A wholly-owned commercial subsidiary of the BBC, BBC Studios is a global creative powerhouse for the development, production and distribution of bold, British content. We produce over 2,500 hours of content per year, have offices in 22 markets globally, including seven production bases in the UK and production bases and partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. The business generates revenue of £1.4bn, returning around £200m profit to BBC Public Service each year. In the UK, BBC Studios enables audiences to enjoy their favourite BBC programmes and brands outside the licence fee-funded window on alternative platforms, through a range of partnerships, and in multiple formats, from products and magazines to events and experiences.

We have an opportunity for a Business Affairs Assistant who is passionate about television production and looking to build a career within the BBC Studios family. This role is a pivotal, multi-skilled function with a key focus on attention to detail, within the Business Affairs team. The Business Affairs Assistant will provide contract administration services, assist with programme clearance queries, negotiate writer, actor and stunt performer fees and undertake legal research across the Scripted genre.

The Scripted Business Affairs team supports many of the BBC’s high profile flagship series such as Doctor Who, Silent Witness, EastEnders, Inside Number 9, Two Doors Down, Mrs Browns Boys, as well as exciting productions for other commissioning platforms such as Apple TV (“Trying”), UKTV (“We Hunt Together”) and Amazon (“Good Omens”). We also look after a busy and successful audio slate, including long-running favourites; “I’m Sorry We Haven’t A Clue”, “The Now Show”, “Dead Ringers” and “The News Quiz”. This is a dynamic team that sits in the heart of Production, offering valued commercial, legal and practical business affairs support and advice to the Drama, Continuing Drama and Comedy Scripted Production teams and editorial leads.

Production is a fast-paced but exciting world, and our team plays an integral part in ensuring that all our scripted development and production content is delivered to the high standards for which BBC Studios is globally recognised.

Role Responsibility

In this role you’ll have exposure to writer, actor and stunt deals, supporting our agent relations, and liaising with production and casting teams to negotiate appropriate deals within strict budgetary limits. You will liaise with production offices, other key internal editorial leads, and a range of external contacts on matters relating to talent agreements.

You will carry out rights clearances as required by Production and assist in reconciling contracts in preparation for any repeat or further use payments. Also, you will research and identify rights holders of copyright, provide fee and clearance information to production teams (including for archive material) and issue all subsequent documentation.

This role will include various administrative duties; cross-referencing data for accuracy, data entry, issuing of basic agreements, facilitating payments, and creating, maintaining, and updating records and spreadsheets. You’ll provide comprehensive contract and business affairs administration, offering guidance and advice as required.

You will ensure the maintenance of data integrity to the highest standards within the bespoke BBC Studios contracting systems in a timely and accurate manner to produce necessary contractual documentation.

You will act as a point of contact and maintain excellent relations with all external stakeholders, managing all routine queries effectively and efficiently. You’ll liaise with third parties to ensure timely delivery of contractual paperwork from generation through to signature.

The Ideal Candidate

At BBC Studios, we seek people who are passionate about who we are and what we do

The Business Affairs Assistant role is an important function within the team and is an exciting step for someone passionate about television production and learning legal principles. Having had experience working in a commercial environment, you will be familiar with working effectively at pace in a busy team.  

Exposure to a broadcast or legal environment is desirable and you may have some knowledge of rights clearances relating to media activity. Overall, you will passionately demonstrate an awareness of programme-making, deal-making, and interest in industry-standard rates for writers, actors, and stunt people in the Scripted genre. 

The successful candidate will have an awareness of setting up and maintaining appropriate administration systems and be accomplished in administering accurate data entry. You will be adept at using Excel, with the ability to manipulate data and perform basic analysis.

You’ll possess strong attention to detail, always be willing to learn, and be able to work independently as well as be a team player. You will have an ability to communicate effectively and be confident at forming and maintaining partnerships across the business, working effectively with a variety of stakeholders, particularly internal production and editorial leads, ensuring business synergies.

#youmakethebbc

Package Description

Band: B

Contract type: Permanent

Location: TVC, London W12

Working pattern: Hybrid Working (Home and up to 2-3 days per week in the office)

We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact us on resourcing@bbc.co.uk with the job reference in the subject. We advertise all our roles on Evenbreak, the specialist job board for disabled candidates

Flexible / agile working - opportunities across the business. We’re happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at offer stage.

Excellent career progression – the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.

Unrivalled training and development opportunities – our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.

Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35 hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.