Business Affairs Manager

BUSINESS AFFAIRS MANAGER - SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS (SFP) MAIN PURPOSE To support the Head of Business Affairs across SFP’s rights, legal and commercial activity in relation to its development slate and productions in the West End, on Broadway and internationally.

The Business Affairs Manager will take day-to-day responsibility for SFP’s rights portfolio, leading on the acquisition, management and exploitation of rights and handling related contractual and commercial matters. The role will also provide cover for investment administration as required. Working closely with the Head of Business Affairs, the Manager will help ensure the effective running of the department and provide experienced support and guidance to the Business Affairs Associate and Business Affairs Assistant, while enabling them to retain appropriate ownership of their work.

REPORTING STRUCTURE This position reports to the Head of Business Affairs and works closely with the Business Affairs Associate and Business Affairs Assistant. The role works across SFP’s Development, Production, General Management and Finance teams, and with authors, rights holders, agents, lawyers, investors, co-producers and other industry partners.

Key Responsibilities Rights Acquisition & Management

• Work with the Head of Business Affairs on the acquisition, protection and exploitation of rights across SFP’s development slate and productions.
• Draft, review and negotiate agreements for rights in plays and musicals, including new commissions, adaptations and translations, together with related options, extensions, renewals and amendments.
• Oversee SFP’s rights portfolio, working with the Business Affairs Associate and/or Assistant to maintain an accurate and efficient rights management system, ensuring that all key dates, restrictions, obligations, payments, approvals and reversions are effectively monitored and actioned in good time.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with authors, rights holders, agents and licensors, and provide clear rights information to colleagues across SFP.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

• Draft, negotiate and manage a broad range of agreements, including writer and creative team, co-production, transfer and enhancement, theatre and other production-related agreements.
• Provide clear, practical advice on contractual terms, obligations and risk, escalating significant or sensitive matters to the Head of Business Affairs.
• Manage allocated agreements from first draft through negotiation and signature.
• Maintain and develop SFP’s template agreements and precedents to reflect current practice across the slate.

Commercial & Investment Support

• Advise on legal and commercial matters arising from SFP’s development and producing activity, identifying risks and proposing practical solutions.
• Provide cover for investment administration when required, including investor paperwork, allocations, production funding, investment documentation and investor communications, working with Finance, General Management, co-producers and external advisers.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of relevant union and trade agreements, industry practice and legal developments, liaising with external legal advisers where required.

Team & Cross-Departmental Working

• Work with the Business Affairs team to plan priorities, share knowledge and ensure appropriate cover across the department.
• Provide guidance and proportionate review on rights and contractual matters, supporting the Business Affairs Associate to develop ownership of allocated deals and projects.
• Keep key trackers, records and precedents accurate and up to date, and support the appropriate allocation of work across the team.
• Work with Development, Production, General Management and Finance to support SFP’s development slate and productions.
• Attend SFP productions, industry events and meetings as required, which may include evening and weekend work.

Requirements Essential:

• Demonstrable experience in business affairs, rights management and/or legal affairs within theatre, live entertainment or another rights-led creative industry.
• Strong drafting and negotiation skills, sound commercial judgement and the ability to give clear, practical advice.
• A sound working knowledge of intellectual property, copyright, licensing and contractual principles.
• Excellent attention to detail, numeracy and organisational skill…