Director, Real Estate and Legal Affairs
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Real Estate & Legal Affairs attorney to join our internal Corporate Legal Team. This is an exciting and challenging role in a fast-paced environment with primary responsibility for handling real estate legal matters and providing counseling on a wide variety of property-related topics. You will provide strategic advice, risk assessment, and legal oversight regarding global real estate acquisitions, development, leasing, construction, and facilities management across our business. This role requires a strong understanding of commercial real estate law within the U.S. and a familiarity with real estate regimes in key international regions (e.g., EMEA, APAC, LATAM). The Director will be a strategic partner to the business, operating in a fast-moving technology/entertainment environment, with deep subject-matter expertise, strong negotiation skills, business pragmatism, and strong cross-functional partnership.
This position will ideally be based in Los Angeles or New York and will report to the VP, Real Estate & Legal Affairs.
Responsibilities
- Lead on providing real estate legal counseling to business units and legal teams across the company.
- Negotiate and draft complex commercial real estate agreements, including corporate office and studio leases, property acquisitions, and construction contracts.
- Advise on site development and land use matters, including zoning, entitlements, and environmental compliance for new and existing facilities.
- In collaboration with other teams, assess the legal and operational risks of global expansion, site selections, and new studio developments.
- Lead for real estate due diligence in the context of Corporate Development strategy, M&A, and board-level projects.
- Partner with the Portfolio Management, Real Estate, and other key stakeholder teams to manage the existing global portfolio, addressing landlord-tenant disputes, renewals, and compliance requirements.
- Manage external real estate counsel globally, ensuring high-quality work product and cost-effective representation.
- In partnership with Global Affairs, monitor global land use regulations and emerging real estate trends relevant to our business.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate (JD) Degree from an accredited law school.
- Bar Admission: Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
- 15+ years of deep experience and exposure to commercial real estate matters, including complex leasing, large-scale acquisitions, and construction law.
- Preferably a combination of top-tier law firm and in-house experience.
- Experience with redevelopment projects and land use (e.g., zoning, permits, and governmental entitlements) is a significant plus.
- Deep knowledge of U.S. real estate laws and exposure to international property regimes and regulatory systems.
- Ability to align legal strategy with the company's broader business objectives.
- Exceptional ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely to both legal and non-legal audiences.
- Exceptional ability to work cross-functionally and manage multiple stakeholders under tight deadlines.
- Exceptional negotiation skills.
Pay
The range for this role is $550,000.00 - $945,000.00. Our compensation structure consists solely of an annual salary; we do not have bonuses. You choose each year how much of your compensation you want in salary versus stock options.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health plans and mental health support.
- 401(k) Retirement Plan with employer match.
- Stock Option Program.
- Disability Programs, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Family-forming benefits.
- Life and Serious Injury Benefits.
- Paid leave of absence programs.
- Full-time hourly employees accrue 35 days annually for paid time off to be used for vacation, holidays, and sick paid time off.
- Full-time salaried employees are immediately entitled to flexible time off.