At CSM we are driven by a clear purpose; to Pursue Extraordinary. We exist to create a positive impact on our partners, their audiences, our industry and our people, and to look for opportunities that can inspire a better world in everything we do.

Our diversity of experience, expertise and opinions is our greatest asset, which is why we celebrate our differences. We are looking for individuals who want to put their hand up and challenge convention to create something exciting, bigger and better each and every time.

CSM is proud to share fresh perspectives and new ideas to produce work that others don’t and won’t.  What we do is fast-paced, exciting and rewarding which is why we love it and why you’ll love life at CSM.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

The Legal team supports every area of our business and there’s a huge variety of work in meeting the changing needs of a global sports and entertainment agency. CSM is involved in sponsorships and activations, strategic and commercial consultancy, event creation and delivery, rights sales and acquisitions, digital and social media, PR and communications, hospitality, and live experiences. 

CSM North America (NA) has offices in New York, Indiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with employees throughout various states in the US.

This position will be based out of our Indianapolis office (with options for flex/hybrid working) and will be responsible for our NA Legal matters, as well as support alongside other members of the Legal team (in the UK) and stakeholders across the business in North America and globally.

This role is the sole NA -based attorney and will report into the CSM General Counsel and work alongside a team of four further Legal Counsels and a Paralegal (all based in the UK). The NA Corporate Counsel will be supported by one Legal Counsel in the UK who spends 50% of their time on NA related work.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing proactive and commercial legal advice and assistance to all aspects of CSM North American businesses.
• Drafting and negotiating a wide range of client and supplier contracts required by a full-service sports and entertainment marketing agency, including, but not limited to, marketing services agreements, scopes of work, commission agreements, consulting agreements, supplier agreements, independent contractor agreements, influencer agreements, and NDAs.
• Advising on matters relating to the running, hosting and/or promotion of events, including venue agreements, event terms and conditions, supplier agreements, and intellectual property matters.
• Providing pragmatic and clear advice in relation to the implementation of, and ongoing compliance with, applicable legislation and guidelines, to include data privacy and protection.
• Manage and oversee one UK Legal Counsel and their legal work (50/50 split with the UK).
• Responsibilities for other duties consistent with the role (such as managing disputes, creating and maintaining template documents, effecting best-in-class legal processes, managing external counsel appropriately and in budget, and delivering know-how/training across the business).
• Manages CSM NA’s intellectual property portfolio (with outside counsel as needed).
• Aiding the NA CFO and other colleagues on risk management initiatives, corporate secretarial matters, and other projects.
• Work closely with the NA CFO, General Counsel, and UK Legal Counsel to ensure NA legal needs are handled timely and efficiently.

THE SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE YOU NEED

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience as an in-house counsel or a combination of law firm practice and in-house experience.
• J.D. from an accredited law school and licensed to practice law in the State of Indiana, New York or North Carolina; attorney's license must be current, active and in good standing.
• Experience supporting North American businesses / legal department.
• Highly proficient with commercial contract drafting and superb negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of and engagement with data privacy and data security laws and issues.
• Detail-oriented, organized, efficient and resourceful with strong follow-through skills, as well as demonstrated strategic approach to legal problem solving.
• Comfortable interacting with legal and business leaders internally and externally.
• Strong analytical, written, and verbal skills, with an ability to communicate complex issues in a simple way and to develop plans and strategies to resolve issues and reduce areas of risk.
• Must be willing to travel to CSM NA offices as required.
• Must be a team player, self-starter and be able to work independently with minimal supervision in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated experience with leading projects, meeting deadlines, and solving problems.

USEFUL BUT NOT MANDATORY

• Experience in the sports and entertainment sector and/or an in-house legal department.
• Knowledge beyond commercial law (such as dispute resolution, corporate and/or employment laws).
• Ability to use Westlaw/Practical Law for legal research needs.

ABOUT YOU

• Time Management skills and flexibility to work across time zones, including reporting to the General Counsel in the UK and NA CFO in Indianapolis, and balancing workload appropriately.
• Ability to co-manage UK Legal Counsel.
• Enthusiastic with a strong ‘can-do’ attitude.
• High professional standards of operation and service.
• Disciplined, hard-working and committed.
• Flexibility to accommodate the nature of the role.
• Ability to prioritize effectively in order meet deadlines.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding.
• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with colleagues and a wide range of stakeholders, both internally and externally.
• Team player with a collaborative working style but a strong decision maker as required by the role.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate complex topics and concepts to a diverse audience.
• Someone with integrity and sincerity and in whom others place their trust.
• Interested in sport, entertainment, and marketing.

*Individuals with greater or less experience than stated, who possess relevant skills and experience for this role will be  considered and are encouraged to apply.

CSM is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.