Senior Manager

Edelman; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Edelman in Mumbai is seeking a Business Affairs Senior Manager to partner with Brand, Creative, Production and Influencer teams as the APAC business grows in India. The role emphasizes risk management, drafting and negotiating third-party agreements, and coordinating with internal and external counsel to secure rights for campaigns across digital, experiential and traditional media.

You will oversee contract workflows, approvals and licensing processes, ensuring compliance and timely delivery

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of legal contract provisions, especially licensing vs assignment/ownership.
• Working knowledge of the commercial/film production industry.
• Experience managing legal contracting processes for Talent and Influencer contracts.
• Experience in Integrated and Influencer Marketing with on- and off-camera talent.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Ability to identify legal issues early in production and manage risks.
• Ability to handle multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience navigating redlines and contract discussions with stakeholders.
• 6–8 years of related work experience in an agency business affairs environment.

Responsibilities

• With support of the Regional Business Affairs Lead implement agency policy and process regarding risk management, third party contract management, production workflow to teams and senior management.
• Draft and assist in the progress of third-party agreements including but not limited to production, talent, celebrity, influencer, and brand partnerships.
• Provide counsel and mitigation strategies for risks associated with content programs and contracting in digital, experiential, print, creator, and influencer.
• Review and counsel on client Statements of Work and liaise with External Legal Counsel.
• Work closely with internal and external legal counsel in resolving potential production liabilities and creating solutions for agency and clients.
• Handle third-party clearances and licensing (including music, stock images, etc.) necessary for production or creative execution.
• Facilitate production and talent invoice approvals and payment.
• Review all finished assets for rights and clearance compliance prior to delivery.
• Arranging and declaring appropriate insurances if required to do so.
• Track and maintain meticulous records for all third-party material licenses.
• Facilitate brand partnerships or co-promotional agreements between clients and third parties.

Skills

Legal contract provisions

Commercial/film production knowledge

Talent & Influencer contracts

Integrated & Influencer Marketing

Negotiation skills

Risk assessment

Project management

Job description

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum.

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

The role

The Business Affairs Senior Manager role will partner with the Brand, Creative, Production, Influencer, and other teams in the business to provide services with minimal oversight. We are looking to bring a new team member on board for this role as Business Affairs Manager as the APAC business continues to grow– and there is now the need for an additional business affairs resource in India. This role reports to the Regional Business Affairs Lead, APAC and will help to elevate and grow the business affairs function within the Indian Market.

Key Responsibilities

• With support of the Regional Business Affairs Lead implement agency policy and process regarding risk management, third party contract management, production workflow to teams and senior management.


• Draft and assist in the progress of third-party agreements including but not limited to production, talent, celebrity, influencer, and brand partnerships.
  
  
  
  • A high degree of confidentiality and discretion are expected in regard- to all matters and documents.
  
  
  
  


• Provide counsel and mitigation strategies for risks associated with content programs and contracting in digital, experiential, print, creator, and influencer.
  
  
  
  • Identify and flag risks relating to intellectual property, the regulatory environment, Union concerns, etc.
  
  
  
  


• Review and counsel on client Statements of Work


• Liaise between internal teams and External Legal Counsel to address any specific legal/liability issues arising from a particular production or creative execution.


• Work closely with internal and external legal counsel in resolving potential production liabilities and creating solutions for agency and clients.


• Handle third-party clearances and licensing (including music, stock images, etc.) necessary for production or creative execution.


• Facilitate production and talent invoice approvals and payment.


• Review all finished assets for rights and clearance compliance prior to delivery.


• Arranging and declaring appropriate insurances if required to do so.


• Track and maintain meticulous records for all third-party material licenses.


• Facilitate brand partnerships or co-promotional agreements between clients and third parties.

Job Specifications /Qualifications

• Basic understanding of legal contract provisions - especially licensing vs assignment/ownership.


• Working knowledge of the commercial/film production industry


• Experience managing legal contracting processes for Talent and Influencer contracts.


• Experience working in Integrated and Influencer Marketing, with on and off camera and celebrities all desirable.


• Strong negotiating skills.


• Ability to identify legal issues from an early stage in the production process and manage and communicate associated risks.


• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment, managing urgent deadlines while setting expectations with colleagues and organizing, tracking, and reporting a variety of production details.


• Ability to work on multiple and often complex projects with a fast turn-around.


• Proven problem solver and critical thinker.


• Ability to manage projects with minimal daily oversite, with awareness of when to elevate to legal or management.


• Knowledge and experience of working in an agency environment, understanding the needs and managing the expectations of key stakeholders.


• Working and developing relationships with in-house producers, account teams and external vendors.


• Experience navigating redlines reviews and facilitating contracts conversations between stakeholders to close deals, preferred but not required


• 6-8 years of related work experience in an agency business affairs environment.