Legal Counsel, Employment (UK, EMEA and APAC)

THE AGENCY

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is a leading entertainment and sports agency, with global expertise in filmed and live entertainment, digital media, publishing, sponsorship sales and endorsements, media finance, consumer investing, fashion, brand management and consumer product licensing, and philanthropy. Distinguished by its culture of collaboration and exceptional client service, CAA’s diverse workforce identifies, innovates, and amplifies opportunities for the people and organizations that shape culture and inspire the world. The trailblazer of the agency business, CAA was the first to build a sports business, create an investment bank, launch a venture fund, found technology start-up companies, establish a philanthropic arm, build a business in China, form brand marketing services division, and launch a family office advisory practice, among other innovations. Named Most Valuable Sports Agency by Forbes for nine consecutive years, CAA represents more than 3,000 of the world’s top athletes in football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer, in addition to coaches, on-air broadcasters, and sports personalities and works in the areas of property sales and sponsorships, media advisory, brand consulting, venue development and strategic advisory, and executive search.

Founded in 1975, CAA is headquartered in Los Angeles, and has offices in New York, London, Nashville, Munich, Shanghai, Beijing, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Singapore, Toronto, Denver, Charlotte, Jacksonville, and Atlanta, among other locations globally.  For more information, please visit www.caa.com. 

OVERVIEW

The Office of the Chief Legal Officer at CAA provides dedicated legal support in the areas of litigation, corporate transactions, compliance, advice and counseling, and governmental affairs. We support CAA’s needs when it comes to commercial, talent agency and employment laws, among other legal areas. 

The OCLO’s employment law team plays an important part in managing the agency’s compliance with all applicable employment laws, providing advice and counsel to the business, supporting workplace culture as well as diversity and inclusion efforts. The new role will report to the Senior Legal Counsel, Employment (UK, EMEA and APAC) based in London and also work closely with the Deputy General Counsel, Litigation & Employment and the wider employment law team based in Los Angeles, along with the UK and global HR teams. 

Every member of CAA’s legal team is expected to be a values-driven, results-oriented leader who provides legal services with the highest level of professionalism, competence and efficacy. 

THE ROLE

This new role will provide day-to-day advice and counsel to the International and Global Human Resources teams and business leaders, draft various employment-related documents, and support other employment-law related matters, including researching and drafting policies and procedures, and drafting various types of employment-related documents. They will work with the Senior Employment Counsel and the other members of the Employment Legal team to provide efficient and high-quality service to internal and external stakeholders; implement employment law best practices in a rapidly growing and fast paced Company; and support the business needs of the Company and its employees. The ideal candidate will have broad UK employment law experience, with experience in assisting to co-ordinate, or contributing to, multi-disciplinary or multi-jurisdictional projects. Wider European, Middle Eastern and/or Asian employment law knowledge would also be preferred.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide advice and counsel on all employment related matters, such as employee relations, employee compensation and benefits, performance and disciplinary matters, immigration compliance, employment agreements, workplace policies, regulatory compliance (including pensions), and employment disputes and litigation.

• Perform job duties consistent with safety, legal and regulatory requirements, as well as CAA’s culture and business objectives.

• Maintain a strong moral compass and act within a defined ethical code of conduct that is in alignment with CAA’s values.

• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies.

• Identify and assess legal risks and opportunities and advise accordingly.

• Independently, efficiently and quickly handle legal matters and projects with support from the Senior Employment Counsel.

• Recognise when to elevate matters to Senior Employment Counsel.

• Work closely with those across the various CAA business lines including other members of the UK Legal team, the Legal team based in the US (including Employment, Litigation, Immigration, and Compliance), the tax team, and members of the Business Affairs teams.

• Work with outside counsel on employment related matters as required.

• Educate, and provide training to, business partners and stakeholders on legal matters, policies and procedures.

• Maintain confidentiality.

• Perform other tasks as assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Strong academic background: LLB (Hons), BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) 2:1 or above and (if relevant) Graduate Diploma in Law Merit and above; LPC Merit and above.

• Qualified Solicitor (England and Wales).

• At least 7+ years of substantive UK employment law experience, working in private practice preferred. Experience of working in-house (including client secondments) is essential.

• Knowledge of and experience with wider European or Asian employment law would also be beneficial. A willingness to learn employment laws in new jurisdictions is a must.

• Knowledge of and experience with employment-adjacent matters (such as employment tax, payroll, benefits, pensions, immigration and global mobility matters) would also be beneficial, but not essential. A willingness to learn new skills in these areas (with support and guidance) is a must. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.

• Strong command of the Microsoft Office suite; in particular, Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Great at multi-tasking, working well under pressure, and meeting tight deadlines.

• Have a creative and proactive approach to solving problems. Solutions focused.

• Collaborative and works in tandem with colleagues.

• Willing to work extended hours when necessary to connect with colleagues or external advisors from other regions.

• Consultative and proactive; good business sense and a sense of urgency, honesty and fairness.

• Able to take direction and manage and “own” projects from beginning to end with a sense of follow through.

• Exceptionally detail oriented and organised but also able to see the “big picture”.

• Excellent legal drafting skills; some transactional experience preferred.

• Self-confident and inspires confidence from business leaders.