Director, Business & Legal Affairs, Content Acquisitions

About Crunchyroll

Founded by fans, Crunchyroll delivers the art and culture of anime to a passionate community. We super-serve over 100 million anime and manga fans across 200+ countries and territories, and help them connect with the stories and characters they crave. Whether that experience is online or in-person, streaming video, theatrical, games, merchandise, events and more, it’s powered by the anime content we all love.

Join our team, and help us shape the future of anime!

About the role

We're looking for a business-minded commercial lawyer to join our Legal team as Director, Business & Legal Affairs, Content Acquisitions. You'll focus on content licensing, acquisition, and distribution deals for anime series and films, digital manga, and videogames. You'll report to our SVP, Head of Business & Legal Affairs, and partner closely with business leaders as they find innovative ways to share the joy of anime worldwide.

• Structure, draft, and negotiate a high volume of content licensing, theatrical, and rights acquisition agreements (rights in) and distribution and license agreements (rights out).
• Advise on copyright, trademark, chain of title, and other IP issues.
• Provide practical counsel and creative solutions on deals and legal matters to our teams in the U.S. and Japan.
• Navigate the nuances of anime-specific content agreements, theatrical rights, co-production partnerships, and distribution models.
• Collaborate with teams (content, distribution, marketing, finance, and product) to move key initiatives forward.
• Manage deal templates and ensure agreements remain consistent and aligned with internal policies and emerging legal issues.

We are considering applicants available to work a hybrid schedule, with three days each week onsite at our Los Angeles office.

About You

• You have 10+ years of experience in commercial contracts, content acquisition / distribution, IP, and media / entertainment law.
• You hold a JD and are a member in good standing of at least one state bar (CA or NY required, or eligible to register as In-House Counsel in CA).
• You have worked in-house or at a top-tier law firm supporting major media, streaming, or entertainment companies.
• You have deep experience negotiating complex commercial agreements and providing creative, practical solutions.
• You have expertise in IP rights and trademark/copyright transactional matters.
• You bring practical knowledge of TV, film, streaming, digital VOD, and related industries, and understand the fast-changing global media landscape.
• You excel at drafting, organization, and managing multiple deals while meeting deadlines.
• You communicate effectively and build strong relationships with internal teams, external partners, and outside counsel.
• You thrive in evolving areas of the law, balancing complexity and risk with business needs.

Why you will love working at Crunchyroll

In addition to getting to work with fun, passionate and inspired colleagues, you will also enjoy the following benefits and perks:

• Receive a great compensation package including salary plus performance bonus earning potential, paid annually.
• Flexible time off policies allowing you to take the time you need to be your whole self.
• Generous medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, and life insurance
• Health Saving Account HSA program
• Health care and dependent care FSA
• 401(k) plan, with employer match
• Employer paid commuter benefit
• Support program for new parents
• Pet insurance and some of our offices are pet friendly!

#LifeAtCrunchyroll #LI-Hybrid

The Pay Range for this position is listed. Actual pay will vary based on factors including, but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Crunchyroll’s Total Rewards offerings for employees. Other rewards may include performance bonuses, employer matched retirement savings, time-off programs, and progressive health benefits and perks.Pay Transparency - Los Angeles, CA$190,000—$230,000 USD

About our Values

We want to be everything for someone rather than something for everyone and we do this by living and modeling our values in all that we do. We value

• Courage. We believe that when we overcome fear, we enable our best selves.

• Curiosity. We are curious, which is the gateway to empathy, inclusion, and understanding.

• Kaizen. We have a growth mindset committed to constant forward progress.

• Service. We serve our community with humility, enabling joy and belonging for others.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

Our mission of helping people belong reflects our commitment to diversity & inclusion. It's just the way we do business.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Crunchyroll. Pursuant to applicable law, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Crunchyroll, LLC is an independently operated joint venture between US-based Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Japan's Aniplex, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., both subsidiaries of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation.

Questions about Crunchyroll’s hiring process? Please check out our Hiring FAQs: https://help.crunchyroll.com/hc/en-us/articles/360040471712-Crunchyroll-Hiring-FAQs

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