Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Working Title - Film & TV in London

Join to apply for the Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Working Title – Film & TV role at NBCUniversal. NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies, creating world‑class content across film, television, and streaming, and bringing it to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products and experiences.

We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo and Peacock, our premium ad‑supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal‑Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Focus Features and our four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner. We also operate industry‑leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers and audiences live and work. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Job Description Specific Responsibilities

• Film and TV Development

• Negotiate and conclude high‑level commercial deal terms with (a) UK, US and other international agents and lawyers for talent and rights and (b) financiers and commissioners for film and TV development.
• Manage internal approvals prior to offers going out and during negotiations.
• Liaise with WT’s home studios (UP for film and UIS/USG for TV).
• Draft, or delegate drafting to VP Legal/Manager BALA/Associate Legal Counsel or outside counsel (as and where appropriate), a wide range of agreements including commissioning/financing agreements, option/purchase agreements (and option/quitclaim agreements), writer agreements, director agreements, producer agreements, copyright assignment agreements, novation agreements, licence agreements, services agreements and acting agreements.
• Manage co‑development and co‑production deals and drafting (or delegating the drafting of) corresponding agreements.

• Assist Head of CA/BALA with managing all Business Affairs and Legal responsibilities and tasks on productions and managing projects from conception (in development) continuing through to and until pre‑production, production, post‑production and delivery.
• Negotiate lead and above the line talent deals, liaise with UK and US agents and lawyers.
• Draft and/or delegate drafting of above the line agreements – manage the negotiations with talent representatives of such agreements.
• Have ability to construct financial and formal offers/proposals with varying financial structures for different talent including, without limitation, fixed compensation, contingent compensation and deferments.
• Manage internal approvals and making of offers to talent representatives or other service providers.
• In conjunction with Legal, liaise and manage external production counsel’s role on productions.
• Liaise with different divisions of the Studio to obtain answers to BA/legal/production/finance queries e.g. Labor Relations, Risk Management, Tax, Data Privacy Departments.
• Oversee and manage VP Legal and Manager BALA.
• Approve and sign off on deal summaries, budget charges information and invoices.

• Production Meetings: BA/Legal representative in regular production meetings where required.
• Creative Meetings: BA/Legal representative in regular internal Creative meetings where required.
• US Liaison: liaising with Universal Pictures and USG’s US BA/Legal team to support WT’s US deals.
• Supervision of Junior Team Members: Provide ongoing training and guidance to junior team members.
• Support other WT Departments: Senior BA/Legal contact for Production, Creative and Finance teams.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in film and television business and legal affairs.
• Academic Legal Qualification i.e. LLB or equivalent.
• Consideration will be given to candidates with significant in‑house legal/business affairs experience and/or equivalent qualifications from another common law jurisdiction.
• Strong negotiating skills with emotional intelligence, professionalism and an approachable, understanding, communication style.
• Highly organised, fast and efficient – presents clearly and gets to the point; enjoys solving commercial and corporate problems – learns quickly and has clarity of thought.
• Experience in dealing with contracts and legal documents, and an understanding of contractual language/excellent skills.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, changing environment with a diverse and heavy workload.
• Ability to identify, prioritise and manage urgent work assignments, and manage expectations of both colleagues and third parties in respect of other tasks.
• Computer expertise with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with an ability to interact with a range of personalities.
• Superb attention to detail.
• Has a passion for all aspects of the entertainment industry.
• Ability to foster and create strong relationships internally and externally with colleagues at Working Title, Universal, other studios/production companies/law firms/agencies that we work with.

Please note – The role requires a minimum of 4 days a week in Working Title’s London office and a workday that spans the LA time‑zone in order to complete deals efficiently. The candidate must be able to demonstrate as much of the above through her/his CV and in interview.

Additional Information

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, colour, 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.