At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to negotiate and manage international distribution deals in the entertainment industry.
- Company: Avalon, a leading talent management and production group with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy private medical cover, life assurance, and a competitive holiday allowance.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make an impact in the entertainment world while working with top talent and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor with experience in media law and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The Legal and Business Affairs team at Avalon supports all of Avalon’s various divisions, including talent management, TV production, distribution and live promotions, as well as overseeing legal and regulatory compliance for the Avalon Group in the UK and the US. The team includes six other lawyers, and prides itself on being collaborative, commercially astute and effective, with a substantial combined knowledge of all areas of the entertainment industry.
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Senior Legal Counsel, Distribution to join our Legal & Business Affairs team. This role is at the heart of our international distribution activities, working closely with our Distribution team to drive and protect the commercial interests of the distribution business across all forms of content exploitation worldwide. The successful candidate will be the primary legal resource for our Distribution team, providing support throughout the full lifecycle of distribution deals — from initial commercial negotiation through to contract execution. In addition to this specialist focus, the role also provides broader legal and business affairs support as required across the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the primary legal advisor to the Distribution team, supporting the negotiation of key commercial terms across all forms of content exploitation.
- Provide practical, commercial legal advice to the Distribution team at all stages of a deal, balancing legal risk against commercial opportunity.
- Support the exploitation of ancillary and secondary rights arising from Avalon’s content catalogue, ensuring robust contractual protections and appropriate revenue sharing arrangements.
- Supervise and oversee other members of the legal & business affairs team on distribution or other matters as required.
- Identify, assess and advise on legal risks associated with distribution activities and broader business operations.
- Manage relationships with external legal counsel where specialist advice is required.
- Provide legal and business affairs support to all internal clients in a timely and accurate manner, always taking into account business priorities and strategies.
- Proactively collaborate with all departments within Avalon, including Distribution, Talent Management, Press & Publicity, Finance, Corporate, Digital & Marketing and Production.
- Work across a wide range of matters in support of all Avalon businesses as and where required.
Specific Duties
- Draft, review, negotiate and finalise a wide range of distribution agreements, including finished programme licences, format licences, and ancillary rights agreements.
- Negotiate agreements relating to international co-productions.
- Advise the Distribution team on appropriate deal structures.
- Respond to Distribution queries relating to the exploitation of rights, holdbacks, clearances and onward reporting.
- Maintain and develop standard form distribution contract templates.
- Provide support to the PR and Marketing teams in connection with promotional activities, brand partnerships, sponsorship, advertising, and clearance matters.
- Provide support in respect of live comedy tours, theatre and events promoted and produced by Avalon.
- Provide support to the Avalon talent management and television development and production teams.
- Provide legal support on matters such as client reporting, debt recovery, data protection, trademarks and other forms of brand and IP protection.
- Support the Head of Legal & Business Affairs on any other legal matters as required by the business.
About You
- Qualified solicitor admitted in England & Wales (or equivalent UK qualification), with a current practising certificate.
- Substantial post-qualification experience in media and entertainment law, with a demonstrable focus on television distribution and international content and format licensing.
- Deep, hands-on experience negotiating finished programme licence agreements and format licence agreements across multiple international territories.
- Good working knowledge of ancillary rights exploitation.
- Proven ability to confidently lead commercial negotiations independently and effectively.
- Ability to interpret and clearly explain complex legal and contractual issues to non-lawyers.
- Pro-active business orientated approach.
- Highly organised with an ability to manage and prioritise effectively.
- Excellent technical drafting skills with strong attention to detail.
- Commercial mindset: able to give practical, solutions-focused legal advice.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Passion for content.
About Avalon
Avalon is a multi-award-winning talent management, television production and live promotion group with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York. Avalon, Artists Rights Group and The Agency together represent a diverse and distinctive roster of artists including actors, comedians, writers and directors. Our core values help define our purpose and shape our culture. We are always on the lookout for exceptional talent and are committed to creating a diverse environment.
What We Offer
- Private Medical Cover
- Cycle to work scheme
- Income protection scheme
- Life assurance
- Pension scheme
- Employee assistance programme
- Competitive holiday allowance
- Season ticket loans
- Monthly staff drinks, seasonal parties, tickets for our Live gigs, Monday breakfasts and more
Senior Legal Counsel, Distribution in London employer: Avalon
Avalon is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where creativity and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to employee growth, the company offers diverse opportunities in the dynamic entertainment industry, alongside attractive benefits such as a cycle to work scheme, life assurance, and competitive holiday allowances. Located in the heart of London, Avalon provides a unique environment for legal professionals to engage with award-winning talent and contribute to exciting projects across various entertainment sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Legal Counsel, Distribution in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Legal Counsel, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to build confidence and refine your approach.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Avalon and contributing to our amazing team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Legal Counsel, Distribution in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Legal Counsel role. Highlight your experience in media and entertainment law, especially in distribution and licensing, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Show Off Your Skills:Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with our needs. Talk about your negotiation experience and how you've successfully managed legal risks in previous roles. We want to see your commercial mindset in action!
Be Clear and Concise:When drafting your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point—just like we do in our contracts!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining the Avalon team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Avalon
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on media and entertainment law, especially around television distribution and international content licensing. Familiarise yourself with the types of agreements you'll be dealing with, like finished programme licences and format licences, so you can speak confidently about them during the interview.
✨Show Your Commercial Mindset
Avalon is looking for someone who can balance legal risks with commercial opportunities. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully navigated complex negotiations in the past and how your legal advice has positively impacted business decisions.
✨Demonstrate Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, highlight your experience in collaborating with different departments. Share examples of how you've effectively communicated legal concepts to non-lawyers and built strong relationships with internal stakeholders.
✨Prepare Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask about Avalon's approach to distribution and how the legal team supports the wider business. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if Avalon is the right fit for you.
