Associate Corporate Counsel, Direct-to-Consumer

Why PlayStation?

PlayStation isn’t just the Best Place to Play — it’s also the Best Place to Work. Today, we’re recognized as a global leader in entertainment producing The PlayStation family of products and services including PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, PlayStation®VR, PlayStation®Plus, acclaimed PlayStation software titles from PlayStation Studios, and more.

PlayStation also strives to create an inclusive environment that empowers employees and embraces diversity. We welcome and encourage everyone who has a passion and curiosity for innovation, technology, and play to explore our open positions and join our growing global team.

The PlayStation brand falls under Sony Interactive Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.

Role Overview:

Sony Interactive Entertainment’s (SIE or PlayStation) Legal & Public Policy team is looking for a lawyer to be part of the Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) legal practice area. The D2C legal practice area supports business areas, including the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct, PlayStation Plus, and the Fraud and Payments team.

As a D2C team lawyer, you’ll get to work with a variety of teams across PlayStation’s global business. The role will comprise a mix of advisory and contractual work. The advisory work will focus on compliance with consumer laws, particularly in respect of laws in the EMEA region relating to eCommerce, subscriptions and consumer rights generally. The transactional work will focus on a mix of consumer facing contracts (i.e. T&Cs) and b2b contracts relevant to the D2C business.

This role is part of a global D2C legal team. You’ll work independently on relevant matters and build strong relationships with internal partners. The best candidates will have excellent judgement in balancing legal risks with business strategy, and will have broad legal knowledge of international laws affecting the video game industry and products.

What you'll be doing:

• Collaborating with and advising key partners across the global business, but with a particular focus on being a dedicated business line lawyer for the D2C and Services business within PlayStation (i.e. the PlayStation Store, PlayStation Direct, Fraud and Payments, and PlayStation Plus teams).
• Advising on a broad range of legal issues impacting the D2C business, including eCommerce advice, retailer liability, geo-blocking, subscriptions (including renewal mechanics and cancellation rights) and consumer protection.
• Assisting in the response to consumer regulator investigations and court proceedings relating to alleged breaches of consumer protection law (including unfair terms and unfair commercial practices). This may include working closely with our Litigation team and external counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
• Drafting consumer facing documentation and influencing internal policy regarding use of the PlayStation Network and related products and services.
• Drafting commercial b2b contracts relevant to the D2C business, which may include licensing agreements and technology agreements. Advising on the legal risks associated with those commercial contracts, including providing actionable advice to mitigate those risks.
• Working with and managing outside counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
• Working with the Public Policy team to track and advise the D2C business in respect of upcoming laws that may impact their operations. This includes providing internal training and support in respect of new laws.
• Contributing to the refinement of current processes and procedures, such as by creating templates and developing legal trainings and playbooks.

What we're looking for:

• Qualified Lawyer with a minimum of 3 years’ post-qualification experience (PQE)
• Proven experience working in and/or with technology companies - video gaming industry exposure considered a bonus!
• Commercial awareness, enthusiasm and passion for technology, law, and business.
• Legal expertise in the areas highlighted above, in particular e-commerce laws, consumer protection and commercial contracts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills along with an ability to foster and build good working relationships with other teams and departments.
• The ability to prioritise and manage projects from inception through to completion with a strong attention to detail.
• Energetic and commercial approach to work and advice. Creative problem solver.
• An active member of a global legal team who can work closely with colleagues in USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Korea to provide global legal advice to the D2C business.
• Team worker with a sense of humour.

Benefits:

• Discretionary bonus opportunity
• Hybrid Working (within Flexmodes)
• Private Medical Insurance
• Dental Scheme
• 25 days holiday per year
• On Site Gym
• Subsidised Café
• Free soft drinks
• On site bar
• Access to cycle garage and showers

Please refer to our Candidate Privacy Notice for more information about how we process your personal information, and your data protection rights.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All persons will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender (including gender identity, gender expression and gender reassignment), race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), religion or belief, marital or civil partnership status, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, maternity or parental status, trade union membership or membership in any other legally protected category.

We strive to create an inclusive environment, empower employees and embrace diversity. We encourage everyone to respond. 

PlayStation is a Fair Chance employer and qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records will be considered for employment.