Chief Counsel, Distribution

Chief Counsel, Distribution

As the Chief Counsel, Distribution at Disney, you will lead a legal team advising on the full spectrum of distribution channels—emerging and established—ensuring Disney remains competitive, compliant, and future‑ready in an evolving media landscape. You will be the principal legal partner to the President, Platform distribution and the Head of Theatrical Distribution and play a pivotal role in shaping the legal strategies for the global distribution and monetization of The Walt Disney Company’s world‑class feature films, television content, and online direct‑to‑consumer offerings. You will work in close collaboration with Platform Distribution and Theatrical Distribution leadership and cross‑segment business and legal stakeholders across all regions to develop consistent strategies across the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the distribution legal function, setting strategic priorities, championing legal excellence, and developing and empowering a high‑performing legal team that advances business objectives.
• Oversee all legal matters related to the distribution and monetization of Disney+, Hulu, ESPN’s networks and offerings, ABCowned stations, ABC broadcast affiliates, and Disney’s film and television programming across home entertainment, licensing, theatrical and digital platforms.
• Serve as the principal legal advisor to Platform Distribution leadership, providing business‑forward legal counsel on complex and novel legal issues, and partnering with executives across the company to drive critical initiatives and policy setting matters.
• Partner with Platform Distribution leadership in the negotiation of key content distribution agreements with third parties and drafting such agreements, either directly or as an escalation point for others in the legal team.
• Advance global distribution capabilities by collaborating with cross‑functional stakeholders and internal legal partners to enable rapid, flexible, and compliant content distribution while protecting Disney’s intellectual property value.
• Anticipate industry shifts, proactively advising on regulatory, technological, and commercial developments affecting distribution models.

Required Qualifications

• 15+ years of legal experience focused on media distribution across cable, broadcast, theatrical, digital, and emerging platforms.
• Expertise in complex agreements, including content distribution, licensing, carriage, and platform deals.
• Deep understanding of contract law, FCC regulations, affiliate distribution requirements, and key compliance frameworks.
• Proven executive leadership, with a track record of influencing senior stakeholders and leading high‑performing legal teams.
• Exceptional strategic judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk with business realities in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.
• Strong operational discipline, including the ability to manage competing priorities and high‑pressure deadlines.
• Strong relationship‑building skills with the ability to influence, drive effective collaboration, and bring people and teams together.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience within global entertainment distribution, including international regulatory and commercial considerations.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, highly cross‑functional organization.
• A forward‑looking, innovative mindset that embraces change and drives continuous improvement.

The hiring range for this position in both New York, NY and Burbank, CA is $345,900 - $463,900 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long‑term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.