Job Posting Title: Lead Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs Req ID: 10098932 Job Description: The Lead Counsel Business & Legal Affairs will be part of the Regional and UK Business & Legal Affairs team that supports the development, commissioning and production of a significant volume of scripted/non-scripted live action and animated content for Disney. The occupier of this new role will contribute progressive business affairs and media legal expertise, commercial awareness and a forward-looking perspective to structure production, co-production and commissioning agreements to the maximum benefit of Disney’s Businesses. The Lead Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs will work closely with the VPs of Programming and Development and the Finance and Production Management teams, the Lead Counsel, Business & Legal Affairs will foster a relationship-building and supportive team culture. The role will contribute to Legal best practice and consistency in SVOD/television production initiatives throughout EMEA, including co-ordination with the team of local advisers based in territory. This role will also liaise closely with Disney’s teams in the US to ensure consistency of approach in delivering proactive Legal support. Areas of Responsibility Proactive Business & Legal Affairs advisor working as part of the UK team supporting the Production/Development teams in negotiations of development projects, productions and coproductions commissioned across the region. Advise on appropriate deal terms/rights structures to be secured. Monitor and advise on developments in European and UK law and regulation. Demonstrate strong awareness of deal-making terms, market expectations and commercial direction in the US and EMEA. Work closely with overseas counsel, providing instructions and taking advice across a range of European projects. Advise on current industry terms and market conditions for the engagement of production companies, writers, directors, talent and crew. Working with senior stakeholders in the International Production Business to develop negotiating strategies and deal structures, optimizing potential rights structures. This involves: 1. Developing a solid understanding of the Business’s expectations and negotiating position through effective research and utilization of industry Legal expertise. 2. Uses progressive Legal knowledge to structure production agreements. 3. Completes significant volume of Agreements within agreed timescales to achieve customer service targets. Partner with Creative and Production Executives on projects, both in negotiating and greenlighting development and production projects. Negotiate development, talent and production deals, sign-off commercial/business terms and coordinate information flow and exchange with internal adjacent departments such as Creative, Finance, Production Management, Marketing etc. Advise on finance structures and tax credits, including review and approval on behalf of Disney of finance plans and third-party finance arrangements. Coordinate cost allocation reviews with Finance, Production Management and production executives. Interpret and provide solutions on contract drafts, and sync with Production Management, Creative Affairs and Finance. Work closely with Production Management to ensure that Company policies and standards are met. Consult with Acquisitions within and outside EMEA to facilitate needs with contracts and approval issues. Prepare and approve templates for production company’s engagements including talent, literary options, location, post-production and other production agreements. Supervise production clearance processes including script reviews, set visits and artwork clearance. Close a high volume of deals within short timelines successfully. Manage timely delivery of all underlying paperwork, including communication with the production partners. Build and maintain relationships with multiple functions in the business, understanding their roles and interdependencies Marketing, Research, Legal, Finance, Programming etc. Fosters a continuous improvement culture, ensuring consistency of processes, policies and procedures in order to protect the Business from risk. Strengthens internal and external relationships to benefit the Business. Ideal Experience Seasoned executive and lawyer with extensive experience in television production deal making at senior level with a focus on original scripted and unscripted productions, gained within a media-focused practice at a top-tier law firm or in-house legal team. Significant and progressive UK industry experience, preferably both private practice and inhouse, of scripted/non-scripted SVOD/television programme development, commissioning and production. Thorough understanding of the pre-production, production, and post-production process Strong knowledge of the current commercial deal-making market, including terms of trade, streamer vs PSB etc. Good understanding of European regulatory environment including content and investment quota obligations, in particular for SVOD services with multi market European experience. Detailed knowledge of Guild/Union/CMO agreements in the UK. Working knowledge of CMO agreements in the main European markets would be beneficial. Demonstrable knowledge of relevant law and regulatory issues eg relating to copyright and tax incentives. Contract, Commercial and Intellectual Property Law experience. Qualifications LLB or Degree/LPC or equivalent Qualified as UK solicitor or barrister or common law equivalent professional legal qualification This role will require you to be on-site in Hammersmith 4 days a week. The Walt Disney Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to be a diverse workforce that is representative of our audiences, and where all can thrive and belong. Disney is committed to forming a team that includes and respects a variety of voices, identities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Job Posting Segment: Global Public Policy & Privacy Job Posting Primary Business: EMEA Legal Primary Job Posting Category: Attorney Employment Type: Full time Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code: London, United Kingdom Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code: Date Posted: 2024-10-17