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

Working Title Films, co-chaired by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, is one of the world’s leading British production companies, having created well-loved and critically acclaimed film and TV content for 40 years. The company is proud to have created over 130 films and TV programmes that have grossed over $8.5 billion worldwide and they continue to champion new talent through the London Screen Academy and NBC Universal Global Writers Programme.

Working Title projects have received a total of 10 Best Picture Nominations and have won 15 Academy Awards, 11 Golden Globes, over 40 BAFTA Awards and numerous prestigious prizes at the Cannes and Berlin International Film Festivals.

This programming exemplifies Working Title's commitment to pushing boundaries and embracing diverse narratives that resonate with contemporary audiences.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Film and TV Development: Negotiate and conclude high level commercial deal terms with UK, US and other international agents and lawyers for talent and rights and financiers and commissioners for film and TV development. Manage internal approvals prior to offers going out and during negotiations. Liaising with WT’s home studios. Draft a wide range of agreements including commissioning/financing agreements, option/purchase 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.
• Film and TV pre-production/production/post-production: Assist Head of CA/BALA with managing all Business Affairs and Legal responsibilities on productions. 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 internal approvals and making of offers to talent representatives or other service providers. In conjunction with VP Legal, liaise and manage external production counsel’s role on productions.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• 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/REQUIREMENTS:

• 15+ years’ experience in film and television business and legal affairs.
• Academic Legal Qualification i.e. LLB or equivalent.
• Strong negotiating skills with emotional intelligence, professionalism and an approachable communication style.
• Highly organised, fast and efficient; enjoys solving commercial and corporate problems.
• Experience in dealing with contracts and legal documents, and an understanding of contractual language/excellent drafting skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment with a diverse and heavy workload.
• Computer expertise with proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Superb attention to detail.
• Has a passion for all aspects of the entertainment industry.

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.

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 any basis protected by applicable law.