Associate Manager, Business & Legal Affairs

Role Title: Associate Manager, Business & Legal Affairs Term: 12 months FTC – maternity leave cover Location: London Division: Universal International Studios Reporting to: VP, Business & Legal Affairs JOB DESCRIPTION The primary responsibility of this role is to provide business and legal affairs (“BALA”) support to NBCUniversal Formats, the international sales division responsible for all formats created within the production, broadcast and streaming divisions of NBCUniversal and Sky Studios, as well as select third parties. The group fosters an array of strategic alliances, co-production and co-development partnerships to bring new and existing content to the global market. NBCUniversal Formats sits within Universal International Studios (“UIS”), a division of Universal Studio Group. NBCUniversal Formats represents a vast and diverse slate of non-scripted and scripted formats. Leading brands include: Emmy Award-winning comedy showcase Saturday Night Live, global success series Top Chef, hit game show That's My Jam, global franchise The Real Housewives, entertainment shows such House of Villains and The Tonight Show, factual entertainment shows Million Dollar Listing and The Secret Life of the Zoo, in addition to scripted formats such as Suits, House, The Sinner, The Good Place and Superstore (among many more). This role will report to VP of Business & Legal Affairs but will involve working with other members of the UK based central UIS BALA team, the Formats Sales & Production team and other BALA teams across NBCUniversal. The role will involve, among other things: drafting and negotiating various format agreements (including but not limited to options, licences, acquisition, co-development and co-production agreements), advising on rights and IP issues, managing stakeholder relationships across NBCUniversal, working alongside global BALA teams, and collaborating with all studio, production, channel and platform entities within Universal Television Entertainment. The role may also involve ad hoc assistance more generally with BALA matters across USG’s UK-based scripted and non-scripted studio and production companies. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Legal Advisory & Stakeholder Support •Working with the BALA team at UIS on all matters relating to NBCUniversal Formats. •Being the primary ‘point person’ for all BALA-related queries for the sales and production team of NBCUniversal Formats, escalating to VP Business & Legal Affairs where necessary, and working closely with the Contracts Executive (also assigned to NBCUniversal Formats). •Performing any other BALA related tasks as needed and assigned by VP Business & Legal Affairs. Contract Drafting, Negotiation & Commercial Agreements •Drafting and negotiating agreements with international clients such as production companies, broadcasters and OTT platforms. •Drafting and negotiating all forms of agreements required by the group, including but not limited to: acquisition, distribution, options, licences, consultancy / EP services, co-development and co-production and ancillary rights agreements. Rights Management & Intellectual Property •Liaising with NBCUniversal’s IP Group in both the US and UK regarding rights analyses, clearance and ad hoc IP queries, trademarks and any IP infringement issues. •Managing BALA elements of ancillary commercial/IP exploitation deals (e.g. sponsorship and brand licensing) in connection with format licensing. Deal Lifecycle & Process Management •Managing the process and life-cycle of all BALA related elements to a format deal, from clearing IP rights to option, license, and support as required during development, production and distribution. •Liaising with BALA teams worldwide in respect of rights, clearance and business/stakeholder approvals. Compliance & Governance •Assisting with UIS compliance protocols and processes. Cross Functional Collaboration & Relationship Management •Building strong relationships with all teams within UIS including Formats Sales & Production, Finance and Comms. •Building strong relationships with BALA teams across NBCUniversal including production, channel and platform entities within Universal Television Entertainment.