Business Development Consultant

ITV plc.; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in Cardiff is seeking a qualified solicitor in Legal and Business Affairs to manage agreements for acquiring distribution rights. The ideal candidate will have 2-4+ years of PQE, strong commercial/IP experience in the media sector, and excellent negotiation skills. You will draft and negotiate various agreements while building relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This role is full-time with a fixed-term contract offering a competitive salary and requires a commitment to workplace engagement 2-3 days per week.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial/IP experience in TV, film, digital distribution, or related media.
• Experience managing a portfolio of deals in a deadline-driven environment.
• Understanding of rights breakdown in television or film.

Responsibilities

• Draft and negotiate agreements for rights acquisition.
• Review additional agreements like development and funding agreements.
• Establish strong working relationships with external producers.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Strong communication

Team player

Critical thinking

Negotiation skills

Education

Qualified solicitor with 2-4+ years PQE

Job description

Business Area: Legal and Business Affairs
Contract Type: Fixed Term Full Time
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000
Workplace: ITV London, Whitecity – expectation is 2‑3 days in the office per week.
Closing Date: 4th January 2026

The Rights‑In ITV Studios Global Partnerships Legal and Business Affairs team supports the ITV Studios Global Content Team, responsible for acquiring distribution rights in scripted and non‑scripted television programmes and formats.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate and advise on agreements for the acquisition of rights (“rights‑in”) in scripted and non‑scripted television programmes and formats.
• Review, draft, negotiate and advise on additional agreements underpinning rights acquisition, such as development agreements, option agreements and funding agreements.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with external producers and relevant internal stakeholders.
• Advise on chain of title, including complex IP positions, to confirm ITV’s rights status in acquired programmes.
• Advise on ancillary issues, including music rights, programme information, materials delivery and related rights queries.
• Liaise with Contracts/Rights teams to confirm availability of rights, ensure alignment with Rights Systems and support accurate rights entry across systems.
• Attend departmental and inter‑departmental meetings to support business objectives, flag legal issues and contribute to commercial planning.
• Assist with wider departmental activities as required, including amendment letters and other ad‑hoc matters.
• Attend routine meetings with your line manager to review workload, ongoing negotiations, contentious matters and deal progress.

Minimum Qualifications

• A qualified solicitor with 2‑4+ years PQE (or equivalent) and strong commercial/IP experience, ideally within TV, film, digital distribution or related media sectors.
• Experience managing a portfolio of deals in a busy, deadline‑driven environment.
• Strong understanding of the breakdown of rights in television and/or film.
• Commercial awareness and understanding of the commercial drivers across the ITV Studios business.
• Genuine interest in the media, film and television industries.

Key Candidate Attributes

• Team player and effective communicator, able to build strong internal and external relationships.
• Confident operating independently, leading negotiations and knowing when to elevate key issues.
• Excellent time‑management skills and ability to prioritise a varied workload.
• Solutions‑focused, proportionate approach with strong critical thinking skills.
• Ability to resolve problems under pressure and make accurate assessments of key issues.
• Collaborator across multiple ITV teams, including Legal & Business Affairs, Compliance, Finance, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, Press & Publicity.
• Awareness of market trends and changes in the media landscape to ensure best commercial practice.