Senior Manager, Business Affairs

Los Angeles, CA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 30+ days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

GALE is a business agency that brings business insights to brand storytelling and activates it across every channel. With expertise in business strategy media CRM addressable and brand communications performance marketing and technology GALE creates integrated marketing systems and communications that grow businesses.

Founded in 2014 the agency currently has offices in New York Toronto. Los Angeles Austin Denver Detroit London Bengaluru Singapore.

Some brands we work with: MilkPEP Cotton Amazon Abbott FSL Diageo Brands Chilis and more. If youre driven by a passion to build something great a desire to innovate and a commitment to achieve excellence in your craft GALE is a great place for you.

As a global agency we are currently hiring across multiple locations within North American please apply today to learn more. You can check our office locations here.

Your Role: We are seeking a Senior Business Affairs Manager to lead business affairs for Creative Production across broadcast digital social and emerging platforms. You will drive creative vetting structure usage rights and buyouts negotiate talent and production/vendor agreements and partner closely with Production Creative Legal and Finance to deliver work that is both creatively ambitious and contractually sound. This role involves leading the business affairs work across multiple clients and providing clear business affairs guidance directly to clients while assisting with legal compliance contract negotiations risk management and coordination with various departments to ensure smooth production processes.

What you will be doing:

Creative vetting and risk management

Review scripts boards treatments and rough cuts for legal and reputational risk (claims comparatives disclaimers substantiation background IP trademarks likeness privacy).

Translate creative into clear rights parameters (term territory media lifts/edits exclusivity competitive separation) and cost/feasibility implications.

Partner with Creative and Production early to pre-clear higher-risk elements and align on mitigations.

Talent and usage (primarily non-union U.S. with global as needed)

Lead non-union casting strategy usage and buyout structures conflicts checks exclusivity terms competitive separation and renewal paths.

Draft/negotiation: performer agreements appearance releases minor releases (as applicable) and usage calendars.

Maintain rights trackers and renewal alerts; ensure clean audit trails and on-time renewals.

Monitor market norms and rate benchmarks; advise on optimization scenarios (e.g. modular edits cutdowns media mixes).

Production and vendor contracting

Draft review and negotiate: production company/MSA/SOWs director & producer agreements post/VFX/animation SOWs location and equipment rentals NDAs and service agreements.

Guide triple-bid and award processes per AICP and agency standards; ensure COIs indemnities and deliverable specs are in place.

Manage international production nuances as needed (permits child labor rules data transfer work-for-hire/IP assignments local marketing laws).

Music IP and clearances

Oversee sync/master licensing composer work-for-hire and PRO considerations; structure buyouts or limited-term licenses aligned to media plans.

Coordinate legal clearances for trademarks artwork third-party footage UGC and influencer content; avoid soundalike/passing-off and personality rights risks.

Financial stewardship and operations

Partner with Production and Finance on bidding cost reporting and actualization; model talent/usage costs and renewal scenarios.

Utilize Maconomy for project setup PO management and reconciliation; maintain documentation to support audits and client requirements.

Work with preferred payroll vendor on performer onboarding timekeeping penalties and payments; oversee accurate coding and record-keeping.

Process tools and leadership

Provide BA thought leadership to the other functions within GALESet standards SLAs and capacity plans.

Build and maintain templates clause libraries rights calendars and contract databases; drive continuous improvement.

Support and implement contract management and Digital Assets Management systems.

Track industry updates (AICP platform policies privacy laws international advertising rules) and train stakeholders.

Who you are

At least 710 years in Business Affairs for commercial production within an agency environment (or equivalent production company experience supporting agencies/brands).

Deep experience with non-union talent workflows usage/buyouts renewals and conflicts/exclusivity management; familiarity with international usage norms.

Strong track record negotiating production vendor director talent music and post agreements; expert redlining and drafting.

Creative vetting expertise: claims disclosures comparative advertising and clearance risk.

Financial acumen: bidding support cost actualization scenario modeling for talent/usage; hands-on experience with Maconomy strongly preferred.

Comfortable partnering with payroll providers; experience with TEAM / CMS preferred.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Excellent stakeholder management communication and prioritization under tight timelines.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills and experience in interacting directly with clients.

Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving abilities.

Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced dynamic environment.

Leadership and team management skills

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We believe in inclusivity and do our best work when people with diverse perspectives backgrounds and skills are brought together. Our Core Values are at the root of GALEs collaborative environment and help to foster a strong community. Our Code of Conduct Human Resources policies and executive investment in inclusion further support and protect GALEs inclusive workplace. GALE is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin veteran or disability status.

Our Hiring Process

We want you to be just as discerning in making your next career move as we are finding great talent to join our team. Our interview process will allow you to meet a range of people from various disciplines and domains. Please discuss with our recruiters if you require any accommodations throughout the process to help enable a smooth interview.

Required Experience:

Senior Manager