Manager, Business Affairs

We Are Saatchi; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Saatchi in the United States is seeking a Business Affairs Manager to manage union contracts, licensing and budget oversight across branded content productions. The role liaises between producers and account teams and ensures legal and financial compliance while safeguarding client budgets.

The position requires 2+ years in business affairs/licensing, strong negotiation skills, and experience with SAG-AFTRA. It is an in-person role with growth opportunities within the Business Affairs team.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years prior BA Manager and licensing experience in advertising.
• Extensive knowledge of the SAG-AFTRA commercials contract.
• Thorough understanding of social content usage specs, Influencer outreach, negotiating deal points and contracting.
• Understanding of music rights, negotiation and licensing.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Producers, Account, Traffic and Legal teams to execute creative vision.
• Review creative materials for potential legal issues and provide viable options to minimize Agency/Client liability.
• Determine and communicate all third-party rights needed for use of intellectual property in advertising and negotiate and license as needed (music, UGC footage, names, etc.).
• Managing creative searches for sport and celebrity talent, music, etc.
• Handle over-scale talent negotiations, execute deal memos and long form contracts.
• Partner with Social team to manage creator/influencer procurement and contracting.
• Work with Producers and Account teams on preparing production estimates for client approval.
• Ballpark SAG session costs, declare insurance, draft contracts and purchase orders for each production.
• Process third party vendor invoices for payment and assist Producers with monitoring the production budget and closing jobs with Account and Finance teams.
• Passion for keeping thorough and transparent project files and tracking charts for all produced materials and IP licensing.
• Share important knowledge, trends and process across all departments.
• Enforce adherence to quality standards for the team as set forth by the department head.

Skills

BA Manager

Licensing

SAG-AFTRA

Music rights

Tools

XR payroll

Microsoft 365

Job description

Company description

At Saatchi we believe in creating ideas that can live anywhere. And we believe that when we work as a team, nothing is impossible. We strive to bring out the best in each other and in ourselves and expect applicants to understand the value of close collaboration. We also believe that creating transformational work requires initiative, an entrepreneurial spirit and a bold commitment to achieving measurable results and business success for the Clients we service.

Overview

As a Business Affairs Manager, you will be a valued member of our Business Affairs team. This full-time position requires a diligent and proactive individual to collaborate closely across all agency disciplines and external partners. As you navigate this vital role, you will help maintain our industry leading expertise in complex union contracts (e.g., SAG/AFTRA, AFM, etc.) and internal agency protocols. You will be the key liaison between producer and account team for all agency Business Affairs related matters on all forms of branded content productions; dealing with legal, financial and talent related issues while safeguarding client budgets, and maintaining strong relationships with talent and licensing representatives nationwide. This role offers significant growth opportunities and potential for advancement within Business Affairs for dedicated and high-performing individuals.

About Our Business Affairs Team

At Saatchi, our Business Affairs team is foundational to groundbreaking creativity. We are the "we-make-the-most-crazy-stuff-happen-safely-and-brilliantly" department. We are the strategic collaborators who ensure that every creative idea, no matter how ambitious, can be brought to life within a framework of legal integrity and financial prudence. We proudly consider ourselves the gold standard in Business Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Producers, Account, Traffic and Legal teams to execute creative vision.
• Review creative materials for potential legal issues and provide viable options to minimize Agency/Client liability.

• Determine and communicate all third-party rights needed for use of intellectual property in advertising and negotiate and license as needed (music, UGC footage, names, etc.).
• Managing creative searches for sport and celebrity talent, music, etc.

• Handle over-scale talent negotiations, execute deal memos and long form contracts.
• Partner with Social team to manage creator/influencer procurement and contracting.
• Work with Producers and Account teams on preparing production estimates for client approval.
• Ballpark SAG session costs, declare insurance, draft contracts and purchase orders for each production.
• Process third party vendor invoices for payment and assist Producers with monitoring the production budget and closing jobs with Account and Finance teams.
• Passion for keeping thorough and transparent project files and tracking charts for all produced materials and IP licensing.
• Share important knowledge, trends and process across all departments.
• Enforce adherence to quality standards for the team as set forth by the department head.

Qualifications

Experience:

• At lease 2 years prior BA Manager and licensing experience in advertising.
• Extensive knowledge of the SAG-AFTRA commercials contract.
• Thorough understanding of social content usage specs, Influencer outreach, negotiating deal points and contracting.
• Understanding of music rights, negotiation and licensing.

Core Skills:

• Exceptional Organizational & Detail-Oriented Execution: Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and complex workflows with meticulous accuracy in data, tracking, and financial calculations.
• Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear and effective interaction with internal teams, external partners, and clients.
• Proactive & Collaborative Mindset: Eager to learn, grow, and contribute positively as a proactive team player within a fast-paced, creative environment.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Acumen: Ability to identify challenges, analyze with a commonsense approach, and propose effective solutions.
• Strong Numerical & Financial Aptitude: Robust mathematical skills for accurate budget management, payment calculations, and financial oversight.

Technical Proficiency:

• Computer literate with the ability to learn and master industry payroll platforms (e.g. XR)
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook, Copilot).
• Familiarity and experience with AI tools for process enhancement or data analysis is a big plus.

Work Environment & Expectations

• This is an in-person/in-office role, requiring a minimum of 4 days per week.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, creative, and deadline-driven agency environment.
• Active participation in agency culture, meetings; contributing to discussions.

Additional information

Our Publicis Groupe motto "Viva La Différence" means we’re better together, and we believe that our differences make us stronger. It means we honor and celebrate all identities, across all facets of intersectionality, and it underpins all that we do as an organization. We are focused on fostering belonging and creating equitable & inclusive experiences for all talent.

Publicis Groupe provides robust and inclusive benefit programs and policies to support the evolving and diverse needs of our talent and enable every person to grow and thrive. Our benefits package includes medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401K, as well as parental and family care leave, family forming assistance, tuition reimbursement, and flexible time off.

If you require accommodation or assistance with the application or onboarding process specifically, please contact [e-mail].

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Compensation Range: USD $66,120.00 - USD $97,440.00/Annually. This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting. Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience of the applicant along with the requirements of the position, and the Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time. Temporary roles may be eligible to participate in our freelancer/temporary employee medical plan through a third-party benefits administration system once certain criteria have been met. For regular roles, the Company will offer medical coverage, dental, vision, disability, 401k, and paid time off. The Company anticipates the application deadline for this job posting will be 9/28/2026.