Business Affairs Manager,

Confidential; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential agency in the United Kingdom seeks a senior professional to oversee production business affairs across digital, broadcast, social, experiential, and creator-led campaigns. You will manage talent contracting, negotiations, and clearance workflows across the EMEA region, working with legal teams and account partners.

This seat reports to the VP of Business Affairs and requires strong negotiation and compliance skills.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business affairs at an ad agency, media studio, production firm, or brand-side team, or a UK lawyer with 2+ PQE in media/IP law.
• Strong drafting of talent/creator agreements from templates.
• Clear understanding of rights clearance, music synchronization, and stock assets.

Responsibilities

• Draft, execute, and administer production documentation including talent contracts and release forms.
• Lead fee negotiations with creators and agents and coordinate disbursement through platforms.
• Secure IP, stock footage, and music clearances (PPL/MCPS/PRS for Music) and manage licenses.
• Track rights portfolios and monitor license expirations for renewals.
• Evaluate materials for compliance with client guidelines, platform policies, and regulatory codes.
• Maintain UK GDPR compliance for creator and talent data.

Skills

Negotiation

Drafting

Risk assessment

Compliance

Communication

Organization

Education

UK-qualified lawyer with 2+ PQE

Tools

Contracts templates

Rights clearance platforms

Payroll platforms

Job description

Company Overview: We are a modern global creative and media agency, operating as a social-first, integrated marketing partner. We help brands stay relevant by translating audience insight into strategies that drive measurable business outcomes. Our work is grounded in a deep understanding of how people engage with content, platforms, and brands in a rapidly evolving media landscape.

About the Role: You will independently oversee production business affairs across digital, broadcast, social, experiential, and creator-led campaigns. Working alongside producers, project management, and legal teams, you will manage talent contracting, commercial negotiations, and clearance workflows across the EMEA region. The position balances day-to-day legal operations with proactive risk assessment, escalating complex regulatory matters to senior agency counsel. This seat reports to the VP of Business Affairs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Draft, execute, and administer production documentation, including talent and creator contracts, location and materials releases, Statements of Work, and paid amplification or whitelisting terms.
• Lead fee negotiations directly with creators and talent agents, coordinate disbursement through platforms and payroll partners, and forecast project buyout and usage renewal costs.
• Secure intellectual property, stock footage, and music clearances (including PPL, MCPS, and PRS for Music), and coordinate child performance licensing and chaperone arrangements under UK local authority standards.
• Track rights portfolios and license expirations, proactively advising account teams on upcoming renewals and term limits.
• Evaluate creative materials (treatments, storyboards, and edits) to ensure compliance with client guidelines, platform policies, Clearcast standards, BCAP and CAP Codes, and CMA/ASA disclosure frameworks.
• Collaborate with producers and senior legal counsel to refine standard agreement templates, conduct risk assessments, and maintain UK GDPR compliance for all talent personal data.

Qualifications:

• Proven experience in business affairs at an advertising agency, media studio, commercial production firm, or brand-side team managing multi-platform productions (or a qualified UK lawyer with 2+ years PQE in media, advertising, or IP law).
• Demonstrated skill in drafting comprehensive talent, creator, and influencer agreements from standard templates using deal memos.
• Comprehensive understanding of rights clearance, stock asset acquisition, and music synchronization across digital, social, and television channels.
• Solid operational knowledge of linear TV, social, and digital production and post-production workflows.
• Familiarity with UK industry standard guidelines and documentation, including IPA and APA frameworks.
• Practical understanding of UK advertising regulations and guidance, including Clearcast clearance processes, BCAP and CAP Codes, and CMA/ASA disclosure principles.
• Operational knowledge of UK GDPR principles as applied to managing creator and talent data.
• Strong commercial negotiation abilities coupled with precise written and verbal communication.
• High degree of organizational ownership, meticulous attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving capabilities.
• Familiarity with MENA or European regional markets, or proficiency in an additional European language, is advantageous.

Work Authorization : Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. All applicants must currently possess the legal right to work in the UK.