Wieden+Kennedy
Position Title: Sr. Business Affairs Manager
Position Reports to: Director of Business Affairs
General Position Summary
Wieden+Kennedy believes that each team member makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities outlined in a job description. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications and job scope but not limit the employee or the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each team member will offer his/her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors and to pursue individual career growth.
The Sr. Business Affairs Manager is responsible for managing and overseeing television, radio, digital and integrated productions, as well as balancing needs of the client with the desired outcome of the creatives and legal advertising guidelines.
Major Responsibilities/Primary Functions
Executes SAG/AFTRA/AFM commercial contracts; handles all union (SAG, AFTRA, AFM, AICP, ASCAP, BMI, etc.) questions, issues and claims
Works closely with Producers in all business aspects of integrated production, including preparing bid packages, generating production estimates, issuing vendor purchase orders, overseeing/approving production invoices, monitoring production costs and reconciling/closing production jobs upon completion
Participate in Creative Development and Production meetings to help ensure the viability of a concept to be produced and finds ways to make the difficult easy and the impossible possible; reviews scripts for potential red flags, licensing and/or network clearance issues
Negotiates all production and vendor contracts by working directly with production companies and vendors
Secures legal clearances, prepares contracts and manages payments for commercial use of Third party rights holders
Negotiates terms, prepares contracts and makes payments for scale and overscale celebrity talent, stock footage licensing, and synchronization and master recording rights
Oversees insurance coverage for the production of commercials
Liaises with and builds strong working relationships with client Business Affairs department
Works closely with Accounting to approve vendor payments, handle purchase order and estimate discrepancies, and prepare client fiscal year-end accruals
Reviews all agency print work for any potential legal issues and obtains any appropriate clearances on comps (ads in the concept phase) and mechanicals (rough-cut phase), through to final color proofs as necessary
Trains junior account team members and associate producers on broadcast procedures, union contract regulations and talent residual payment structures
Stays current on legal issues associated with advertising (licensing language, trademark, rights of privacy/publicity, unions, copyright, production insurance)
Qualifications, Distinguishing Characteristics and Special Requirements
Bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years’ experience as a Business Affairs Manager at a creative advertising agency
Strong working knowledge of SAG, AFTRA and AFM union contracts
Knowledge of music licensing, stock footage licensing and intellectual property licensing for broadcast and interactive media
Understanding of copyright, trademark and network clearance procedure
Knowledge of AICP and AICE bid forms and production procedures and issues
Strong math and analytical skills
A proven track record of gaining trust and respect by consistently demonstrating sound critical-thinking skills and maintaining composure in stressful situations
Exceptional written, negotiation and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of employees, clients and vendors
Exceptional initiative, attention to detail and follow-through skills
After-hours work and overnight travel required