The business affairs role will partner with the Brand, Creative, Production, Influencer, and other teams in the business to provide services with minimal oversight. We are looking to bring a new team member on board for this role as Business Affairs Manager as the Canadian business continues to grow– and there is now the need for an additional business affairs resource in Canada. This role reports to the Senior Business Affairs Manager and will help to elevate and grow the business affairs function within the Canadian Market.
Key Responsibilities:
- Support the Sr. Business Affairs Manager and assist in implementing agency policy and process regarding risk management, third party contract management, production workflow to teams and senior management.
- Draft and assist in the progress of third-party agreements including but not limited to production, talent, celebrity, influencer, and brand partnerships.
- A high degree of confidentiality and discretion are expected in regard- to all matters and documents.
- Provide counsel and mitigation strategies for risks associated with content programs and contracting in digital, experiential, print, creator, and influencer.
- Identify and flag risks relating to intellectual property, the regulatory environment, Union concerns, etc.
- Review and counsel on client Statements of Work
- Liaise between internal teams and Legal to address any specific legal/liability issues arising from a particular production or creative execution.
- Work closely with internal and external legal counsel in resolving potential production liabilities and creating solutions for agency and clients.
- Handle third-party clearances and licensing (including music, stock images, etc.) necessary for production or creative execution.
- Facilitate production and talent invoice approvals and payment.
- Review all finished assets for rights and clearance compliance prior to delivery.
- Arranging and declaring appropriate insurances if required to do so.
- Track and maintain meticulous records for all third-party material licenses.
- Facilitate brand partnerships or co-promotional agreements between clients and third parties.
Job Specifications /Qualifications:
- Basic understanding of legal contract provisions - especially licensing vs assignment/ownership.
- Working knowledge of the commercial/film production industry
- Experience managing legal contracting processes for Talent and Influencer contracts.
- Experience working in Integrated and Influencer Marketing, with on and off camera and celebrities all desirable.
- Strong negotiating skills.
- Ability to identify legal issues from an early stage in the production process and manage and communicate associated risks.
- Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, managing urgent deadlines while setting expectations with colleagues and organizing, tracking, and reporting a variety of production details.
- Ability to work on multiple and often complex projects with a fast turn-around.
- Proven problem solver and critical thinker.
- Ability to manage projects with minimal daily oversite, with awareness of when to escalate to legal or management.
- Knowledge and experience of working in an agency environment, understanding the needs and managing the expectations of key stakeholders.
- Working and developing relationships with in-house producers, account teams and external vendors.
- Experience navigating redlines reviews and facilitating contracts conversations between stakeholders to close deals, preferred but not required
- 3-5 years of related work experience in an agency business affairs environment.
