Are you ready to lead with innovation in the dynamic world of advertising? Join us at LERMA/ as we seek a visionary Director of Business Affairs to spearhead our operations and help us achieve new heights. This position offers a unique opportunity to be part of a small agency with a big future.
At LERMA/, we’re more than just an ad agency – we’re a collective of passionate storytellers, strategists, and creators committed to building brands, pushing boundaries, and delivering impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences worldwide.
As the Director of Business Affairs, you’ll play an integral role in the production of advertising campaigns, ensuring compliance with industry regulations and safeguarding the interests of our clients and the agency. You’ll lead a team of two Business Affairs managers, working closely with internal teams, clients, and external partners to negotiate contracts, resolve disputes, optimize client expectations and ensure all industry standards are upheld.
This role will encompass management of broadcast, digital/social media content, and print affairs from inception to completion and throughout the life of the work. The ideal candidate will possess thorough expertise in both union and non-union talent contracts, have worked with AI as a part of creative work, and know how to navigate all legal and clearance related issues associated with advertising, production, and branded content.
We’re seeking a team player with a creative mind and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced creative environment. You should have an extensive understanding of the production process from conception and bidding to final delivery. If you’re ready to make your mark in the advertising industry and drive impactful results, we want to hear from you.
RESPONSIBILITES:
- Extensive knowledge and ability to stay abreast of SAG-AFTRA regulations and guidelines, ensuring that all union advertising campaigns adhere to union rules regarding talent, compensation, and working conditions, including the music union.
- Consult with and advise clients and internal teams on union/non-union rules, labor regulations, and best practices and be available for questions, concerns, follow-ups, etc.
- Work with 3rd Party Signatory to handle any union claims, audits, or reporting requests as LERMA/ is a non-union entity.
- Collaborate closely with creative, account, and production teams to ensure alignment of objectives and seamless project execution, while exploring AI and other tech-forward forms of creative and production.
- Develop and implement strategic initiatives to optimize operational efficiency.
- Serve as a trusted advisor to senior agency leadership.
- Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the advertising business affairs team and Internal teams. Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Lead an annual Business Affairs educational presentation for internal creative and brand management teams.
- Manage a team of two (2) business affairs managers.
- Oversee all aspects of business affairs and team’s day-to-day, including but not limited to:
- Talent estimating and contracting (union and non-union) for commercial productions, including preparation of SAG contracts and non-union talent agreements.
- Negotiate celebrity/overscale/influencer agreements.
- Review creative for any clearances or licensing as necessary.
- Handle third-party clearances and licensing, including stock footage, movie/TV rights, music, props, etc.
- Work closely with outside legal counsel in resolving potential production liabilities and working through solutions.
- Prepare formal estimates with breakdowns and pertinent information in collaboration with assigned agency producer.
- Issue purchase orders, facilitate invoice approvals, payment and job actualization.
- Create production start-up documents, including production agreements, insurance coverage, and talent mandatories. Negotiate production agreements when necessary.
- Work closely with account teams to resolve any liability issues with assigned production, creating viable solutions/production frameworks.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Ideal candidate will have 15-20+ years experience in Advertising Business Affairs with prior management experience and a strong focus on all union (SAG-AFTRA, AFM, etc.) regulations.
- Strong knowledge of non-union production processes, including talent casting, contract negotiation, and post production.
- Strong knowledge of copyright, trademark, and licensing in the area of entertainment or advertising law.
- Extensive knowledge of SAG-AFTRA and AFM commercials contracts and processes.
- Extensive understanding of the production process from conception and bidding to final delivery.
- Excellent negotiation, leadership, and communication skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and clients.
- Exceptional organizational, prioritization, and time management skills with a strong attention to detail.
- Strong decision-making skills based on tactical collaboration and collective team input.
- Detail oriented with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Self-motivated in fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Ability to adapt to a variety of personalities, clients, and work situations.
- Quick and assertive while maintaining a professional composure in managing multiple projects/productions at one time.
- A passion for helping teams create their very best work in the smartest way possible.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Competitive salary based on experience
- Paid company holidays, vacation earned per year, sick leave
- Benefits: medical, dental, and vision, life/ADD and short-/long-term insurance
- Annual bonuses
- 401k and annual profit-sharing retirement plans
This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as needed. Pay commensurate with experience.