Corporate Counsel, Licensing and Digital Marketing

We are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join our EMEA Legal team, supporting PlayStation’s Licensing and Digital Marketing businesses. The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of post-qualification experience in UK law, with strong commercial judgement and a proven track record of advising on complex licensing and commercial transactions across jurisdictions in EMEA. In this role, you will provide day-to-day transactional support and legal counseling on a broad range of licensing matters.

You will be part of the Licensing and Digital Marketing Legal Team in EMEA, and work closely with legal colleagues globally. You will report to the Director of Technology and Advertising. The legal team at PlayStation is a lively and dynamic environment, where creativity and collaboration are key. We value personalities that bring energy and enthusiasm to the table, making our workplace anything but stuffy.

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide ongoing transactional support and related legal counseling to PlayStation’s Licensed Merchandise and Peripherals Licensing businesses across EMEA.
• Responsibilities include drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of licensing and commercial agreements, including license agreements, product schedules, amendments, and related vendor and services agreements.
• Advise business teams on deal structure, risk allocation, and commercial terms throughout the lifecycle of licensing arrangements.
• Serve as a key legal advisor on complex licensing matters, including Direct-to-Retail and other retailer-led models, regulatory and compliance considerations, product safety and certification requirements, and cross-border manufacturing and distribution structures.
• Work closely with internal partners such as IP Enforcement, Product Safety and Compliance, Marketing, Clearance, Brand IP, and Product Compliance Legal teams worldwide.
• Handle a significant volume of ad hoc legal inquiries related to licensing deals, compliance obligations, contract interpretation, breach and remediation issues, and operational questions.
• Prepare and manage customs and trade-related letters and documents as needed.
• Provide occasional transactional support and legal counseling to Digital Marketing and other business groups as needed, including advising on contract strategy, drafting and negotiation, and risk mitigation.
• Lead transactions independently, support negotiations with external counterparties, and participate in meetings with internal clients and external partners.
• Act as a primary legal point of contact for EMEA licensing matters, providing practical, timely, and commercially focused advice and escalating issues appropriately.

What we’re looking for:

• UK qualified lawyer with a minimum of 5 years post qualification (PQE) experience, particularly working as in-house counsel in a company supporting a merchandise or technology licensing program.
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or equivalent international legal degree.
• Strong experience in commercial, licensing, and intellectual property law, including drafting and negotiating complex licensing and related commercial agreements.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property and licensing issues, particularly in the context of consumer products, hardware, digital content, and/or interactive entertainment.
• Familiarity with competition issues related to licensing businesses.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills along with the ability to foster and build good working relationships with other teams and departments.
• Ability to prioritise and manage projects from inception through completion with strong attention to detail.
• Energetic and commercial approach to work and advice.
• Creative problem solver.

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 note, Sony Interactive Entertainment conducts background checks at the offer stage for all new employees (which may include criminal background checks for some roles) and will need to process personal information to support these checks.

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.