product generated by the Business & Legal Affairs team, aligning priorities and ensuring deadlines are met. Collaborate with NBCUniversal tax, compliance, IP/trademark, controllership/finance, litigation and other internal teams on a range of issues. Advise internal stakeholders on new business propositions, undertake research and identify potential issues and risks. Create ad-hoc contracts and legal documents as business requirements dictate. Assist with royalty audits, interpreting contractual language and finalising settlement agreements. Perform additional duties and manage special projects as needed.