Business Affairs Manager ( Manager, Contracts)

We are pioneers at heart. What this means, is that we are always leaning forward, thinking of what we can create tomorrow that does not exist today. We were born digital and we are a new model of agency, with a deep skillset in tech and marketing. That’s why we hire curious, self-driven, talented people who never stop innovating.

Our culture is big enough to cope and small enough to care. Meaning, that with people across 20+ countries, we’re big enough to provide you with the best tools, global opportunities, and benefits that help you thrive. While acting small by investing in you, your growth, your team, and giving you the autonomy to solve our clients' problems, no matter where you are in the world. 

• →Cross-Functional Collaboration: Closely collaborate with cross-functional partners to align on contract terms, deliverables, and compliance standards, such teams may include: Legal, Project Management, Influencer Management, Production and Creative leads.
• →Risk Mitigation: Identify potential risks in creative development, production approaches, and contracts. Develop mitigation plans and advise internal teams on best practices to ensure that all projects adhere to best practices, internal policies and guidelines. 
• →Creative Guidance: Assist creative teams with oversight and review of any concerns regarding intellectual property licensing, and talent usage rights.
• →Bid & Treatment Review: Evaluate production bids and creative treatments against project scopes and budgets. Partner with production teams to analyze line-item budgets, and assess director treatments early to identify potential financial, legal, or compliance risks before awarding
• →Production and Talent Agreements: Draft and review Master Services Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs) for large-scale live-action productions, animation projects, and creator-driven video content, ensuring clear scopes, deliverables, and timelines. Manage contracts for on-screen and voice talent, influencers, and creators, including usage rights, buyouts, and compliance with union/non-union guidelines.
• →Regulatory Compliance: Monitor industry regulations and legal requirements relevant to advertising and marketing practices, and advise the team on compliance matters.
• →Document Tracking: Implement and maintain systems for tracking contract statuses, expirations, and renewals.

• 2+ years of experience in business affairs, legal or compliance roles within the advertising and marketing industry with a successful track record of negotiating, drafting and closing deals with a preference for experience from a top, creative-driven agency.
• Proven experience in commercial contract negotiations (including but not limited to Talent agreements, PSAs, MSAs, SOWs) for content, media, creator, and large-scale productions.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Law, or related field (JD preferred but not required).
• Fluency working with advertising agencies, media companies, publishers and production companies with a solid understanding of a range of content production and execution strategies.
• Strong understanding of intellectual property rights (e.g., trademarks, copyright, etc.), licensing, and talent usage rights.
• Experience with social networking, platform integrations, publishing platforms, broadcast & new media.
• Experience with content and media production and right clearance.
• Knowledge of digital marketing, media buying and production processes.
• Experienced with union and non-union productions (SAG/AFTRA, IATSE), branded partnerships, interactive and/or social landscapes is highly preferred
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

DEPT® is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We believe our work is its best when our people feel safe and free to be themselves. We’re committed to an inclusive and barrier-free recruitment and selection process and workplace, regardless of anyone’s identity, background, beliefs, lifestyle or disabilities. So tell us about any accommodations you need. It’s totally confidential and only used to make sure you feel fully supported at every step. 

DEPT® participates in E-Verify, meaning your Form I-9 information will be sent to the federal government to confirm you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

We are a B Corp-certified company passionate about purpose-driven work.  Our hope is that you can feel good about the contributions DEPT® is making to the world and we always have an open door for your ideas in making the world a better place. 

DEPT® is a pioneering technology and marketing services company that creates integrated end-to-end digital experiences for brands such as Google, KFC, Philips, Audi, Twitch, Patagonia, eBay and more. Its team of 2,500+ digital specialists across 30+ locations on 5 continents delivers pioneering work on a global scale with a boutique culture. 

Learn more about DEPT®

At DEPT®, we take pride in creating an inclusive workplace where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. We actively seek to recruit, develop, nurture, and retain talented individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying skills and perspectives.

Not sure you meet all qualifications? Apply, and let us decide! Research shows that women and members of underrepresented groups tend not to apply for jobs when they think they may not meet every requirement, when in fact they do. We believe in giving everyone a fair chance to shine. 

We also encourage you  to reach out to us and discuss any reasonable adjustments we can make to support you throughout the recruitment process and your time with us.

Want to know more about our dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Check out our efforts here.