Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs

This is a Full Time Job

POSITION OVERVIEW

Words + Pictures, a New York-based production company is looking for a qualified and highly motivated Vice President for its Business & Legal Affairs and Rights & Clearances Department. This role will take the lead on all day-to-day production legal, development, legal processes, risk management and rights & clearances. The position is a hybrid role, with an expectation of in-person at least three days per week, located in the SoHo district of NYC.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsibility for all production legal on projects in development and active production, including the deal-making process with talent, partners, creative collaborators, vendors, etc.
• Reviewing, drafting and/or redlining sales, financing, development, and production agreements, such as production service agreements, shopping / attachment agreements, talent, executive producer, director and writer agreements, rights agreements with leagues and other IP holders, and appearance /materials / location releases.
• Acting as a liaison between production / post-production / development teams and distributors regarding releases and various production agreements.
• Reviewing cuts of projects to flag potential legal and clearance issues and providing advice regarding the same.
Managing 3rd party legal resources for overflow production legal, when necessary.
• Drafting, in coordination with production teams, and reviewing E&O and production insurance applications and policies and coordinating all company-wide insurance matters.
• Communicating regularly with outside legal counsel, distributor business, and/or legal affairs executives.
Assisting with special projects and other tasks as required.

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of 10 years of experience working at entertainment law firm or in-house in the business affairs, legal, and/or rights and clearances department of a production company, cable or broadcast television network, studio, agency, or law firm.
JD from accredited law school, excellent academic credentials and membership in good standing of the New York State Bar (or eligible for RHIC).
• Strong initiative to take on tasks and to set priorities and deadlines, with a demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment.
• Excellent negotiation, drafting, and analytical skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent people skills and ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to successfully coordinate multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.

Requirements and Skills:

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment
• Strong analytical, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Willing to work extended hours, often under pressure
• Exceptional organizational and writing skills
• High attention to detail
• Self-sufficient and proactive approach to work
• Ability to interact and build relationships with colleagues, clients, and creative types
• Based in the New York City area, or willing to relocate
• Proficient in Google Workplace and Microsoft
• Prior experience in the television or film industry

Preferred (but not required) Qualifications

• Prior experience in sports entertainment
• A strong interest in documentary and unscripted television