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Job Description
Salary
TITLE: Deputy General Counsel
POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Exempt
COMPANY: Sharks Sports and Entertainment, LLC
LOCATION: San Jose, CA
REPORTS TO: SVP, General Counsel
PAY RANGE: The pay range for this role is $200,000 - $230,000 per year
Actual base pay will be determined based on permissible factors such as transferable skills, work experience, market demands and primary work location. The base pay range provided is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
Position Overview
As Deputy General Counsel for SSE, the successful candidate will be an integral part of a small in-house legal team managing some of the most exciting issues in professional sports and entertainment. The Deputy General Counsel will work on large and small matters that require impeccable judgement, intellectual curiosity, a proactive mindset, and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally. The Deputy General Counsel will provide strategic counsel to internal stakeholders, negotiate complex agreements, support innovative organizational initiatives, and help identify and mitigate legal risks. This is a full-time position that requires a balance of independent work and teamwork in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Legal Counsel & Risk Management
- Advise SSE on a wide range of legal and compliance matters, including commercial operations, marketing, promotions, broadcasting, IT, international operations, arena operations, hockey operations, public relations, litigation, workers’ compensation, intellectual property, and employment law.
- Provide strategic legal guidance to senior leadership, ensuring alignment with business objectives and risk tolerance.
- Identify and assess legal risks, proactively developing and implementing strategies to mitigate potential issues.
- Collaborate with the SVP, General Counsel on legal strategy, risk management, and engagement with outside counsel and consultants.
Contract Drafting & Negotiation
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide variety of commercial agreements, including those related to sponsorships, licensing, broadcasting, employment, independent contractors, vendor relationships, construction, and technology.
- Ensure contracts align with SSE objectives while mitigating legal and financial risks.
- Serve as a key negotiator in high-value transactions and partnerships.
Compliance & Policy Oversight
- Develop, implement, and lead legal compliance training programs; manage the legal training calendar.
- Serve as the internal data privacy expert and primary legal contact for all privacy-related matters, including HIPAA compliance and consumer-facing privacy regulations.
- Regularly assess, draft, and update SSE policies and internal processes to ensure legal compliance and operational efficiency.
- Maintain compliance with NHL regulations and collaborate with other NHL entities, including other clubs.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation Management
- Manage litigation strategy in coordination with outside counsel, ensuring effective resolution of disputes.
- Oversee internal investigations and respond to regulatory inquiries as needed.
- Advise on employment-related legal matters, including workplace policies, investigations, and risk mitigation strategies.
Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with internal stakeholders across all business units to provide proactive legal support and drive organizational initiatives.
- Support the SVP, General Counsel in managing legal department workflows, priorities, and strategic initiatives.
- Lead and mentor junior legal team members as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
- J.D. from an accredited law school with excellent academic credentials; bar membership in good standing (CA preferred but not required)
- 8+ years of legal experience with a major law firm and/or in-house legal department (in-house sports and entertainment experience preferred)
- 3+ years of leadership/management experience overseeing legal teams or functions, with a track record of working closely with senior executives
- Outstanding negotiating and writing skills, with a strong ability to draft and review legal documents, analyze complex issues, and provide practical, business-oriented solutions
- Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills and ability to maintain strong relationships at all levels of the organization
- Astute, detail-oriented self-starter with excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask and sense of urgency
- Must be able to independently identify and prioritize projects, manage workflow, and complete projects under time constraints
- Must possess proven relationship-building and collaborative skills
- Ability to work an occasionally flexible schedule, potentially including occasional nights and weekends, and be on-call as necessary based on the changing priorities of the department
- The selected candidate will be expected to be onsite in San Jose, CA as the primary work location
- Ability to travel between various ice facilities
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit, stand and utilize a computer for extended periods of time
- Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, and in-person meetings
- Ability to bend at the waist, reach overhead and lift up to 15 lbs with or without accommodation
- Ability to physically navigate stairs and catwalks at SSE facilities during normal work hours and events with or without accommodation
- May require travel to other company locations, and/or conferences and events within the Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation (base salary and variable incentive plan)
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Flexible Spending Accounts (all LGBTQ+ friendly)
- Pretax Transportation Benefit
- 401K (pre-tax and Roth options)
- Generous Paid Time Off Policy
- Minimum of 10 Paid Holidays and Wellness Days per year
- Complimentary or discounted sports and concert tickets
- Other League & partner discounts
- Central office location in downtown San Jose at the heart of Silicon Valley; convenient access to Caltrain, VTA, major freeways and free parking
- An inclusive culture which values diversity of background and a passion to improve our SSE’s commitment to change with impact on our community and industry
- Potential for flexible scheduling and telework opportunities
- Free access to on-site Volta EV charging stations on non-event days
This position is not eligible for U.S. work authorization sponsorship.
Summary:
Born in 1991, Sharks Sports and Entertainment (“SSE”) has grown into a multi-faceted organization that includes the SAP Center, the NHL San Jose Sharks, the AHL San Jose Barracuda, the Tech CU Arena, three Sharks Ice facilities, and the non-profit Sharks Foundation. Additionally, we are growing our organization through expansion in the Bay Area and surrounding communities in Northern California.
We work and play in the Bay Area, and are deeply influenced by the technology, innovation, diversity, and commitment to excellence that surrounds us. Our culture is transforming to reflect those values, with an eye towards a pioneering, forward-thinking, and inclusive environment in sports and entertainment.
We live, work, and innovate by a set of Pioneering Principles:
T – Team success is more important than individual success
E – Exceptional experience is non-negotiable in everything we do
A – Appreciate others for their diversity and opinions
M – More risk leads to more rewards and expands our comfort zones
T – Trust that all teammates have the best intentions
E – Empower all teammates to make informed decisions
A – Always say what you really mean and do what you say
L – Lead by showing the respect to others you expect from them
We strive to unite people through a shared love of ice sports, entertainment, and our hometown. We are #TealTogether.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
Here at Team Teal, we recognize and celebrate that individuals come with a wealth of experience and talent well beyond any list of required skills and qualifications – in fact, we believe diversity of backgrounds and skills, combined with passion, are the most important keys to meaningful innovation and excellence. Therefore, we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require accommodations during the interview process.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Sharks Sports and Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veterans’ status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances.
Notice to Recruiters and Agencies
SSE recruits candidates directly, rather than through third-party recruiters or agencies. Under no circumstances will SSE pay a fee for candidates submitted or presented without a signed recruiting agreement in place between SSE and the recruiter or agency prior to the submittal; any submittal must be for requisition specifically and individually assigned in writing by SSE’s HR department. In the case of candidate(s) submitted or presented to SSE by a recruiter or agency without a signed agreement AND written assignment by SSE Human Resources, SSE explicitly reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) with no financial obligation to the recruiter or agency.
- $200,000 - $230,000/year
