Business Affairs Lead

EU010 Daniel J. Edelman Limited; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman is seeking an experienced Business Affairs professional to partner with Brand, Creative, Production, and Influencer teams in the UK market. The role reports to the Global Head of Business Affairs and focuses on elevating the business affairs function within the UK.

Responsibilities include risk management, complex agreement reviews, and collaboration with internal and external counsel to mitigate liabilities in digital, experiential, and broadcast content.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of legal contract provisions—licensing vs ownership.
• Manage legal contracting processes for Talent and Influencer Agreements.
• Experience in Integrated and Influencer Marketing with on/off camera talent.

Responsibilities

• Recommend and implement agency policy on risk and third party contracts.
• Review complex agreements including talent, influencer and brand partnerships.
• Provide counsel on risks in content programs and contracting across media.
• Collaborate between Production and Legal to address liability issues.
• Review assets for compliance prior to delivery and manage licenses.

Skills

Contract management

Negotiation

Risk assessment

Influencer contracts

Legal compliance

UK law

Tools

PIBS knowledge

CAA

Clearcast

Job description

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. The business affairs role will partner with the Brand, Creative, Production, Influencer, and other teams in the business to manage projects with minimal oversight. We are looking to bring a team member on board for this role. This role reports to the Global Head of Business Affairs and will help to elevate and grow the business affairs function within the UK Market.

Key Responsibilities:

• Recommend and assist in implementing agency policy and process regarding risk management, third party contract management, production workflow to teams and senior management.
• Facilitate and review complex agreements including but not limited to talent, celebrity, influencer, and brand partnerships.
• A high degree of confidentiality and discretion are expected in regard- to all matters and documents.
• Experience navigating redlines reviews and facilitating contracts conversations between stakeholders to close deals.
• 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 Statements of Work Liaise between Production and Legal to address any specific legal/liability issues arising from a particular production.
• Knowledge of PIBS and general production agreements, media buys, and Insertion Orders.
• Work closely with internal and external legal counsel in resolving potential project liabilities and creating solutions for agency and clients.
• Handle third-party clearances and licensing (including music, stock images, software, etc.) necessary for content delivery.
• Approve and facilitate production and talent invoice approvals, and payment.
• Knowledge and Experience with Clearcast, CAA, and Radio Centre, preferred, along with a general understanding of UK broadcast processes.
• Review all finished assets for compliance prior to delivery.
• Securing appropriate insurances Track and maintain meticulous records for all third-party material licenses.

Job Specifications /Qualifications:

• Basic understanding of legal contract provisions - especially licensing vs assignment/ownership Manage legal contracting processes for Talent and Influencer Agreements.
• 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, providing practical solutions where necessary.
• Should feel comfortable in a fast-paced environment, managing urgent deadlines while setting expectations with colleagues, organising, and reporting a variety of production details.
• Ability to work on multiple and often complex projects with a fast turn-around.
• Proven problem solver.
• Ability to manage projects with minor daily oversite, with awareness of when to elevate to legal or management.
• Knowledge and experience of working in an agency environment, understanding the needs and managing the expectations of key stakeholders accross multiple clients.
• Working and developing relationships with in-house producers, account teams and external vendors.
• 10+ years of related work experience in an agency business affairs environment.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. It started with one man’s passion to make an impact through stories… 70 years later, we are the world’s largest communications firm, which fosters an environment where people feel empowered to take the kind of bold action that makes careers, reshapes industries, and creates the unexpected. We are one global team, over 6,000 strong across 60 offices, grounded by our shared values.

We promise an experience where our employees see that boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. Since Dan Edelman founded the firm in 1952, we have remained an independent, family-run business, and our culture is one that brings understanding, collaboration, and respect to our work and to each other. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our clients, and our communities, and propel us forward as a company. At Edelman, we are in relentless pursuit of a fair and inspiring workplace that is respectful to all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust and collaboration. Each day and on each project, we strive to ensure that our colleagues feel a sense of true inclusion and belonging and can bring their best to their work— taking action and shaping impactful moments and movements within our company, on behalf of our clients, and within communities around the globe.

The relentless pursuit of excellence The freedom to be constantly curious The courage to do the right thing The commitment to positively impact society. We grow our people We invite and celebrate differences Our reputation is our brand We’re global, yet local We offer more than just a career – we offer a place to grow, make a meaningful impact, and help drive change alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our culture is built on trust, innovation, and inclusivity, where unique perspectives are not only welcomed, but celebrated. At Edelman, your ambitions are supported, your voice matters and your work contributes to shaping the future of communications and clients’ business.