Senior Business Affairs Manager (Based in Kansas City, MO or Chicago, IL)
We are looking for a strong leader for our Business Affairs team. The ideal candidate must be well versed in SAG-AFTRA Commercials contracts, third party rights for creative assets and relentless about making great creative work. You are a partner to producers while working across agency departments including Creative, Client Experience, PR, Legal, and Finance.
This position reports into the Director of Business Affairs.
Responsibilities:- Maintain deep expertise in the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract, including union waivers (e.g., Low Budget Digital, Social Media/YouTube, Influencer, Testimonial, Man-on-the-Street, etc).
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the evolving use of AI in production workflows, including implications for talent, licensing, intellectual property, and union compliance.
- Serve as a core member of the Production Team, regularly available to Producers, including sometimes outside of standard business hours should your projects needs require.
- Work collaboratively as a partner to Producers, PR, and Client Experience teams to review creative work for legal implications (e.g., third party clearances, intellectual property, licensing, likeness releases, use of logos/artwork, trademarks, etc.) and traffic/network implications (e.g., supers, substantiation, etc.)
- Generate talent estimates (sessions and usage) and provide guidance on most cost-effective ways of managing talent residual budgets. Proficiency with Extreme Reach is required.
- Own the responsibility of drafting client facing production estimates, production contracts, casting specs, releases, affidavits, music rights agreements and all other necessary documents in concert with agency legal counsel
- Lead celebrity and popular music license negotiations when required with agency legal counsel
- Prepare performer contracts/releases and review all executed contracts & licenses for accuracy.
- Manage all talent and production billing including production advances and other scheduled payments.
- Partner with producers to secure stock footage and image rights as required by the work and usage requirements.
- Prepare and submit spot session reports, completion reports, and use advices via the ER platform.
- Mange holding fees and expirations via the ER platform.
- Manage all renegotiations including talent, music, and photography.
- Proactively work in educating other departments on the aspects of the SAG Commercial contract, licensing, talent, and intellectual property regarding all aspects of our work.
- Film Tax Credit knowledge and filing experience a plus
- Maintain strong industry relationships with peers at other agencies, music, and production partners.
Qualifications: - A minimum of 3-5 years of experience specific to the advertising industry in a Business Affairs Role.
- Must have proficient and current knowledge of SAG-AFTRA commercial contracts
- Self-starter who can work independently in a fast-paced environment while also a team player who can collaborate in that same environment.
- Strong attention to detail, high degree of accuracy and work well under pressure
- Strong negotiation and contract management skills
- Willingness to speak up, lead tough conversations, and be solutions-oriented
