Vice President, Creator and Talent Business Affairs

Daniel J. Edelman•Chicago, NY

20d

About The Position

Daniel J. Edelman Holdings (DJEH) is seeking an experienced Vice President to serve as a senior member of its Business Affairs function. Reporting to the EVP, Global Creator and Talent Business Affairs, the role focuses on transactions across the creator economy, including matters involving creators, influencers, talent and celebrities; brand partnerships and endorsements; social and digital content; intellectual property and licensing; and related advertising and marketing programs. The VP will work with Creator, Talent, Account and Creative stakeholders to negotiate transactions, advise on rights and risk, and provide practical guidance on advertising laws, endorsement and disclosure requirements, and intellectual property. In partnership with the EVP and other Business Affairs leaders, the VP will also develop and implement policies, processes, templates and best practices for creator and talent contracting, advertising and endorsement compliance, rights management and third-party risk. The position calls for strong deal-making and contracting expertise, sophisticated knowledge of the creator and talent landscape, commercial judgment, and discretion.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive experience in Business Affairs, advertising, entertainment, media, creator or influencer marketing, talent, intellectual property or a closely related transactional role.
Ability to manage high-pressure programs with concurrent deadlines and a high volume of transactions, coordinate multiple stakeholders, assess risk quickly and navigate ambiguity.
Significant experience independently structuring and negotiating creator, influencer, talent, celebrity, endorsement and other rights-driven transactions with sophisticated counterparties.
Demonstrated success managing and developing junior team members, with the ability to mentor and upskill colleagues.
Strong deal-making and contracting expertise, sophisticated understanding of the creator and talent landscape, and sound commercial judgment.

Nice To Haves

A JD and experience practicing advertising, entertainment, media or intellectual property law are strongly preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead Business Affairs matters involving creators, influencers, talent and celebrities, including structuring, reviewing and negotiating agreements for brand partnerships, endorsements, ambassador programs, social and digital content, appearances, licensing and other rights-driven transactions.
Advise on commercial and contractual terms, including compensation, services and deliverables, content requirements, usage, term, territory, media, exclusivity, category restrictions, approvals, intellectual property, name, image and likeness and publicity rights, cancellation and termination.
Provide practical Business Affairs and risk-mitigation guidance for creator and talent programs across social, digital, experiential, broadcast, print and other marketing channels, including intellectual property, licensing, music, third-party content and other rights considerations.
Advise on advertising, endorsement and disclosure requirements for creator and talent programs, including FTC requirements on material connections, testimonials and endorsements, sponsored content and platform-specific disclosure practices.
Review Statements of Work, campaign scopes and related client documentation to identify and address creator and talent contracting, rights, disclosure and other Business Affairs considerations.
Serve as a trusted advisor to business leaders and client teams on complex, sensitive or novel creator and talent matters, providing pragmatic recommendations that balance creative and commercial objectives with contractual, regulatory and reputational risk.
Develop and help implement policies, playbooks, templates, processes and best practices for creator and talent contracting, endorsement compliance, rights management and related areas.
Manage multiple complex and high-priority matters simultaneously while exercising sound judgment, confidentiality and discretion.
Manage and develop junior team members, including mentoring, upskilling and building capabilities.