Senior Business Affairs Manager - BBC Studios (13541)

BBC Studios is a global business of scale, able to fund, create, distribute and commercialise premium content for the BBC and other companies both in the UK and internationally. Working with the best writers, directors, and programme-makers, BBC Studios champions creativity, crafting over 2,500 hours of content every year through eight production bases in the UK and production bases and partnerships in a further nine countries around the world. And that’s not all, BBC Studios are a committed partner to the UK’s thriving independent production community, as well as other broadcasters and digital platforms, delivering content that showcases the best of British and global talent, stamped with the hallmark of quality. Our content encompasses a uniquely broad range of specialisms from Entertainment, Music, and Live Events to Natural History, Drama, Comedy, and now Kids and Family.

Business and Legal Affairs, Scripted, provides support across the whole portfolio of Scripted Productions’ business.  The business spans production, content and format investment and funding/co-pro opportunities as well as our relationships with independent producers and talent, whether as distributor or through strategic investment. As a team, we have been at the forefront of key deals with Global SVOD partners and co-producers including HBO for the standout Michaela Coel BBC series “I May Destroy You”  and Hulu for the BBC series “Am I Being Unreasonable”. Recent titles include “The Jetty” produced by Firebird Pictures, “Ghosts” produced by Monumental Television for BBC One, and “The Castaways” for Paramount+ produced by Clapperboard.

Working alongside two other Senior Business and Legal Affairs Managers within the Scripted team, this role will be responsible for supporting distributor or strategic investment for both Comedy and Drama. The role will liaise and foster strong relationships with BBC Studios’ wholly-owned labels, minority invested and key relationship independent producers such as Clerkenwell, Baby Cow and Lookout Point.. Acting as lead Scripted BLA “point person” for a number of these companies dealing with the rights-in acquisition and financing of Drama and Comedy programming. Reporting in to the Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Scripted, the role is fully embedded in the Scripted BLA team.  The role will work closely with the Scripted Commercial Director, the finance team and the rest of the Scripted management team, providing strategic and commercial support, as well as collaborating with the Global Distribution teams on co-production, pre-sale and other international funding arrangements typically with US cable operators and global and pan-regional SVOD operators in order to ensure such third party agreements align with our distribution agreement with independent producers.

The role ensures that all Scripted distribution and strategic investment within the independent production portfolio receives first class business affairs and legal advice, allowing deals to be delivered quickly and commercially, and that teams are well supported, developed and thriving.  The role is instrumental to delivery of our global growth plan.

The role is London based. We are a team that works very flexibly, champion inclusion and are committed to bringing diverse voices to the table.  

Negotiation and contracting: To negotiate and contract a wide range of deals in accordance with overarching frameworks, strategies and policies in pursuit of the core vision, purpose and objectives of BBC Studios and the BBC Group. To secure all necessary rights and revenues and to mitigate business, financial, reputational and legal risks.. Prior to the release of any investment moneys, draft and negotiate development and distribution agreements with producers to secure distribution rights.

Advising: To support the Director of Business and Legal Affairs in advising on all aspects of legal and commercial, rights and business affairs including alternative finance, legal risks, editorial policy and compliance issues. Advise the business on all legal matters and engage in business affairs deal-making to support the key stakeholders in the Scripted genre divisions to meet strategic goals and priorities. To acquire all necessary rights for both primary and secondary programme and product maximisation, working with BBC Legal and external lawyers as may be required. To advise on the financial impact of rights and forewarn editorial teams and other BBC Studios stakeholders on legal and other contractual issues. 

Manage, motivate and develop assigned staff including, where necessary, assisting with recruitment and assisting the Director of Business and Legal Affairs to build a high calibre team with the skills and capabilities to deliver the required results.

Stakeholder management: To positively represent BBC Studios and foster and develop effective creative and commercial relationships – both externally and internally across the BBC Group. To advise key stakeholders within relevant independent production companies and internally with BBC Studios sales and finance teams of the key business implications of programme rights deals and supporting finance teams in creating funding models; to offer advice about the impact of various sales agreements, identifying strategies to resolve issues. 

Risk management: To support the Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Scripted in mitigating legal, contractual and business risk, and assisting in resolution of disputes concerning content, brand and IP protection. 

Compliance: To ensure that standards and frameworks are adhered to and, working with the Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Scripted, are translated into compliant individual deals within a pan-BBC Group approach. 

Market intelligence: To be aware of global market trends in pursuit of BBC Studios’ overall vision, purpose and objectives and the overall effectiveness and credibility of Scripted BLA.

Teamwork: To help develop and maintain collaborative, constructive, and high performing teams that are focused on working collectively and ensuring the BBC benefits from an increasingly digital, global and commercial media environment. To be part of a culture which  sets BBC Studios apart from its competitors. To lead by example in maintaining a culture of integrity and empowerment and support the Director of Business and Legal Affairs, Scripted, in proposing new ways of working that may help deliver this objective and to build a high calibre team with the skills and capabilities to deliver the required results. To help, guide and develop other members of the team and take on any line management as may be required.

Essential

At BBC Studios, we seek people who are passionate about who we are and what we do. 

• A qualified solicitor (or equivalent), trained in private practice and/or in a commercial organisation and ideally more than 5 years’ post-qualification experience or equivalent level of in-role experience. 
• Experience of drafting and negotiating distribution, production and commissioning agreements is essential, in addition to a sound understanding of the areas of contract and intellectual property law applicable to audio-visual production and distribution. Familiarity with supporting production and financing agreements, such as inter-party agreements, book options, format agreements, writers agreements and contributor agreements.
• Good commercial experience, including advising on, negotiating and contracting development, production, commissioning agreements, co-production, content financing arrangements, underlying rights agreements such as book agreements format and third party distribution agreements for chain of title purposes, contributor/talent agreements, production services agreement, first look arrangements, distribution and content licensing agreements with independent producers and major strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrate sound knowledge of television production including: sources of finance, talent contracting (particularly UK guild/union agreements), production processes and convention.
• Extensive track record of negotiating, rights management and copyright experience, concluding deals with UK and international broadcasters as well as global streamers.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills and a record of establishing trusted relationships with key stakeholders. 
• Able to demonstrate problem-solving skills and ability to switch course in response to market developments.
• Experience of managing risk and delivering projects in a complex environment.
• An approach that encompasses teamwork, proactivity, creativity, flexibility, resilience, passion and energy.
• In-depth knowledge of the media sector, with demonstrable experience operating effectively at senior levels and a full grasp of the rights landscape in the UK, underlying rights and legal frameworks and how UK commissioners and global operators are partnering.  Highly business-oriented, proactive and commercially aware.
• Knowledge of BBC terms of trade and BBC Group operating framework (Charter and Agreement) and strategic priorities and experience dealing with the BBC.
• Demonstrates and team leadership experience and actively helps to maintain team standards of high performance and professionalism.

Desirable 

• Experience of dealing with the BBC group.
• Experience of managing work across different time-zones and bridging cultural differences.
• Experience of innovating and leading change in a complex environment.
• Experience of supporting senior leadership in delivering news ways of working to streamline operations between production, commercial and other teams and BLA with the objective of delivering fast deal delivery.

Job Reference: 13541
Band: E
Salary: £76,000 - £115,000 depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.
The expected salary range for this role reflects internal benchmarking and external market insights.
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: London - Television Centre

Working Pattern: Hybrid Working (Mix of working from home plus two/three days a week in the office).

We are really proud to share that we are a Level 2 Disability Confident Employer and so if you require any reasonable adjustments in order to apply please do contact us at with the job reference in the subject.

We offer flexibility, competitive benefits and the opportunity to be part of the BBC's exciting mission. Some of the key benefits you’ll get from working in this role are:
Flexible/Agile working - opportunities across the business. We believe in empowering you to do your best work, so we offer support and flexibility to balance work and home. We’re happy to discuss a formal flexible working pattern. Please indicate your choice under the flexible working question in the application. There is no obligation to raise this at the application stage but if you wish to do so, you are welcome to. Flexible working will be part of the discussion at the offer stage.
Unrivalled training and development opportunities - we operate a people-first culture and pride ourselves on your development. Our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certifications.
Excellent career progression - BBC Studios offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation. Leaders at the BBC are passionate about helping our people grow in the organisation and you will have regular sessions with your line manager to support you with your career ambitions.
Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35-hour working week for work-life balance and 26 days (plus an additional day which is a Corporation Day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

LIFE AT BBC STUDIOS

We don’t focus simply on what we do – we also care how we do it. Our values and the way we behave are important to us. Please make sure you’ve read about our values and behaviours here.

The BBC is committed to building a culturally diverse workforce and therefore strongly encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of their background. More information on our D&I plan can be found here.

BBC Studios puts sustainability at the heart of everything we do both onscreen and offscreen, including delivering against the BBC Group’s science-based Net Zero targets. More information on sustainability at BBC Studios can be found here.