Manager, Contracts & Business Affairs

Hachette UK; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 annual leave days

Private medical insurance

Summer hours

Cycle to Work scheme

Up to 70% off book purchases

Job summary

A leading publishing company in the UK is seeking a Manager for Contracts & Business Affairs. This role involves negotiating contracts and providing legal support to editorial teams. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the publishing sector and advanced negotiation skills. The position allows for a hybrid work model, based in London or Sheffield, with a mix of in-office and remote work.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in the publishing, media or entertainment sectors.
• Thorough understanding of copyright and contract law.
• Ability to build positive working relationships.

Responsibilities

• Ensure contracts are drafted and negotiated to high standards.
• Advise editorial and publishing teams on contractual elements.
• Take part in IP creation projects.

Skills

Experience in contracts or business affairs/legal in publishing

Advanced drafting skills

Effective negotiation abilities

Understanding of copyright and contract law

Advanced skills in Microsoft Office 365

Commercial awareness and financial literacy

Ability to communicate effectively

Job description

Manager, Contracts & Business Affairs

Hachette UK

Location: London (hybrid) or Sheffield (hybrid)

Overview

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Contracts & Business Affairs, the successful candidate will work across Little, Brown Book Group, providing support to the LBBG contracts team.

Responsibilities

• Ensure contracts are drafted and negotiated to high standards within company policy and KPIs.
• Advise editorial and publishing teams on contractual elements of acquisitions.
• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and amendments.
• Draft, check and amend other contractual paperwork, including addenda, novations, reversions and cancellations.
• Handle internal and external contract queries.
• Take part in IP creation projects in an advisory role.
• Assist in training and developing junior colleagues, including potential line management.
• Build and maintain successful working relationships with colleagues at all levels.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in contracts or business affairs/legal in publishing, media or entertainment sectors.
• Advanced drafting skills.
• Ability to conduct effective negotiations.
• Thorough understanding of copyright and contract law; relevant knowledge of other intellectual property law e.g. trademarks.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office 365.
• Knowledge of, or aptitude for, relevant applications/systems.
• Commercial awareness and financial literacy.
• Ability to communicate and build positive working relationship with contacts at all levels.

Benefits

• 28 annual leave days per year, increases to 29 days after 2 years’ service and up to 30 days after 5 years (+ bank holidays).
• Private medical insurance.
• 2 community days per year.
• Summer hours (finishing at 1pm on Fridays during the summer months).
• Retail discounts through Hachette rewards.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Wide-ranging training library.
• Development programmes (including mentoring).
• Up to 70% off book purchases.
• A charity bookshelf.
• 12 Staff‑led employee networks that are voluntary, including AgeWise, Gender Balance, Thrive, Pride, All Together, Wellbeing and religious networks.
• Season ticket loans.
• And much more!

The role will be based at our London or Sheffield office, with a blend of in‑office (3 days) and homeworking (2 days) per week.

Hachette employs people on the basis of their abilities. We aim to attract and develop talent from a wide range of backgrounds. If you are shortlisted and need adjustments for interview, please let us know.