Vice President, General Counsel

The Minnesota Star Tribune is an innovative modern media organization building on an extraordinary 158-year legacy. With seven Pulitzer Prizes and numerous other accolades, we stand as a beacon of journalistic excellence in Minnesota. Together, we are the heart and voice of the north.  

Our mission is to build a better Minnesota by connecting us with the people, ideas, and stories that strengthen our communities. We’re seeking dynamic leaders who are passionate about journalism and democracy to help shape this future. If you are excited about reinventing one of our state’s most trusted institutions and leading us into a new era of growth and excellence, we want to hear from you. 

Job Summary: Vice President, General Counsel

The Vice President, General Counsel is responsible for the Company’s comprehensive legal needs, coordinating with outside counsel partners. It’s a dynamic and fascinating leadership role for a deft legal mind that covers diverse terrain, including the existential questions of our time: free speech, freedom of the press, labor and employment law, and the role of journalism and technology in society. The General Counsel’s duties cover media law (libel, access, and other 1^st Amendment issues), providing advice and counsel to the newsroom, labor and employment law, often negotiating labor contracts and dealing with grievances and other disputes. Other areas of law include intellectual property, privacy, consumer law, and providing guidance to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Board of Directors. This role reports to the company’s Chief Financial Officer and SVP, serving as the chief legal strategist for the company.  Unique to this important leadership post, the Vice President, General Counsel has a direct line into the publisher and editor to ensure full alignment and counsel on all legal matters.

Responsibilities

• Legal Advice and Legal Strategy
  • Provide legal advice to the Minnesota Star Tribune newsroom on prepublication review, access issues, libel, copywrite, and safety issues.
  • Advise company leaders on legal strategy and risk management.
• Litigation Direction
  • Manage and coordinate all litigation and dispute resolutions.
  • Advise company executives on risks, benefits, and likelihood of successful outcomes.
  • Oversee privileged internal & external investigations.
• Contract and Policy Management
  • Ensure efficient review of all company contracts.
  • Review and update the company’s legal policies.
  • Manage electronic discovery, document collection, and data preservation policy.
• Collaboration with Departments
  • Partner with Finance leadership to advise on financial reserves and respond to auditors’ requests.
  • Partner with the CHRO to develop overall company strategy and direction with respect to labor and employment matters.
  • Advise the CEO and Minnesota Star Tribune Board of Directors on litigation-related and risk management matters.
• Labor and Employment Law
  • Provide day-to-day legal advice on employer/employee relationships, including discipline, termination, discrimination, harassment, accommodation, LOA, benefits, employee classification, privacy, wage and hour, immigration, and background checks.
  • Consult with HR on internal investigations into employment complaints.
  • Draft, review, interpret, and negotiate employment-related agreements.
• Legal Department Operations
  • Negotiate agreements for preferred vendor relationships.
  • Ensure seamless and efficient legal processes and systems, driving for continuous improvement.
  • Refine and enforce processes to manage outside counsel usage and spend.
  • Supervise vendor management, including conducting RFPs and analyzing financial metrics to reduce cost.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?  No
(i.e. hiring, recommending/approving promotions and pay increases, scheduling, performance reviews, discipline, etc.)

Qualifications

• Juris doctorate and licensed to practice law in Minnesota.
• Substantial experience in handling complex litigation and other disputes. Experience with labor and employment-related disputes is preferred, and experience with professional liability and/or general commercial disputes is also desirable.
• Substantial experience in conducting and managing highly sensitive internal investigations.
• Proven ability to find, direct and manage relationships and budgets with outside counsel.
• Excellent leadership capabilities and interpersonal skills to work effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Prioritization skills and ability to drive projects to completion.
• Being open to change (positive or negative) in response to new information, different or unexpected circumstances.
• Accepting and adhering to high ethical, moral, and personal values in decisions, communications, actions, and when dealing with others.
• Experience with laws specifically impacting the media industry preferred.

More About the Minnesota Star Tribune 

At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we recognize that our employees are our greatest asset, and we are committed to their happiness, growth, and well-being. Here’s a snapshot of the exceptional benefits we offer: 

• Modern Downtown Office: Enjoy a state-of-the-art workspace with a free fitness center, collaborative center, golf simulator, and a rooftop patio. 
• Comprehensive Benefits: Includes commuting subsidy, medical, dental, and vision insurance. 
• Wellness & Work-Life Balance: Participate in our wellness program with financial incentives, generous paid time off, flexible holidays, one volunteer day, and two wellness days. 
• Financial & Family Support: Benefit from a 401(k) with company match, paid parental and caregiving leave, hybrid work arrangements, and tuition reimbursement. 
• Additional Perks: Access to an employee assistance program, pet insurance, flexible spending accounts, and health savings accounts. 

2025 award winner of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Media and News and proud recipient of Newsweek’s Greatest Midsize Workplaces 2025 recognition.

Equal Opportunity Employer 

Even if you don't meet every single requirement for this role, we encourage you to apply. At the Minnesota Star Tribune, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

Salary/Wage Range

$225,000+ / year

Compensation for the role will depend on several factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience and may fall outside of the range shown. The Minnesota Star Tribune offers a competitive total rewards package, which includes a 401(K) match, healthcare coverage – medical, dental, and vision, life, disability, paid time off, and a broad range of other benefits. Learn more at benefits.startribunecompany.com.