Sr. Counsel, Legal, Production, Netherlands

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role…

The Senior Counsel is a crucial role in the Legal team for Warner Bros. International Television Production Netherlands, Blazhoffski Productions and Hollands Lich Productions (further named as “WBITVP”).  Providing legal advice and related support to WBITVP’s local production business in Netherlands.

The position will be responsible for assisting with all legal matters arising throughout programme production (from development through to broadcast, other exploitation, including digital and social media, and subsequent distribution) across a broad and dynamic slate of non-scripted and scripted programming (including documentaries, specialist factual, factual entertainment, game shows and “shiny floor” studio-based entertainment) and Employment law, privacy/GDPR, Rental property etc.

The position works in a small team based in WBITVP’s office, consisting of 4 lawyers; Head of Legal; Senior Legal counsel; Legal Counsel and Paralegal, The team is part of a larger team of lawyers within Warner Bros. Discovery and Warner Bros. International Television that have their HQs in London and Burbank, California. 

The position will take primary responsibility for all the scripted and non-scripted productions and deals on which the position is assigned, under the supervision of and directions from the Head of Legal & Business Affairs.

WBITVP

WBITVP is part of the Warner Bros. International Television group of production companies which currently operate in 14 countries around the world, including Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, Sweden and UK (“WBITVP Group”).

WBITVP has the exclusive rights of all WBITVP Group television formats, including non-scripted formats of all genres (including reality, factual, factual-entertainment, studio-based entertainment and game shows) and scripted formats of key genres including, comedy, sitcoms and drama.  Key brands include De Keuringsdienst van Waarde, Verborgen Verleden, Echte Meisjes in de Jungle, Gevaarlijkste Wegen van de Wereld, , Dertigers, Flikken, First Dates, Sluipschutters  and international titles, such as The Bachelor, I Can See Your Voice and Who Do You Think You Are?

Your Role Accountabilities…

• To draft and advise on agreements for the development, production and exploitation of programming, including development agreements; format option or license agreements; commissioning or programme license agreements; production, co-production and collaboration agreements; talent, presenter and other contributor agreements; access agreements, location, studio and production services agreements; and rights releases, permissions or licenses.
• To advise production executives on rights issues, clearance issues and compliance and defamation matters, including advising on compliance with the broadcasters’ codes of practice and policies and sponsorship and advertisement regulations/medialaw.
• To advise on and to assist with the preparation of production protocols and guidance notes for production teams and conduct production ‘set up’ meetings to advise teams in relation to key areas, such as child performers, privacy, foreign filming locations, foreign work visa requirements, work health and safety and editorial compliance. 
• To assist with management of disputes, claims and complaints from contributors, broadcasters, viewers or other parties.
• To assist with, draft and negotiate agreements related to the exploitation of ancillary rights including digital and social media.
• To assist with structuring, drafting and negotiating co-production agreements and other bespoke agreements to enable WBITVP to take advantage of available local production funding, subsidies and tax rebates.
• To liaise with the WBITVP Group’s rights admin and sales admin departments to ensure available programming rights are correctly recorded.
• To advise on copyright, trademark and privacy law matters.
• To advise and conduct due diligence on potential local partners and counterparties to ensure compliance with applicable anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws and trade and economic sanctions including the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, OFAC and EU sanctions.
• To perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience…

• 4-10 years post qualification experience.
• Experience in production or programme rights acquisitions and sales essential.
• Experience gained with a Dutch production company or broadcaster.
• Experience and working knowledge of Dutch broadcasters’ terms of trade preferred.
• Strong background in copyright law and of the ownership of rights in content and underlying material essential.
• Must be well organized, efficient and have ability to prioritize.
• Must have ability to handle multiple tasks and meet conflicting deadlines in short timeframe.
• Must have excellent attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure.
• Must have excellent drafting skills.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be able to explain complex issues simply, clearly and tactfully.
• Must be able to show commercial acumen to apply law to reach commercial objective of the business.
• Proven ability to negotiate around complex problems essential.
• Teamwork: to be happy and willing to take on any matter however trivial or important in order that the team together can achieve its goals.
• An infectious enthusiasm for the television sector.
• Native Dutch speaker.
• Fluent in English.

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/  along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate and you require adjustments or accommodations to search for a job opening or apply for a position, please contact us at recruitadmin@wbd.com.