Talent Payment Manager

Publicis Groupe Holdings B.V; El Segundo, Dallas (CA, TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Publicis Groupe in El Segundo is seeking a Talent Payment Manager to join our Business Affairs team. This entry-level, full-time role focuses on estimating, managing, processing, and tracking talent payments for branded content productions, while safeguarding budgets and maintaining strong talent-representative relationships nationwide.

You will grow in a fast-paced, in-person agency setting, collaborating across disciplines and with external partners to ensure accurate contracts, payments, and

Qualifications

• Experience in advertising, production or media preferred.
• Agency background and SAG-AFTRA contracts knowledge a plus.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Robust budget management and financial oversight.

Responsibilities

• Generate, review, and approve talent session and residual estimates.
• Process and reconcile session and residual payments and invoices.
• Maintain tracking documents for Completion Reports, music rights, and talent reuse.
• Track usage, holding fees and maximum use periods for approvals and expirations.
• Notify Account Teams of upcoming talent, IP, and music expirations with renewal estimates.
• Monitor talent and residual jobs for overage/underage and report accordingly.
• Inform account groups when jobs can be closed for final billing.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication

Proactive mindset

Analytical thinking

Numerical skills

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 Talent Payment Manager, you will be a valued member of our Business Affairs team. This entry-level, full-time position requires a diligent and proactive individual to collaborate closely across all agency disciplines and external partners. As you grow into 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. Your primary focus will be on estimating, managing, processing, and tracking both session and residual talent payments for all forms of branded content productions, safeguarding client budgets, and maintaining strong relationships with talent representatives nationwide. This role offers significant learning 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-sh*t-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

• Generate, review, and approve accurate talent session contracts, session estimates, and residual estimates for all production types, both upcoming campaigns and existing campaign renewal directions to aid strategic planning.
• Process, approve, and manage all session and residual talent payments and associated invoices working within designated payroll platforms (e.g., Extreme Reach) with timely execution and financial reconciliation.
• Manage and maintain comprehensive tracking documents, including Completion Reports, third-party licensed rights (e.g., music), Talent Reuse Folders and Commercial Trackers.
• Meticulously track all usage of active spots, holding fees, and "maximum use periods" to ensure timely authorization, payment, and awareness of talent exclusivity and expirations.
• Proactively notify Account Teams of upcoming talent, third-party IP, and music expirations, and provide timely renewal cost estimates.
• Monitor talent and residual (T&R) jobs for any overage or underage, providing prompt reporting and analysis.
• Inform account groups and financial teams promptly when jobs can be closed for final billing.

Qualifications

Experience:

• Prior experience (including internships) in advertising, production, or media industries preferred.
• Agency background and working knowledge of SAG-AFTRA contracts is a significant plus.

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 discrepancies, analyze data, 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 with AI tools for process enhancement or data analysis is a 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.

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Compensation Range: USD $40,280.00 - USD $57,008.00/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 10/26/2026.