Legal Business Affairs Executive, Content PayTV (FTC 12 mth)

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 5 (RTS Channel of the Year 2020, Grierson Award Best Single Documentary 2020, BAFTA for Specialist Factual 2024), MTV and Comedy Central (both are multiple Promax award-winning channels), Nickelodeon, BET, Paramount Network, Paramount + and Pluto 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, giving them ways to engage be optimistic and determinate whenever and wherever they want. We are pioneers in creating innovative programming for all targets by having agility and adaptability, our portfolio includes Jersey Shore, SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Yellowstone, MTV EMAs, South Park, Star Trek, Mission Impossible, Transformers, Dexter and many more.

The BALA team in London are a hugely trusted and well-respected team working across all the platforms and channel brands in the UK and internationally. The team partners with the business to deliver first class business and legal affairs support to the commissioning and in house production teams in the creation of an enormous variety of content, delivering the content strategy and vision across all the Paramount distribution network.

IS THIS ROLE FOR YOU?

This is a Legal Business Affairs Executive role that will assist the BALA Content team’s activities and support the commissioning, creation and delivery of original content, in-house produced content and creative/marketing assets, across multiple genres, territories and platforms, through your efforts as well as working with your team and the wider BALA community.

The role is suitable for a junior commercial/IP media lawyer or senior paralegal with experience in commissioning, original long-form productions for Paramount's linear channels, digital platforms and vendor agreements for creative services. The preferred candidate will have experience working at a junior level within a team of lawyers and/or business affairs professionals in production, commissioning and/or marketing or advertising, with a solid understanding of intellectual property rights in the media industry. Experience in public service broadcasting and other media organisations, working with talent, agents and creative services vendors in the UK and internationally is desirable, as is a passion for multi-media content creation and delivery. 

You will support the negotiation and drafting of new development, commissioning and production agreements (including but not limited to talent, voiceover, graphics, creative assets, location, studio agreements and other production releases), as well as the extension or revision of existing contracts – working with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders, including commissioning and commercial leads as well as producers, creatives and agencies. Responsibilities and workflow may change depending on the needs of the business so the ability to adapt to changing requirements is essential. 

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Responsibilities may include but not be limited to the following:

• Make contact with relevant internal stakeholder(s) and producers to negotiate and agree heads of terms
• Draft and negotiate development and production agreements/amendments to obtain rights and rights extensions for Paramount
• Manage workflows and spreadsheets in a timely and efficient manner to be able to track negotiation status at any one time
• Regularly liaise with stakeholders within the BALA team and wider business by updating in writing or verbally including taking part in meetings as required
• Highlight problem areas and escalate as appropriate within the team
• Collaborate with other BALA Legal and Business Affairs Executives/Trainees and Coordinators to ensure effective communication, information sharing and allocation
• Assist with the drafting and negotiation (with supervision and guidance as appropriate) of other agreements within the BALA Content scope of work
• Act as general legal support for other members of the team on occasions, including drafting, ad hoc projects which may include rights audits, research, process notes etc
• The departmental lead contact/liaison with Paramount business units in advising and documenting intellectual property rights secured by the Pay TV team
• Contributing towards team meetings and initiatives and best practice workflows including improving contract templates and processes as required
• Carrying out ad hoc administrative tasks where required

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• Candidate with a background in law and prior experience working for a broadcaster, other media organisation, or as a senior paralegal in a law firm
• A team player who is flexible, open, enthusiastic and organised and not fazed by dealing with a large volume of contracts
• The ability to draft and negotiate in writing and verbally a variety of agreements
• Excellent IT skills in all major systems including Word, Excel, Outlook and Powerpoint
• Experience in broadcast rights, rights exploitation and scheduling
• Knowledge and understanding of contracts
• Understanding of rights clearance
• Good knowledge of rights in the context of TV and beyond and acquiring the best rights position in such negotiations

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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. 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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