Director, Music Media Licensing, Nickelodeon

This is a Full Time Job

The Director of Music and Media Licensing will work closely with the Vice President (VP) to formulate licensing strategy and negotiate favorable rates for the use of music and other third party elements for the Nickelodeon Networks. The role will work across all aspects of programming including live action, animation, reality, scripted, short form, promos, and digital. The chosen candidate will be at the forefront of the production process, communicating regularly with Production teams (in-house and/or third party), Music Supervisors, Composers, Production Management, Nickelodeon Music & Talent, Creative, Marketing, Business Development, Digital/Viacom Digital Studios, Business and Legal Affairs, and IP Litigation teams, supporting strategy and securing clearances to execute and deliver on business initiatives.

Responsibilities
include but are not limited to:
• Work on projects assigned by the VP ranging from long and short form programming for linear and digital platforms, promos, in house productions, third party productions, re-clearances and more
• Liaise between Production Executives, Production Management, internal, and third party production companies to execute on Nickelodeon’s programming strategies
• Collaborate closely with the VP on the preparation of budgets, development of strategies, evaluation of rights and implementation of procedures to work within production parameters
• Attend greenlight meetings with Production and Development teams
• Work closely and collaborate with client groups
• Identify licensing issues and propose strategies and /or alternative solutions during the content production process to facilitate executing on creative. Review scripts/creative concepts to identify music, lyrics, footage, photos and third party intellectual property requiring clearance and/or further analysis
• Conduct copyright research and facilitate clearance requests. Negotiate licenses and permissions with copyright owners of music, film, TV, photography, video games, digital content, etc.
• Track and process all license payments
• Lead and participate in workshops for client groups, and build and foster good working relationships within Viacom Media Networks
• Prepare budget recommendations for music and other third party elements.
• Regular reporting of clearance costs to Production and Production Management via tracking grids and close communication
• Work closely with these depts and proactively suggest cost-saving options and alternatives
• Review and draft license agreements for clearances, composers, and digital music distribution
• Maintain contract files and tracking reports for all assigned programs/projects and ensure that licenses are executed and paid in a timely manner
• Ensure productions provide all necessary legal deliverables including music cue sheets in a timely
manner

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in a production company, advertising agency, film studio, television
network, music publisher, or record label
• BA in Television, Film, Communications, Publishing Marketing, Business preferred or equivalent experience
• In-depth knowledge and expertise in licensing music and other third party IP for all types of media platforms worldwide
• Prior negotiating experience is a must
• Tech-savvy individual proficient in all current document and database systems
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively across multiple departments
• Established relationships within the licensing community including but not limited to: record labels, music publishers, artist management, photo and footage licensors and production companies
• Comprehensive understanding of music and media industry trends
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex license agreements
• Ability to make effective presentations on rights and licensing related topics to client groups

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations,
e.g.; budgeting, tracking reports, controlled portions of compositions/fees
• Seeking a proactive contributor whom can both work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong interpersonal skills