Mission

• Ensure the optimum legal and regulatory framework for PSM in a digital media ecosystem.
• Ensure legal security for Members by directing, guiding, supervising and managing the provision of legal advice on EU and national audiovisual matters.
• Advise and support the EBU management on all commercial and employment related legal issues, including contracts and compliance.
• Provide legal security for the EBU, through management of the Legal Department, statutory aspects of governance and the relevant Committees.
• The Director ensures that the Department continues to be a vital and respected partner for its Members and other stake holders. 

Influence

As a member of the EBU Management Committee the Director has an influence on all aspects of the EBU’s overall objectives, the overarching strategy and is supervising the implementation of the annual action plan. The Legal Director together with the Director of Public Affairs develop the EBU policies and recommend as well as implement the specific work plan in consultation with the respective committee and assembly.

Role

Responsibilities

• Management and Organisation: is responsible to the Director General for the effective performance of the department. 
• Manages a highly skilled team of recognized experts in their areas.
• Joint Secretary (with the Director of Public Affairs and Communications) of the Legal & Public Affairs Assembly and Legal & Policy Committee
• Secretary to the Statutes Group
• At any time, legal and public affairs groups are working on common policy positions, covering a wide range of issues (audio-visual media regulation, competition law, copyright, data protection and privacy, telecom related matters such as access an findability of PSM content etc. The Director understands these groups’ work and inspires them to be innovative, solution driven and successful.
• Definition and fulfilment of agreed Key Performance Indicators
• Regular reporting to EBU Management Committee on departmental issues and dossiers, plus reporting via the Director General’s report to Executive Board and General Assembly.
• Legal responsibility for EBU internal compliance
• Legal advice to Members & Society
• Monitors and analyses legal developments and case law; conducts or commissions enquiries or comparative studies on the legal situation in various countries.
• Represents the EBU in writing (e.g. drafting common positions) and orally (e.g. speaking at conferences, bilateral meetings), on PSM regulation and legal frameworks to the European Commission, the Council of Europe, the World  Intellectual Property Organisation, and upon request to Members’ individual national governments and regulators.
• Legal advice to EBU Permanent Services
• Provides legal advice to the EBU Permanent Services, including legal advice to Director General as well as to all EBU Departments.
• Deals with all questions pertaining to the EBU Statutes and ensures overall legal conformity of EBU contracts and documents.
• Initiates and operates appropriate compliance/risk management mechanisms including performing key role in EBU contract administration.
• Takes all necessary measures to protect the EBU, organizes representation and defence of the EBU in proceedings, including recourse to outside legal experts and oversees and is responsible for effective conduct of all EBU litigation
• Acts, in conjunction with HR; as a reference point for issues arising under the EBU Code of Ethics 

Cross-Department collaboration

• Constantly collaborates with the Sports Department, Network Department (contracts), Supporting Services (financials and staff reporting), Technology & Innovation Department (standards application), Media Department (contents and operations) particularly in relation to legal aspects of the Eurovision Song Contest live events. 

Application of Values  

•  She/he is essential to building a working culture, where team spirit, achieving results, driving innovation is rewarded. He/ she maintains the highest personal professional and ethical standards and constantly seeks to ensure these are reflected throughout the EBU. He/she applies and exemplifies the EBU values internally and externally: 

-Respect and Recognition

-Accountability and Responsibility

-Team spirit and Performance

-Service and Solutions

-Creativity and Innovation 

Independence of action

The Director has authority over, and responsibility for Department strategy, output, staff, and management. S/He works with a very large degree of independence, but in close cooperation with the Director General and the chair of the Legal & Policy Committee/Legal and Public Affairs Assembly.

Financial responsibilities

Is fully responsible for the cost-benefits of the Department, including budget and forecasting accuracy, and for cross Department projects.

Department annual budget: CHF 4 million approximately.

People Management

Responsible for ensuring, directly and indirectly, the right skills and motivation of staff, through adequate selection, assignments, training and development within the Department (currently 16 staff).

Attributes

• Communication/interpersonal skills
• Mediation and persuasion skills: must be self-confident in his/her knowledge and experience with a high degree of openness to others' opinions and a good sense of diplomacy
• Ability to build relationships of trust
• Excellent public speaker at all levels , including chairmanship

Frequency & nature of contacts

Internal: Frequent contacts with the Director General, CFAO, Head of Human Resources, other Directors, and key experts within Legal Department or in other Departments.

External: Regular contacts with the directors of the legal departments of EBU Members, and with Executive Board members and representatives of international organisations, including but not limited to European Commission, Council of Europe and European Parliament. . . Contacts with national representatives and governments.

Team spirit /Leadership

• Ability to lead, inspire and commit team
• Ability to share daily work and to collaborate on legal position papers with legal colleagues and experts in other departments.
• Ability to initiate, participate or lead interdisciplinary initiatives within the EBU.
• "Can-do spirit" and problem-solving abilities

Operational

• Excellent organization and prioritisation skills.
• Excellent writing & presentation skills.
• Ability to work in parallel on a variety of complex issues.
• Business-oriented individual with a strong commercial approach, when necessary.
• Capacity to mediate.
• Ability to remain highly productive and centred under pressure

Creativity/ Curiosity

• Ability to anticipate future developments.
• Development of strategies and proposals vis-à-vis international institutions. 
• Drawing up position papers and legislative proposals.
• Preparing presentations/speeches.
• Qualifications & Experience

Education

Post-graduate university degree in law, or other appropriate legal qualification

Languages

Excellent knowledge, oral & written, of both official EBU languages (French & English). Other European languages desirable.

Experience

• Extensive experience of European broadcasting law, regulation, and policies
• Good knowledge of the EBU and Members
• Will have a political flair, with a diplomatic touch but is at the same time energetic and driven to inspire and lead others towards commonly agreed goals
• Demonstrates an excellent level of maturity and confidence
• Displays a sociable personality
• Track record of being a good team-player
• Proven track record of successful people management experience.

Additional Information

More info in the job descriptions, in English and French, attached.

We will not accept any applications after the closing date and we will contact  the candidates directly.

For any further questions concerning the position, please contact Frode Hvaring, Head of HR, via email hvaring@ebu.ch .

ONLY APPLICATIONS VIA OUR RECRUITMENT PORTAL WILL BE CONSIDERED.