Manager, Legal and Business Affairs

ITV; London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading media company in London is seeking a driven Legal & Business Affairs Manager to support its Global Content Team. This role involves negotiating international distribution rights for various television programmes and formats, fostering relationships with producers, and contributing to ITV’s global content strategy. The ideal candidate is a qualified lawyer with significant experience in the media sector and strong commercial acumen.

Qualifications

• 4+ years PQE as a guide, ideally with focus on intellectual property.
• Experience working in a busy, deadline-driven environment handling multiple deals.
• Experience advising on chain of title and rights positions.

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and advise on international distribution agreements.
• Develop relationships with external producers and Global Content Team.
• Support the development of rights systems across the business.

Skills

Commercially minded lawyer

Experience in TV and/or digital distribution

Knowledge of rights breakdown

Curiosity about media/film and television

Understanding commercial drivers for ITV businesses

Education

Qualified lawyer

Job description

Overview

The Role

The team...

The "Rights-In" ITV Studios Global Partnerships Legal and Business affairs team provides support to the ITV Studios Global Partnerships Content team (the "Global Content Team"), in acquiring distribution rights in scripted and non-scripted television programmes and formats.

The content we acquire covers a wide range of genres from high-end drama (Vigil), comedy (Brassic), reality/entertainment (Love Island, The Jonathan Ross Show), gameshows, documentaries and natural history (Mr Bates v The Post Office: The Real Story).

The role...

We are in need of a Legal & Business Affairs Manager who is confident and driven to join us on a permanent basis. This is an outstanding opportunity to step into a fast-paced role at the heart of ITV Studios Global Partnerships supporting the Global Content Team.

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You'll be leading negotiations on exciting commercial deals with credible production companies and content suppliers, helping bring outstanding programmes to audiences around the world. From acquisitions and co-productions, you'll play a key role in crafting ITV's global content footprint. With plenty of variety, you'll develop and coordinate deal frameworks, streamline workflows, and ensure our agreements are both commercially savvy and aligned with ITV's values. This is your chance to create a positive change on a worldwide platform, working closely with partners both inside and outside the organisation across multiple markets.

Some of your key day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Negotiate, draft, and advise on agreements for and related to the acquisition of international distribution rights in television programmes, and formats ("rights-in") both scripted and non-scripted from producers globally.
• Develop strong relationships with external producers, Global Content Team, and ITV Studios.
• Assisting with and undertaking any other activities within the department as reasonably required (such as amendment letters).
• Advising on chain of title to establish the company's rights position in Programmes.
• Stay informed on emerging media trends and business models to support best commercial practices.
• Support development of rights systems and processes across the business.

Skills you\'ll need (minimum criteria)

• A qualified lawyer with a focus on intellectual property, ideally with experience in TV and/or digital distribution (4+ years PQE as a guide). Previous in-house experience would be an advantage.
• A commercially minded lawyer with experience of working in a busy, deadline driven environment, handling high volume of deals, within short timelines and a number of contending priorities.
• Knowledge of the breakdown of rights in television and films.
• A curiosity about the media/film and television.
• An understanding of the commercial drivers for the ITV businesses.

Other things we\'re looking for (key criteria)

• A standout colleague and an effective communicator who can develop and maintain effective internal and external relationships.
• A flexible, resilient, hardworking collaborator with a 'can do' demeanour.
• Excellent time management skills and an ability to handle a full workload for multiple collaborators.
• A collaborator with key ITV teams, including Compliance, other ITV Legal and Business Affairs teams, Finance, Sales, Regulatory Affairs, Marketing, Press and Publicity.
• Able to apply critical thinking, resolve problems under pressure and make accurate assessments of critical issues.
• To be aware of market trends and changes in the media landscape to ensure best commercial practice

Please note, on occasion we may receive a very large volume of applications which means applications for a role may close earlier than the referenced closing date. We\'d encourage you to apply as soon as possible if interested.