Job Title: Senior Legal & Business Affairs Manager/Executive
Department: Commercial Affairs – Film4
Location: London
Job Grade: L2
Job Purpose
Commercial Affairs is responsible for the financial, legal and business aspects of Channel 4’s content supply and negotiates all contractual, financial and other deal terms between Channel 4 and content suppliers. Film4 is the division of Channel 4 which develops, finances and produces feature films for theatrical release and broadcast on the Channel. The purpose of the role is to provide legal and business affairs support to Film4.
Key Responsibilities
- Take a senior role in the legal and business support provided to the Film4 commissioning and sales/distribution teams across all stages of film developments, financing, production and sales/distribution.
- Review, draft and negotiate all agreements and documentation related to film productions, including production financing, distribution agreements, sales agency agreements, chain of title documents, completion guarantee documents, inter‑party and mutual funding agreements, key cast and crew agreements, co‑production agreements and security agreements; report and advise on those documents to Film4 and negotiate terms with relevant third parties.
- With oversight from the Head of Legal & Business Affairs, review finance plans for productions and negotiate Film4’s recoupment position in respect of its investment in productions, conduct due diligence in relation to Film4’s investment and prepare project appraisal papers for the Greenlight committee.
- Draft and negotiate standard development agreements with independent producers and review and negotiate terms for development deals with screenwriters, directors and other development contributors.
- Review, draft all underlying rights agreements and chain of title and advise Film4/assist producers with chain of title and clearance issues.
- Draft and negotiate Film4 licence agreements in respect of free television and related VOD rights and manage all new media and cross‑platform aspects of productions, including right, windowing and clearance issues, and liaise with the relevant internal departments (e.g. Acquisitions/Rights).
- Deal with miscellaneous legal issues relevant to general Film4 business, including tax issues (e.g. UK Tax Credit), guild agreements and film policy as well as help implement department and Channel wide projects and initiatives.
- Draft and maintain know‑how materials and information relevant to general Film4 business and supervise and mentor junior members of the Film4 BA team.
- Assist with, where required, and monitor local PFC paperwork and status lists and routinely review system reporting within Commercial Affairs.
- Assist with, where required, maintenance of rights, options and other databases.
- Attend commissioning and legal routines and other meetings (external and internal).
Skills and Experience
Qualifications & Training
- Lawyer with significant post‑qualification experience, or equivalent.
- Proven track record specialising in commercial and entertainment law, with an emphasis on film financing, production and distribution, contract law and copyright.
- Ideally prior experience in a media legal practice and/or in‑house legal experience in a media/production company, film financing company or broadcaster.
Essential Skills
- Strong drafting and negotiation skills. Sound understanding of film development, financing and production, in particular the complex issues arising and competing interests of the various parties involved in film financings.
- Strong business acumen and commercial judgement and a proactive problem‑solving attitude.
- Strong interpersonal skills are essential. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a diverse team environment. Mentoring junior team members and role‑modeling senior team member behaviours through proactive information sharing and an open and inclusive communication style.
- Excellent administrative and organisational skills.
Desirable Skills
- Ability to work autonomously and take lead on film financing closing transactions.
- Familiarity with wider media issues including distribution, new media and cross‑platform issues and demonstration of an understanding of the issues affecting Channel 4 and its remit.
Basic Salary
Starting from £91,163.00 per annum.
Benefits
- Private medical insurance
- Free virtual GP access for employees
- Free female health hormone test each year
- Free Tastecard membership
- Financial guidance 1‑2‑1s available each quarter
- Discounted gym memberships
- Pension
- Life assurance
- Income protection
- Holiday purchase
- Hybrid working: From September 2023, Channel 4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week. Employees have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.
Equal Opportunities
Channel 4’s purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK. We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
Disability Confident Scheme: Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension’s Disability Confident scheme – Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long‑term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.
Care Leaver Friendly Employer: Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under‑served and under‑represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.
Workplace Adjustments: We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and supporting while employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long‑term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via recruitment@channel4.co.uk.
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