Legal Counsel in Belfast

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Versant is seeking a Legal Counsel, primarily to support the BRS Golf and GolfNow businesses, with exposure to broader Versant digital ventures including Fandango. This role will be based in our International HQ offices in Belfast, Northern Ireland (hybrid working arrangements apply).

Reporting to the Senior Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs, the position will serve as a supporting role within the legal team in a variety of commercial, marketing and general corporate transactional matters. This role offers excellent exposure to a broad range of commercial legal work within a supportive, international team environment, and would be suited to candidates that are newly qualified or with up to three years of post-qualification experience.

• Advise internal business clients on all issues pertaining to Versant’s Digital Platforms and Ventures business portfolio which operate within and across international territories beyond the US. These include GolfNow, BRS Golf, Fandango and other related ventures.
• Draft, review and negotiate a wide range of commercial contracts, including strategic partnerships, sponsorships, vendor & supplier agreements, and technology & software licensing agreements (MSA’s, SAAS, etc.).
• Assess the legal implications of emerging technology products and services, including assisting in the compliance with laws in all relevant territories (e.g., data protection & privacy, consumer protection, digital services, and platform regulations).
• Review and provide legal guidance in relation to marketing and advertising activities, including promotions, competitions and sweepstakes, and any other marketing initiatives, including oversight of website terms and conditions.
• Support business growth activities, including due diligence support and research relating to the legal implications of conducting business in various jurisdictions internationally.
• Liaise with wider internal specialist legal and compliance teams to ensure provision of consistent guidance on legal issues relating to Cyber Risk/Security, Data Protection & Privacy, Corporate Secretarial, Litigation, Intellectual Property, and other areas as required.
• Engage with and manage the delivery of external counsel resources when required, ensuring such assignments are completed within set timeframes and allocated budgets.

To be considered for the role you must be a Qualified Solicitor with:

• Demonstrable experience within a commercial environment, advising on a broad range of legal matters, including for example commercial contracts, intellectual property and litigation and informing commercial decision making from a legal standpoint.
• Knowledge of data protection and other regulatory compliance.
• Experience of collaborating across multiple functions and operating within a wider matrixed environment.
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills with excellent attention to detail, with the ability to work independently and adapt to changing priorities.

• Experience of working in a global company with international subsidiaries in the SAAS industry.
• Experience in adherence to Payments/Financial Service Regulations.
• Understanding of Competition/Anti-trust law.

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with a VERSANT Media employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. VERSANT Media's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].

VERSANT Media is not accepting unsolicited assistance from search firms for this employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at VERSANT via email, the Internet, or in any form and/or method without a valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from VERSANT's Talent Acquisition team will be deemed the sole property of VERSANT. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by VERSANT as a result of the referral or through other means.