Manager, English Scripted Business Affairs (Toronto)

The Manager English Scripted Business Affairs (Toronto) plays a key role in the management of business affairs for the English Scripted department of Sphere Media Toronto acting as the central liaison for business affairs with external partners and internal departments while reporting to the SVP Business Affairs English Scripted.

Key to communication flow production financing and deal flow this position acts as the hub between English Scripted Toronto Finance internal Business Affairs and Business Affairs of external partners to ensure the successful financing and completion of projects in development and production.

Responsibilities Include:

Leading English Scripted Development and Production departments in the coordination tracking and management of all business affairs elements to ensure clear flow of communication both internally and externally

Ensures proper information and communication flow on all business-related matters between English Scripted and internal departments

Acts as the day-to-day communicator with the business affairs departments of broadcasters financiers and other external stakeholders

Interpret guidelines rules and regulations etc. and advises English Scripted team on eligibility for external funding.

Tracks and manages external funding deliveries and invoicing coordinating with internal departments as needed

Manages and oversees submission of all external funding and tax credit applications on time and within the guidelines coordinating with internal departments as needed

Creates and maintains tracking systems for all Business Affairs related elements for English Scripted projects

Elevates and works to resolve business affairs related issues as needed with various internal departments

Tasks Include:

Development
Responsible for business affairs management in the following areas:

Acts as the hub between Development Business Affairs and Finance internally ensuring clear flow of communication and documentation between departments;

Tracks important dates and timelines including rights management external funding deadlines and delivery deadlines

Oversee all external financing applications including CMF and associated development financing agreements

Oversee project-specific drawdowns for financing and payments communicating between Development Finance BA and external parties as needed

Acts as the first point of contact with external business affairs departments

Responsible for business affairs management in the following areas:

Drafts negotiates and/or reviews business affairs documentation including:

Writers and Story Editor Agreements

talent & HOD agreements

Location and rental agreements

Credits Paid Ads & other obligations statements

Approval and restriction summaries for talent dubbing as well as advertising and promotional

Production agreements templates for use by production

Music agreements and paperwork

all WGC documentation required for production

Clearances Package for Production including Release Templates

Advise senior leadership team and executive producers on various business and legal issues related to content production rights clearances distribution and other issues as needed.

Manage business matters related to production distribution and co-production (both interprovincial and foreign)

Location & DPR Summary for closeout applications

Feed into license and distribution agreements

Liaise with external counsel as needed.

Manages and tracks required production business affairs documentation including:

Assist with bank closing documentation together with Finance and Production departments

Legal and Business Affairs delivery components to all financiers

Proof of Residency declarations and CAVCO IDs

Errors & Omissions insurance and Additional Insured certificates

Assist in ensuring compliance with Canadian content regulations (CAVCO CRTC) and international co-production treaties.

Manages the submission tracking and delivery of the following:

All external funding applications including CMF Bell Fund COGECO Ontario Creates NOHFC and others as applicable including overseeing the close out of such funding following delivery

Official Treaty Co-Production applications

Guild adherence and ongoing administration

Title Report/Opinion

US & Canadian Copyright Registration

ISAN Registration

CFM/AFM application and Letter of Adherence - plus delivery to broadcaster

CRTC applications

Tax credit applications

Copyright Reports

Qualifications:

8-10 years experience in a business affairs role with an established media production company

Strong oral and written skills

Exceptional organizational skills with the ability to work in a high paced environment

Ability to interpret and evaluate information to solve complex problems and drive decision making

Demonstrated understanding of Canadian rules and regulations in the industry

Entrepreneurial spirit

Solid understanding of artist collective agreements (e.g. WGC ACTRA WGA DGA etc.)