Senior Talent Manager

Socket.dev; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

WPP Production seeks a Talent Manager to oversee talent payments, estimates, contracts, and compliance for commercial and digital campaigns. This role interfaces with talent agents, producers, and finance, balancing negotiation, accuracy, and timely delivery.

Reporting to the Head of Business Affairs, you will manage residuals, renewals, and completion reports while maintaining strong knowledge of SAG-AFTRA contracts and non-union workflows. Hybrid work arrangement offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in talent payments, business affairs, production coordination, or related agency role.
• Strong knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and related talent payment procedures.
• Experience managing residuals, estimates, contracts, and completion reporting.
• Experience with national and global commercial campaigns.
• Knowledge of music and stock footage licensing.
• Experience with invoice processing and budget tracking.

Responsibilities

• Manage all aspects of talent payments for assigned clients and campaigns.
• Prepare and reconcile talent estimates for session fees, residuals, holding fees and renewals.
• Negotiate talent compensation and ensure timely execution of talent contracts.
• Collaborate with producers, account teams, and Business Affairs Managers to support productions from pre-production through completion.
• Maintain expert knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and waivers, as well as non-union talent workflows.
• Administer talent residuals, renewals, reinstatements, and completion reports.
• Track talent usage, expiration dates, holding fee cycles and reuse cycles.
• Coordinate licensing of music, stock footage, and other third-party content as needed.
• Process and review vendor invoices with accounting and finance teams.
• Resolve talent-related issues, claims, and payment discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate project files and documentation for all talent activity.
• Communicate clearly with internal teams, talent agents, and performers.
• Assist with workflow improvements and guidance to junior team members.

Skills

Talent payments

SAG-AFTRA knowledge

Contract negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Budget tracking

Invoice processing

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Workflow improvements

Mentoring

Tools

Microsoft Office

Finance systems

Job description

About WPP Production

We are WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.

A Hybrid working model

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

What does a Talent Manager do at WPP Production?

This role is responsible for talent estimates, contracts, payments, union compliance, and completion reporting for commercial and digital campaigns. The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract experience handling residuals and session fees, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced agency environment.

The ideal candidate is proactive, solutions-oriented, and confident working with talent agents, performers, and internal stakeholders. They bring both precision and diplomacy to talent-related work and are comfortable balancing compliance, negotiation, and day-to-day production support.

Reporting lines and key stakeholders

This role reports to the Head of Business Affairs.

You will work closely with production, finance and external vendor teams.

Requirements

• Manage all aspects of talent payments for assigned clients and campaigns
• Prepare and reconcile talent estimates for session fees, residuals, holding fees and renewals
• Negotiate talent compensation and ensure timely execution of talent contracts
• Collaborate with producers, account teams, and Business Affairs Managers to support productions from pre-production through completion
• Maintain expert knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and all waivers, as well as non-union talent workflows
• Administer talent residuals, renewals, reinstatements, and completion reports
• Track talent usage, expiration dates, holding fee cycles and reuse cycles
• Coordinate licensing of music, stock footage, and other third-party content as needed
• Process and review vendor invoices in partnership with accounting and finance teams
• Resolve talent-related issues, claims, and payment discrepancies
• Maintain accurate project files and documentation for all talent activity
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, talent agents, and performers
• Assist with workflow improvements and provide guidance to junior team members when applicable

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in talent payments, business affairs, production coordination, or a related agency role
• Strong working knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and related talent payment procedures
• Experience managing residuals, estimates, contracts, and completion reporting
• Experience with national and global commercial campaigns
• Knowledge of music and stock footage licensing
• Experience with invoice processing and budget tracking
• Familiar with advertising agency workflows and broadcast/digital asset trafficking
• Ability to interpret union and non-union talent requirements
• Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort working with financial or production systems
• Experience partnering cross-functionally with producers, account teams, and finance

The base salary for this position at the time of this posting may range from $60,000 to $140,000. Individual compensation varies based on job related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, for more details.

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Why work here:

At WPP Production, you’ll help shape the future of content production at a truly global scale. We bring together world-class talent, cutting-edge studios, and advanced technology to solve some of the most complex creative and production challenges in the industry. You’ll work in a collaborative, borderless environment where craft excellence is valued, innovation is encouraged, and AI and next-generation tools are used to amplify not replace human creativity. With access to diverse projects, global career opportunities, and the backing of WPP’s unmatched network, this is a place where you can grow your skills, make real impact, and create work that performs for every audience, across every channel, at every moment.

Inclusion and Impact

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. We rely on legitimate interest as a legal basis for processing personal information under the GDPR for purposes of recruitment and applications for employment. When you click the "Submit Application" button at the bottom of this page, this will send all the information you have added to WPP Production. Before you do this, we think it's a good idea to read through our Privacy statement. This explains what we do with your personal data when you apply for a role with us, and, how you can update the information you have provided us with or how to remove it.

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