Legal Counsel, Commissions

Paramount International Networks, a unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA), is comprised of many of the world’s most iconic consumer brands. Its portfolio of award-winning channels, brands and platforms includes Channel 5 (RTS Channel of the Year 2020, Grierson Award Best Single Documentary 2020), MTV and Comedy Central (both are multiple Promax award-winning channels), Nickelodeon, BET, Paramount Network, Paramount +, Smithsonian and Pluto, CBS, Network 10, Telefe, Viacom 18 and Paramount International Networks Studios among others internationally. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, Paramount International Networks provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more than 180 countries.

Our goal is to be the world’s leading, branded entertainment company across television, motion pictures, and digital media platforms. We are home to global brands that connect across all platforms. It starts on screens of all sizes, and it doesn’t stop there. We connect with audiences in the real world through live experiences, huge events, books, toys, games, apps and so much more.

WHAT IS THE ROLE?

We are looking for a lawyer/Business Affairs Manager to join the Business and Legal Affairs (BALA) team in London supporting the commissioning of scripted and unscripted content for our linear and non-linear channels and streaming services. You will work with a broad range of commissioners and third party suppliers, both qualifying and non-qualifying independent production companies, across all genres, as well as studios, licensors, agents and rights holders in the UK and internationally. You will review and advise on, negotiate, draft and deliver development, commissioning and production agreements, content licences and ancillary contracts enabling us to deliver exciting, entertaining and inspiring content to our audiences.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Drafting, negotiating and advising on standard and non-standard development, acquisition and Programme Production Agreements and/or other ancillary contracts (e.g. presenter agreements, work for hire production agreements, access agreements and programme finance documents), within the framework of PACT agreed Terms of Trade, where applicable.
2. Reviewing chain of title documents and underlying rights agreements; advising on commitments made in Editorial/Commissioning Specification Forms, as well as cross-brand content sharing of existing Paramount programming (for both UK and international exploitation).
3. Guiding and advising the commissioning teams on rights and legal matters (including but not limited to new and emerging media functionalities, utility and usage rules, holdbacks, video-on-demand services, copyright, music, press and promotional activities rights and clearances).
4. Advising on and supporting a variety of finance arrangements, which may include both hard and soft money as well as advertiser funded agreement and other alternative finance.
5. Ensuring that all compliance and governance obligations are appropriately met and managed, within UK and US framework.
6. Maintaining effective, efficient and consistent commercial relationships with programme suppliers whilst effectively negotiating programme rights and terms in accordance with Paramount and industry benchmarks.
7. Maintaining and managing internal relationships particularly with Content Legal & Compliance team, the Programming Department (Commissioning Editors, Programme Management, Scheduling etc.), the Privacy/DP legal team, the Music & Media Licensing team and as required, Digital Media Group (VOD), Sales (AFPs etc), Finance, Commercial Partnerships (Distribution, linked telephony competitions, clips etc).
8. Establishing, maintaining and enhancing relationships with key stakeholders externally, including production companies/groups, industry bodies and unions (e.g. PACT, DUK, Equity, WGGB, Bectu).
9. Reviewing and updating company precedents where necessary.
10. Advising on changes in law likely to materially affect Paramount’s business activities.
11. Advising the business on intellectual property rights and general commercial matters and take steps to reduce areas of potential risk.
12. Advising in respect of exploitation of ancillary programme rights (publishing, merchandising, VOD, DTO, DVD etc.).
13. Input into team best practice, knowhow and template agreements where required.
14. Liaising with outside legal counsel, where required.
15. Flexibility to work on ad hoc tasks and projects across the BALA team as required.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

1. Qualified lawyer with at least 2 years’ post qualification experience.
2. Demonstrable experience in drafting and negotiating rights agreements within the television/media industry gained from working for a broadcaster or independent production company either in-house or in private practice, but general media/IP experience is required.
3. A basic knowledge and understanding of media compliance laws and issues, including the Ofcom Code.
4. A solid ability to engage in legal research, analysis and reasoning.
5. Extensive knowledge of rights issues, distribution, contract law, copyright law.
6. Exposure to privacy and data protection issues within multi-media platforms.
7. Strong attention to detail and analytical skills, combined with the ability to see the strategic perspective and the imagination to find a creative solution to business issues.
8. Excellent drafting skills – able to take instructions on a wide variety of contracts and produce working drafts (both with and without reliance on precedent) to meet business requirements.
9. Good interpersonal and communication skills, an ability to interact with people at all levels of an organisation and present complex legal conclusions concisely.
10. Ability to deal with a large and varied workload, often under critical time pressure.
11. Ability to present complex legal concepts in simple and clear language for effective communication to all levels of the business.
12. Proactively able to identify, assess and communicate risks and propose viable and relevant solutions for the business to consider.
13. Operate with sound business judgment, social intelligence and flexibility/adaptability to support multifaceted matters which may have conflicting deadlines and incomplete facts.
14. Work collaboratively with cross functional teams to achieve business objectives.
15. Be an analytical and independent problem solver acting with integrity.
16. Act in an ethical manner and adheres to the Paramount code of conduct at all times.
17. Develop and maintain an entrepreneurial spirit, with a growth mindset and a proactive approach to challenges.
18. Significant drive, adaptability, resilience, and energy to build, grow, and deliver results.

Channel 5 is an award-winning public service broadcaster and the UK’s third latest commercial TV station, reaching 3 in 4 of the UK viewing public each month. The channel has a diverse schedule of original programmes across genres including issue-led documentaries, popular factual, accessible history, stunning natural history, inclusive entertainment and reality, top level sport, high quality scripted programming, headline-grabbing current affairs and critically acclaimed children’s and news programming. Channel 5 is a unit of Paramount Global.

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet.

At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.

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