Senior Manager, Business Affairs

R/GA•New York City, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The R/GA Studio’s mission is to advance storytelling through the use of emerging technology. The Studio produces a wide range of video, motion, audio, 3D and computer-generated graphics, photography, and social and influencer-led content, all tailored to our clients’ business needs. The team is made up of editors, animators, motion-graphics specialists, creative technologists, strategists, and producers with experience spanning traditional agency broadcast work through production-company-style line production. Studio producers partner closely with Business Affairs to conceive, create, and deliver work that moves our clients’ businesses forward. The Senior Manager, Business Affairs supports projects across all of R/GA US and may occasionally support projects for our international offices as needed.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in a Business Affairs or similar role within an advertising agency
Experience supporting pharmaceutical clients and navigating regulated environments
Fluency across a broad range of production types, including TVC, digital, social, and AI-enabled content
Strong working knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercial Codes and union/non-union talent engagement
Proven experience negotiating, drafting and administering contracts, including SOWs, licensing and talent agreements, vendor contracts, and purchase orders
Hands-on production experience, including shoot support
Experience partnering with Risk Management to evaluate production and contractual risk
Strong operational and documentation management capabilities
Solid project management skills and knowledge of advertising and marketing production processes
Proficiency with Extreme Reach, AdStream, or similar talent and traffic management platforms
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, estimation, and cost analysis
Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 4–5 times per year, as needed
This role operates on Eastern Time.
Regular in-person collaboration is expected, and candidates based in New York City or willing to relocate are encouraged to apply.

Nice To Haves

Communicates clearly and confidently, with strong verbal and written skills
Is a calm, steady presence under pressure and able to manage competing priorities with confidence
Brings a detail-oriented, highly organized approach to complex work while maintaining a positive, solutions-focused mindset
Thinks creatively and pragmatically to find smart, unconventional solutions to production challenges
Is curious about emerging technologies and interested in how they can improve production workflows and processes
Demonstrates strong judgment and accountability when navigating legal, financial, and operational considerations
Partners effectively across disciplines to move work forward
Leads by example and mentors others on best practices related to Business Affairs

Responsibilities

Draft, review, and negotiate client Statements of Work (SOWs), outlining deliverables, staffing plans, production management requirements, creative reviews, and key legal considerations
Draft and review vendor agreements to ensure compliance with client SOWs and Master Services Agreements (MSAs)
Provide producers and client teams with accurate estimates for union and non-union talent, including session fees, usage, residuals, and music-related costs
Review AICP/AICE, animation, photography, and music bids in partnership with Producers
Collaborate with cost consultants to ensure adherence to client budgeting parameters and contractual guidelines
Lead and advise on compliance for AI-generated content and evolving social media usage rights beyond traditional TV and radio boundaries
Conduct trademark searches for proposed branding, taglines, signage, and design elements
Draft, review, negotiate, and manage union and non-union talent agreements, including celebrity and influencer contracts, for domestic and global media
Review creative materials and advise agency teams on talent, copyright, and intellectual property considerations
Negotiate terms and conditions with production vendors
Manage and control production budgets in partnership with Producers.
Partner with producers and creative teams to problem-solve across all aspects of content production
Partner with Finance to manage and expedite vendor payments
Collaborate with creative teams to review concepts and provide solution-oriented guidance on navigating client, legal, and regulatory constraints
Work with internal teams to track MSA requirements throughout the lifecycle of a project
Liaise with network broadcast standards departments to support spot clearance
Support broadcast and digital trafficking as needed