Manager, Legal and Business Affairs

The Role

The team..

The Legal & Business Affairs team within ITV Studios Global Partnerships supports the commercial teams responsible for distributing and monetising ITV’s content worldwide. Working at the centre of creative, commercial and legal decision-making, the team advises on a wide range of deals across content distribution, rights exploitation and brand partnerships.

Within Global Partnerships, the Studio 55 Brand Licensing team focuses on innovative brand-funded and brand licensing opportunities across digital content, merchandising, events and global brand integrations. The ITV Studios Global Content Team, are responsible for working with ITV Studios and third party producers to acquire distribution rights in scripted and non-scripted television programmes and formats including where funded by Studio 55 brand deals.

The Legal & Business Affairs team plays a key role in enabling partnerships with brands and producers while protecting ITV’s intellectual property and commercial interests.

The role..

We’re looking for a Legal & Business Affairs Manager to join ITV Studios Global Partnerships on a permanent basis. Reporting to the Senior Legal & Business Affairs Manager, you’ll help support both the Studio 55 Brand Licensing business and the Global Content Team with a particular focus on brand funded content.

This role will focus on drafting and negotiating agreements relating to brand licensing, sponsorship and brand-funded digital content, while also supporting the acquisition and commissioning of content for international distribution. You’ll work closely with commercial teams and external partners to structure deals, manage risk and ensure agreements are delivered efficiently.

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

• Drafting and negotiating agreements relating to brand sponsorship and brand-funded digital content
• Supporting brand licensing deals including merchandising, events, brand integrations and global digital rights exploitation
• Negotiating producer-for-hire agreements, talent agreements and other production-related contracts
• Drafting and negotiating distribution agreements with third-party producers for the acquisition of content.
• Supporting the acquisition of rights for digital and international exploitation of content
• Building strong relationships with internal commercial teams and external licensees
• Preparing amendments and variations to existing agreements
• Supporting rights enquiries and liaising with rights teams to ensure contracts and rights data are accurately recorded
  

Skills you’ll need (minimum criteria)

• Qualified solicitor (approximately 4–6+ years PQE) or equivalent
• Strong experience in commercial contracts and intellectual property law
• Experience drafting and negotiating commercial agreements within media, licensing or digital content
• Proven ability to manage negotiations and close deals within required timelines

Other things we’re looking for (key criteria)

• Strong understanding of intellectual property rights and their commercial value in media and brand licensing
• Experience working on brand licensing, brand-funded content, talent agreements, and/ or digital content agreements
• Excellent drafting and negotiation skills with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach
• Ability to build strong working relationships with both legal and commercial stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple deals and deadlines
• A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills
• Curious and motivated to develop expertise across new legal areas
• Ability to balance legal rigour with commercial priorities

Please note, on occasion we may receive a very large volume of applications which means applications for a role may close earlier than the referenced closing date. We’d encourage you to apply as soon as possible if interested.