Manager, English Scripted Business Affairs (Toronto)

Job Description

The Manager, English Scripted Business Affairs (Toronto) plays a key role in the management of business affairs for the English Scripted department of Sphere Media Toronto, acting as the central liaison for business affairs with external partners and internal departments while reporting to the SVP, Business Affairs, English Scripted.

Key to communication flow, production financing and deal flow this position acts as the hub between English Scripted Toronto, Finance, internal Business Affairs and Business Affairs of external partners to ensure the successful financing and completion of projects in development and production.

Responsibilities Include:

· Leading English Scripted Development and Production departments in the coordination, tracking and management of all business affairs elements to ensure clear flow of communication both internally and externally

· Ensures proper information and communication flow on all business-related matters between English Scripted and internal departments

· Acts as the day-to-day communicator with the business affairs departments of broadcasters, financiers and other external stakeholders

· Interpret guidelines, rules and regulations, etc. and advises English Scripted team on eligibility for external funding.

· Tracks and manages external funding deliveries and invoicing, coordinating with internal departments as needed

· Manages and oversees submission of all external funding and tax credit applications on time and within the guidelines, coordinating with internal departments as needed

· Creates and maintains tracking systems for all Business Affairs related elements for English Scripted projects

· Elevates and works to resolve business affairs related issues as needed with various internal departments

Tasks Include:

Development
Responsible for business affairs management in the following areas:

· Acts as the “hub” between Development, Business Affairs and Finance internally, ensuring clear flow of communication and documentation between departments;

· Tracks important dates and timelines, including rights management, external funding deadlines and delivery deadlines

· Oversee all external financing applications, including CMF and associated development financing agreements

· Oversee project-specific drawdowns for financing and payments, communicating between Development, Finance, BA and external parties as needed

· Acts as the first point of contact with external business affairs departments

Production/Post

Responsible for business affairs management in the following areas:

· Drafts, negotiates and/or reviews business affairs documentation including:

· Writers and Story Editor Agreements

· talent & HOD agreements

· Location and rental agreements

· Credits, Paid Ads, & other obligations statements

· Approval and restriction summaries for talent, dubbing as well as advertising and promotional

· Production agreements templates for use by production

· Music agreements and paperwork

· all WGC documentation required for production

· Clearances Package for Production including Release Templates

· Advise senior leadership team and executive producers on various business and legal issues related to content production, rights clearances, distribution and other issues as needed.

· Manage business matters related to production, distribution and co-production (both interprovincial and foreign)

· Location & DPR Summary for closeout applications

· Feed into license and distribution agreements

· Liaise with external counsel, as needed.

· Manages and tracks required production business affairs documentation including:

· Assist with bank closing documentation, together with Finance and Production departments

· Legal and Business Affairs delivery components to all financiers

· Proof of Residency declarations and CAVCO IDs

· Errors & Omissions insurance and Additional Insured certificates

· Assist in ensuring compliance with Canadian content regulations (CAVCO, CRTC) and international co-production treaties.

· Manages the submission, tracking and delivery of the following:

· All external funding applications including CMF, Bell Fund, COGECO, Ontario Creates, NOHFC and others as applicable including overseeing the close out of such funding following delivery

· Official Treaty Co-Production applications

· Guild adherence and ongoing administration

· Title Report/Opinion

· US & Canadian Copyright Registration

· ISAN Registration

· CFM/AFM application and Letter of Adherence - plus delivery to broadcaster

· CRTC applications

· Tax credit applications

· Copyright Reports

Qualifications:

· 8-10 years’ experience in a business affairs role with an established media production company

· Strong oral and written skills

· Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work in a high paced environment

· Ability to interpret and evaluate information to solve complex problems and drive decision making

· Demonstrated understanding of Canadian rules and regulations in the industry

· Entrepreneurial spirit

· Solid understanding of artist collective agreements (e.g. WGC, ACTRA, WGA, DGA, etc.)

Requirements
• Strong oral and written skills • Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work in a high paced environment • Ability to interpret and evaluate information to solve complex problems and drive decision making • Demonstrated understanding of Canadian rules and regulations in the industry • Entrepreneurial spirit • Solid understanding of artist collective agreements (e.g. WGC, ACTRA, WGA, DGA, etc.)