Head of Media Rights & Adaptation

Consult; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Penguin Random House UK is seeking a Head of Media Rights to lead our rights activities and unlock opportunities across film, TV and theatre. You will identify adaptation prospects, negotiate ambitious deals and manage complex relationships with authors, agents and producers.

Reporting into the Group Rights Director, you will oversee diverse titles—from children’s brands to crime fiction—driving international opportunities and collaborations while staying ahead in a fast-moving media landscape.

Qualifications

• Experience in media/entertainment rights (film, TV, theatre)
• Strong copyright/IP understanding or related contracts
• Established network across film/TV and entertainment
• Excellent negotiation and deal-making skills
• Knowledge of current entertainment trends and landscape
• Excellent communication and relationship-building with authors, agents and producers
• Entrepreneurial and proactive approach to identifying opportunities

Responsibilities

• Identifying books with potential for adaptation for TV, film and theatre
• Advise on new acquisitions with editorial, contracts and legal teams
• Researching, planning and pitching titles and authors for adaptation opportunities
• Negotiating deals, including auctions, on behalf of authors with buyers
• Work with legal to establish terms and conditions for rights sales
• Managing ongoing deals with external and internal stakeholders
• Guiding authors through the adaptation process
• Building networks across the media industry
• Staying up to date with media and entertainment landscape
• Occasional travel to international industry events and conferences

Skills

Media rights experience

Negotiation skills

Intellectual property knowledge

Industry network

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Proactive mindset

Job description

Penguin Random House UK is seeking a Head of Media Rights to lead our rights activities and unlock opportunities across film, TV and theatre. You will identify adaptation prospects, negotiate ambitious deals and manage complex relationships with authors, agents and producers.

Reporting into the Group Rights Director, you will oversee diverse titles—from children’s brands to crime fiction—driving international opportunities and collaborations while staying ahead in a fast-moving media landscape.