Associate Manager, Business & Legal Affairs

Full-time Business Segment: Universal Television Entertainment

Universal International Studios (UIS), a division of Universal Studio Group, partners with storytellers from around the globe to create bold and distinctive shows with universal resonance. Based in London and led by President Beatrice Springborn, the business's in‑house production companies include Carnival Films, Matchbox Pictures, Working Title Television and Heyday Television. UIS also backs Tony Ayres Productions and holds a first‑look distribution deal with Lark Productions. UIS hosts a scripted unit that develops and produces original series such as Hanna and Dodger, and partners on series such as The Dream Lands, One Day, Everyone Else Burns and The Undeclared War.

The studio also includes NBCUniversal Formats, the international sales division that brings content to the global market, including shows such as The Real Housewives, Top Chef, Saturday Night Live, Hollywood Game Night, That's My Jam, Suits, Superstore and more. At Universal International Studios, we are focused on our commitment to a more ambitious and inclusive future. Our company values play a huge part in this commitment and the culture of our company. We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and we’ll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you.

Term: 12 months FTC – maternity leave cover

Location: London

Reporting to: VP, Business & Legal Affairs

Job Description

The primary responsibility of this role is to provide business and legal affairs (BALA) support to NBCUniversal Formats, the international sales division responsible for all formats created within the production, broadcast and streaming divisions of NBCUniversal and Sky Studios, as well as select third parties. The group fosters an array of strategic alliances, co‑production and co‑development partnerships to bring new and existing content to the global market. NBCUniversal Formats represents a vast and diverse slate of non‑scripted and scripted formats. Leading brands include Emmy Award‑winning comedy showcase Saturday Night Live, global success series Top Chef, hit game show That's My Jam, global franchise The Real Housewives, entertainment shows such as House of Villains and The Tonight Show, factual entertainment shows Million Dollar Listing and The Secret Life of the Zoo, and scripted formats such as Suits, House, The Sinner, The Good Place and Superstore (among many more).

This role will report to VP of Business & Legal Affairs but will involve working with other members of the UK‑based central UIS BALA team, the Formats Sales & Production team and other BALA teams across NBCUniversal. The role will involve drafting and negotiating various format agreements (including but not limited to options, licences, acquisition, co‑development and co‑production agreements), advising on rights and IP issues, managing stakeholder relationships across NBCUniversal, working alongside global BALA teams, and collaborating with all studio, production, channel and platform entities within Universal Television Entertainment. The role may also involve ad hoc assistance more generally with BALA matters across USG’s UK‑based scripted and non‑scripted studio and production companies.

Key Responsibilities

• Legal Advisory & Stakeholder Support: Work with the BALA team at UIS on all matters relating to NBCUniversal Formats. Act as the primary ‘point person’ for all BALA‑related queries for the sales and production team of NBCUniversal Formats, escalating to VP Business & Legal Affairs where necessary, and working closely with the Contracts Executive (also assigned to NBCUniversal Formats). Perform any other BALA related tasks as needed and assigned by VP Business & Legal Affairs.
• Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Commercial Agreements: Draft and negotiate agreements with international clients such as production companies, broadcasters and OTT platforms. Draft and negotiate all forms of agreements required by the group, including but not limited to acquisition, distribution, options, licences, consultancy / EP services, co‑development and co‑production and ancillary rights agreements.
• Rights Management & Intellectual Property: Liaise with NBCUniversal’s IP Group in both the US and UK regarding rights analyses, clearance and ad hoc IP queries, trademarks and any IP infringement issues. Manage BALA elements of ancillary commercial/IP exploitation deals (e.g. sponsorship and brand licensing) in connection with format licensing.
• Deal Lifecycle & Process Management: Manage the process and life‑cycle of all BALA related elements to a format deal, from clearing IP rights to option, licence, and support as required during development, production and distribution. Liaise with BALA teams worldwide in respect of rights, clearance and business/stakeholder approvals.
• Compliance & Governance: Assist with UIS compliance protocols and processes.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Relationship Management: Build strong relationships with all teams within UIS including Formats Sales & Production, Finance and Comms. Build strong relationships with BALA teams across NBCUniversal including production, channel and platform entities within Universal Television Entertainment.

Skills and Experience

• Qualified solicitor (3+ years PQE), with a UK‑based legal qualification (i.e. LLB or equivalent), with experience working in‑house within media and entertainment (ideally television).
• Strong educational background.
• Exceptional drafting skills and negotiation experience.
• Solid understanding of the types of agreements that are involved in this role, associated contractual language, rights management and licensing.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, changing environment with a diverse and often heavy workload.
• Ability to identify, prioritise and manage urgent work assignments, and manage expectations in respect of other tasks.
• Ability to work on your own initiative and escalate matters where required.
• Confident, concise and persuasive verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to interact with a range of personalities and establish effective relationships internally and externally.
• Highly organised and efficient, with a meticulous attention to detail.

Personal Qualities

• Strong interest and enthusiasm for the entertainment industry, and the international TV environment in particular.
• Proactive and creative approach to problem solving.
• Responsive, friendly, approachable, collaborative and confident manner with a flexible can‑do attitude and an ability to adapt to any situation.
• Ability to know when to ask for assistance and guidance from more senior members of the team.
• Resourceful, enthusiastic, outgoing, intellectually curious, ethical, responsible and eager to take on new challenges in a demanding environment.

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in‑person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.