The Role: Senior Business and Legal Affairs Manager

The newly created Productions division has a 12months maternity cover opportunity for a Senior Business and Legal Affairs Manager to join the team to provide business and legal affairs support. The new division combines the previous divisions of BBC Studios Productions and Content Partnerships to bring together BBC Studios’ production, content investment, talent relations and IP pipeline.  You will focus on supporting our relationship with independent producers working with the Scripted genre team, dealing with financing and acquisition of Drama, Comedy and Children’s programming. 

As a team, we have been at the forefront of key deals with Global SVOD partners and co-producers including HBO for the standout Michaela Coel BBC series â€œI May Destroy You” and Amazon for the BBC series â€œThe Outlaws”.  Recent titles include â€œMood” for BBC Three and BBC America produced by Bonafide, â€œThis is Going to Hurt” for BBC and AMC produced by Sister Pictures and â€œChivalry” for Channel 4 produced by Baby Cow.

In addition to investing in programming developed and created by others, BBC Studios is increasingly investing in intellectual property directly and developing content through direct relationships with writers, format creators and rights holders. We are passionate about developing the next generation of writing and other creative talent and run a number of initiatives to do just that.

Why Join BBC Studios!

BBC Studios is a global business of scale, able to fund, create, distribute and commercialise premium content for the BBC and other companies both in the UK and internationally. Working with the best writers, directors, and programme-makers, BBC Studios champions creativity, crafting over 2500 hours of content every year through eight production bases in the UK and production bases and partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. And that’s not all, BBC Studios are a committed partner to the UK’s thriving independent production community, as well as other broadcasters and digital platforms, delivering content that showcases the best of British and Global talent, stamped with the hallmark of quality. Our content encompasses a uniquely broad range of specialisms from Entertainment, Music, and Live Events to Natural History, Drama, Comedy, and now Children’s & Education.

Role Responsibility

Advise the business in a practical and commercially focussed way on all legal matters and engage in business affairs deal-making to support the team partnering with and acquiring content from independent producers in order for them to meet strategic goals and priorities.   

Take the lead on business affairs deal-making particularly in relation to complex and innovative projects for the Scripted genres as required by the Head of Business & Legal Affairs or Director of Commercial & Legal Affairs.

Prior to the release of any investment moneys, draft and negotiate development and distribution agreements with producers to secure distribution rights.

Review and advise upon existing development, output and equity relationships we have in place with a number of Independent producers including Baby Cow and Various Artists.

Review (i) agreements between the commissioner and the producer (ii) agreements with producers, directors, writers, composers and other contributors’ contracts, underlying rights agreements such as book agreements, and format and third party distribution agreements for chain of title purposes.

Collaborate with our regional teams in relation to co-production sales agreements, typically with US cable, premium cable operators, PBS or pan-regional SVOD operators in order to ensure such agreements work in conjunction with our distribution agreement with the producer.

Advice on drafting and negotiating development agreements and option agreements with writers and other rights holders.

Manage, motivate and develop assigned staff including, where necessary, assisting with recruitment and assisting the Head of Business & Legal Affairs to build a high calibre team with the skills and capabilities to deliver the required results.

The Ideal Candidate

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

As a qualified solicitor (or equivalent), you’ll have trained in private practice and/or in a commercial organisation and have more than five years’ post-qualification experience. Experience in drafting and negotiating distribution, production and commissioning agreements is essential, in addition to a sound understanding of the areas of contract and intellectual property law applicable to audiovisual production and distribution. You will also be familiar with supporting production and financing agreements, such as inter-party agreements, book options, format agreements, writers agreements and contributor agreements.

Knowledge of television production including sources of finance, talent contracting (particularly UK guild/union agreements), the production processes and conventions would be highly advantageous. In addition to knowledge of the legal framework of the UK broadcasting industry and commercial practice, you’ll possess an understanding of the legal aspects of contracts, rights and clearances.

Culture in our business is what sets us apart from our competitors. With a sense of self-awareness and a collaborative communication style, you are accomplished in influencing at all levels without reference to hierarchy. You see the value in establishing a rapport with stakeholders and peers alike, developing effective relationships, affording you the platform to remain confident and assured in difficult circumstances, and possess the resilience and stamina to sustain performance, particularly when under pressure.

With established skills, your proficient time-management and prioritisation skills result in proficient workload management, without direction. You will be able to advise colleagues with confidence and be prepared to make informed commercial decisions where required. As a manager, you will demonstrate leadership and mentoring skills to develop and motivate those around you.

BBC Studios is committed to supporting you and your career development. You can expect us to challenge you in your role and offer guidance, training and support to achieve your goals.