Vice President, Legal

About the role

The Vice President, Legal will act as a deputy to the General Counsel of The Athletic, providing forward‑looking legal counsel and overseeing a small legal team. This hybrid position is based in New York City and works closely with The Athletic’s leadership and the New York Times Company legal team.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as a senior legal leader, assess risk across business and legal matters, make executive recommendations, and drive issues to resolution.
• Provide legal support to digital product teams—including product, design, data, and engineering—on compliance, risk‑based solutions, and alignment with business objectives.
• Act as the primary legal partner for AI and generative‑AI issues, offering risk‑mitigation strategies across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with The Athletic leadership on major legal and regulatory matters, special projects, budgeting, compliance activities, policy development, risk assessment, and training programs.
• Coordinate with New York Times Company lawyers and cross‑functional stakeholders to consolidate legal guidance for product goals.
• Oversee commercial transactions and manage the team delivering commercial legal support and legal operations.
• Stay informed on legal decisions, statutory changes, and industry trends, advising proactively as needed.

Required profile

• Undergraduate degree and J.D., admitted to the New York bar (or equivalent).
• 10+ years of relevant experience, including product counseling, intellectual property, technology, data privacy, and commercial transactions.
• Proven ability to advise product and other teams through complex matters with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience managing a legal team and delivering results in high‑pressure environments.
• Strong business acumen, capable of discussing general business issues with senior management and operating personnel.
• Ability to work independently and lead projects from concept to completion.

Required skills