AccuWeather is searching for a dynamic
General Counsel to join its leadership team. The General Counsel leads AccuWeather's Legal Services team and serves as chief legal advisor to the CEO and business leaders across a global B2C digital media business, and enterprise B2B weather-data and insights business, and a linear broadcast/OTT network. This role owns the company's legal risk, commercial contracting, IP, privacy, and litigation strategy, and is responsible for modernizing the legal functions, including through the adoption of AI-enabled tools and workflows to deliver faster, leaner, and more scalable legal support to the business.
The position is located on-site at AccuWeather's Headquarters in State College, PA
KEY RESPONSIBILITIESLegal Operations & AI-Driven Efficiency- Champion the adoption of AI legal tools (contract lifecycle management, legal research, drafting assistance) to cut cycle time, reduce outside counsel spend, and scale the legal team's output.
- Build and own the company's internal AI governance framework and advise the business on legal and regulatory risk arising from its own use and development of AI.
- Redesign commercial contracting and other legal workflows for speed, consistency, and measurable efficiency gains.
- Structure and manage the internal legal team and legal support staff; manage outside counsel relationships and budget for cost-effective coverage.
Commercial & Corporate Transactions- Negotiate and draft high-value commercial agreements, including content and technology licensing, strategic partnerships and alliances, and ad-tech platform arrangements.
- Serve as lead legal advisor on M&A, divestitures, joint ventures, and corporate investment transactions.
- Advise on financing activity, including business and legal-entity structuring.
- Advise on content delivery and distribution issues across broadcast, cable, and OTT platforms.
Data Privacy, Cybersecurity & Regulatory- Act as subject-matter expert on consumer data privacy for a digital media company with a global user base, and monitor emerging privacy, cybersecurity, and AI regulation for business impact.
- Partner with Security and IT on cybersecurity risk, vendor data-processing terms, and incident response.
- Ensure company-wide compliance with applicable domestic and international laws and standards.
Litigation, IP & Risk- Direct litigation strategy and outside counsel on matters filed by or against the company; approve settlements.
- Protect the company's intellectual property portfolio, trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets - including strategy for complex IP litigation.
- Oversee contract enforcement and delinquency collections.
Corporate Governance & Board Support- Serve as key advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors on corporate governance, risk, and major transactions.
- Participate in defining corporate policies, procedures, and programs, and advise on their legal implications.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired- JD and 15+ years of relevant experience, including service as General Counsel or senior in-house counsel in a corporate environment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong working knowledge of AI legal tools and a demonstrated record of using AI to drive legal-department efficiency (not just familiarity, but hands-on experience selecting, implementing, or championing AI tools in a legal setting).
- Broad intellectual property experience, including patent law, IP licensing, and IP due diligence.
- Working familiarity with employment law and compliance investigations (DOL/OFCCP).
- Proven ability to negotiate and draft complex, high-value contracts and to quickly analyze agreements from varied origins.
- Strong executive presence; able to advise and present to senior management, the Board, and international clients and partners.
- Experience managing a team of attorneys and legal support staff and managing outside counsel cost-effectively.
- Experience with corporate governance matters involving a Board of Directors.
- General knowledge of tax laws and standards as they relate to corporate transactions.
Preferred- Experience in digital media, broadcast/OTT, or a comparable data- or platform-driven industry.
- Exposure to board governance, M&A processes, or strategic planning cycles.
- Experience directing strategy for complex IP litigation.
- Experience managing or coordinating cross-functional teams without direct authority.
