Senior Counsel, Simon & Schuster
Simon and Schuster Books, New York, NY, United States
Simon & Schuster was named to Forbes magazine list of America's Best Mid-Size Employers 2022. Simon & Schuster is a global leader in general interest publishing, dedicated to providing the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world's most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards. It is home to numerous well-known imprints and divisions such as Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, Gallery Books, Pocket Books, Adams Media, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing and Simon & Schuster Audio and international companies in Australia, Canada, India and the United Kingdom, and proudly brings the works of its authors to readers in more than 200 countries and territories. For more information visit our website at www.simonandschuster.com.
Simon & Schuster, a leading global publishing company, is seeking an experienced transactional attorney to join its Legal Department as Senior Counsel. This role is well suited for a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys partnering with business teams to structure practical agreements that support sales, operations, traditional publishing, and evolving digital initiatives/business models.
Position Overview The Senior Counsel will serve as a key legal partner and will address the day‑to‑day needs of our Audio Division and Sales and Operations groups, and as needed will provide support to our international divisions. This role will focus on the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of commercial agreements that support the business and core publishing functions. The position will counsel clients on various legal and commercial risks related to contractual arrangements, and media, intellectual property, privacy, technology and digital issues and will partner strategically with the operations, sales and audio publishing teams and act as a general advisor and consulting resource from the Legal Department. This role will also handle pre‑publication review of certain audiobooks.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Excellent drafting, negotiating and analytical skills and the ability to structure agreements for novel business arrangements. Sound business judgment and creative problem‑solving skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with different client groups to provide guidance and make strategic recommendations. Effectively prioritize, execute and respond to a wide variety of inquiries. Ability to: work independently, seek guidance when necessary, shift gears quickly to respond to changing client needs and work collaboratively and collegially with clients at all levels of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
SaaS and other vendor agreements
Digital and physical distribution agreements
Master services agreements
Manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics agreements
Operational and facilities agreements
Advise Sales, Operations and Audio teams on contract interpretation, risk allocation, and commercial strategy.
Counsel on intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademark, and content licensing issues.
Collaborate cross functionally (sales, publishing, marketing, operations, and technology stakeholders to support both established publishing models and evolving digital strategies.
Assist with international publishing matters and in other legal areas as the need arises.
Qualifications
Minimum 6 years of relevant transactional experience, preferably in publishing, media, or technology businesses.
Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
Strong understanding of intellectual property principles.
Experience with digital media (eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts, or other digital media) arrangements preferred.
Strong business judgment and the ability to provide practical, risk‑based advice.
Simon & Schuster US is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet. At Simon & Schuster US, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do. From employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Simon & Schuster US is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.
The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job‑related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable. Additionally, employees have access to our industry‑first, Broad Based Ownership program, which makes all employees partners in our shared success.
Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster role will be employees of Simon & Schuster, LLC, subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Simon & Schuster, a leading global publishing company, is seeking an experienced transactional attorney to join its Legal Department as Senior Counsel. This role is well suited for a commercially minded lawyer who enjoys partnering with business teams to structure practical agreements that support sales, operations, traditional publishing, and evolving digital initiatives/business models.
Position Overview The Senior Counsel will serve as a key legal partner and will address the day‑to‑day needs of our Audio Division and Sales and Operations groups, and as needed will provide support to our international divisions. This role will focus on the drafting and negotiation of a wide range of commercial agreements that support the business and core publishing functions. The position will counsel clients on various legal and commercial risks related to contractual arrangements, and media, intellectual property, privacy, technology and digital issues and will partner strategically with the operations, sales and audio publishing teams and act as a general advisor and consulting resource from the Legal Department. This role will also handle pre‑publication review of certain audiobooks.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities Excellent drafting, negotiating and analytical skills and the ability to structure agreements for novel business arrangements. Sound business judgment and creative problem‑solving skills. Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with different client groups to provide guidance and make strategic recommendations. Effectively prioritize, execute and respond to a wide variety of inquiries. Ability to: work independently, seek guidance when necessary, shift gears quickly to respond to changing client needs and work collaboratively and collegially with clients at all levels of the organization.
Key Responsibilities
Draft, review, and negotiate a broad range of commercial agreements, including:
SaaS and other vendor agreements
Digital and physical distribution agreements
Master services agreements
Manufacturing, warehouse, and logistics agreements
Operational and facilities agreements
Advise Sales, Operations and Audio teams on contract interpretation, risk allocation, and commercial strategy.
Counsel on intellectual property matters, including copyright, trademark, and content licensing issues.
Collaborate cross functionally (sales, publishing, marketing, operations, and technology stakeholders to support both established publishing models and evolving digital strategies.
Assist with international publishing matters and in other legal areas as the need arises.
Qualifications
Minimum 6 years of relevant transactional experience, preferably in publishing, media, or technology businesses.
Demonstrated experience drafting and negotiating complex commercial agreements.
Strong understanding of intellectual property principles.
Experience with digital media (eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts, or other digital media) arrangements preferred.
Strong business judgment and the ability to provide practical, risk‑based advice.
Simon & Schuster US is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet. At Simon & Schuster US, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do. From employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Simon & Schuster US is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.
The hiring salary range for this position applies to New York City, California, Colorado, Washington state, and most other geographies. Starting pay for the successful applicant depends on a variety of job‑related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. The benefits available for this position include medical, dental, vision, 401(k) plan, life insurance coverage, disability benefits, tuition assistance program and PTO or, if applicable. Additionally, employees have access to our industry‑first, Broad Based Ownership program, which makes all employees partners in our shared success.
Candidates hired for this or any other posted Simon & Schuster role will be employees of Simon & Schuster, LLC, subject to all policies, including the Workplace Privacy Notice, and eligible solely for the benefits plans thereof.
#J-18808-Ljbffr