Senior Manager, Acquired Content & Feature Film (Business and Rights) (English Services) (Hybrid/Telework)

CBC/Radio-Canada•Toronto, ON

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

As Senior Manager of Program Acquisitions & Feature Films, you supervise a team of contract specialists and administrators who are responsible for negotiating and drafting hundreds of licenses and related agreements for CBC’s television network, CBC Gem and a host of other emerging digital platforms. You work closely with the Senior Directors of Business & Rights and Acquired Programs to set strategy and negotiating parameters for business deals, assessing market value and appropriate windowing for acquired programs. You effectively balance CBC’s forward-facing business needs, with current-day dynamics, managing relationships with domestic and international suppliers of various levels of sophistication. Where needed, you have the ability to review and assess the appropriate level of CBC and third-party funding to be included within the financing structure for, and distribution windowing of, original productions including feature films. The successful incumbent understands film and television financing and distribution and decides how to approach negotiations and structure deals to satisfy requirements of the multiple emerging platforms to which content is migrating and crafts contracts that represent and protect CBC's position.

Requirements

A post-secondary education, preferably with formal legal training and a minimum 5 years of relevant industry experience.
Hands-on experience with audio-visual financing, licensing and distribution and a deep understanding of both traditional and new models for film and television distribution across multiple jurisdictions.
In-depth knowledge of television and film production, negotiating techniques, contract law, entertainment and copyright law, corporate business practices, and basic knowledge of the funding rules of various agencies including Telefilm Canada, Ontario Creates, CAVCO and CMF.
Ability to comprehend and translate the needs of programmers into appropriate contracts within the constraints of the applicable regulatory bodies and funding guidelines.
Creativity and innovative problem solving skills to address all policy and production issues in a manner satisfactory to all parties.
Financial and contract management experience.
Experience managing staff with various levels of experience, preferably in a unionized environment.
Ability to handle multiple priorities, and work under pressure.
Strong understanding of emerging entertainment platforms and their various business models.
Strong computer skills.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Ability to exercise judgment and work independently taking initiative.
Strong analytical skills.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Able and willing to work beyond regular office hours during peak periods of activity as well as the flexibility to attend industry functions and events.
Candidates may be subject to skills and knowledge testing.
A mandatory Criminal record check.
Other background checks may be conducted based on the operational requirements of the position.

Nice To Haves

Bilingualism (French and English) an asset.

Responsibilities

Crafting and supervision of business deals for desired programs, including assessing the market value of television and digital rights based on the type of program, intended platforms for exploitation, desired exclusivity and telecast plans (where applicable). Requires detailed understanding of the nuances of the various broadcast and digital platforms exploited by CBC and others including without limitation, CRTC licensed services, BDU-operated services, so-called “Over the Top” services and US-originating services legally receivable in Canada.
Setting forward-looking rights strategies and cost effective business model structures for a wide range of content and platforms.
Supervision of programming deals from conception to completion, including financial and rights negotiation, contract negotiation, payment and rights management.
Responsible for deal tracking and reporting to senior management including regular presentations and recommendations based on trends and opportunities.
Overseeing the implementation of evolving rights management policies, including updating contract templates to keep pace with industry changes. Requires understanding of CBC’s rights management computer systems and supervision/recommendations re staff implementation and entry of newly developed rights into legacy systems, as well as roll-out/transfer of data to newly designed rights tracking and payment software systems anticipated to be rolled out in the coming fiscal year.
Supervising a team of unionized contract administrators and specialists including skills development and training as well as day to day support of their deal negotiations and legal contracting of business deals with licensors with varying levels of sophistication and experience.
Responsible for reviewing long form agreements and assisting in contract language changes as appropriate. Requires strong legal drafting skills and understanding of industry standard expectations regarding digital rights management, insurance, music tariffs and other audio-visual licensing considerations across multiple jurisdictions.
Reviewing documentation from external licensors, including but not limited to financing plans, third party rights agreements, agreements from public and private funding agencies, and regulatory bodies.