Executive/Manager, Legal and Business Affairs

The Role

The team...

The “Rights-out” ITV Studios Global Partnerships Legal and Business Affairs team provides support to the ITV Studios Global Partnerships Sales team, in licensing out rights in scripted and non-scripted television programmes and formats.

The content we distribute covers a wide range of genres from high-end drama (Until I Kill You, Vigil), comedy (Brassic), reality and entertainment (Love Island, The Voice, The Graham Norton Show), gameshows (The Chase), documentaries (Harry: The Interview) and natural history (A Year on Planet Earth).

The role...

We’re on the hunt for a confident and proactive Legal & Business Affairs Executive/Manager to join us permanently — a fantastic opportunity to play a key role at the centre of ITV Studios Global Partnerships, supporting our dynamic Sales team.

In this fast-paced role, you’ll provide expert legal and commercial support across a wide range of deals, with a primary focus on licensing scripted and non-scripted content to global broadcasters, networks, and streaming platforms. You’ll also advise on digital publication (including FAST channels, YouTube, and AVOD) and other legal matters critical to the success of the Global Partnerships business.

Some of your key day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Draft, negotiate, and advise on licensing agreements for programme rights across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), including deals with channel providers, platforms, streaming services, and FAST channels.
• Review, draft, and execute a range of rights-related agreements, including amendments to existing licence deals.
• Provide legal support on ancillary matters such as rights clearances, music rights, programme information, and materials availability.
• Liaise with internal sales, digital, and rights management teams to ensure alignment on commercial and legal issues, and maintain accurate contract records.
• Develop and manage relationships with external licensees to support smooth negotiation and deal execution.
• Attend regular departmental and interdepartmental meetings to discuss business strategy, legal issues, and deal progress.
• Participate in routine check-ins with the line manager to report on workload, negotiations, contract variations, and contentious issues.
• Support other departmental activities and projects as required.

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• A qualified lawyer with a focus on intellectual property (NQ-4 years PQE)
• Previous in-house experience would be an advantage
• A background in either television, film licensing and/or commercial contracts

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• Strong technical commercial law experience with a focus on intellectual property.
• Ability to work independently, leading negotiations, taking decisions and escalating issues where required.
• Understanding the nature and value of rights in television or films and experience in licensing rights in programmes (either in a sales or rights-in capacity).
• Proven track record of concluding deals successfully and quickly.
• A team player and effective communicator, both written and verbal.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise a varied workload to meet deadlines.
• Ability to take a proportionate and solutions focussed approach.
• Able to resolve problems under pressure and make accurate assessments of critical issues.
• Ability to quickly establish excellent working relationships with commercial and legal colleagues.
• European language skills would be advantageous.