SVP, Business and Legal Affairs

About SPT Nonfiction

Industrial Media is the feature documentary, premium content, and unscripted unit within Sony Pictures Television (SPT). Through ownership interests in or with production companies Sharp Entertainment, The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC), B17 Entertainment, 19 Entertainment, This Machine Filmworks, Brass Monkeys Media, UnConventional and Maxine, the group creates and produces content in every form of programming for audiences worldwide. Key programs include the global hit “American Idol” and “So You Can Think You Can Dance”, each co-produced by 19 Entertainment for ABC and Fox, respectively, Sharp Entertainment’s “90 Day Fiancé” franchise for TLC; IPC’s Emmy®-winning hit documentary series “ “With Love, Megan” for Netflix and “Selena+Chef” for HBO Max; B17 Entertainment’s “Extraction” for Fox; and “Quiet On The Set” and “Fall of Diddy” for ID/HBO Max. Additionally, 19 Recordings has launched the music careers of Platinum artists, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Daughtry, Phillip Phillips, Lauren Alaina; and more recently, “American Idol” winner Jamal Roberts, along with prior contestants such as Iam Tongi, Chayce Beckham and Colin Stough.

THE ROLE

The SVP of Business and Legal Affairs will work out of our Van Nuys office. The SVP’s primary role will be operating as a reliable and strong “#2” to the current EVP | Head of Business Affairs and Legal, providing business and legal services and advice across various division and pods, with respect to a variety of unscripted programming including without limitation, documentary series and features, reality and competition shows.  In addition, the SVP of Business and Legal Affairs will be involved in various employment, corporate, M&A and litigation matters, and will oversee outside counsel providing services for these matters and for various divisions and/or pods.

RESPONSIBILITIES TO INCLUDE:

• Construct, negotiate, document, and manage development and production deals for unscripted programming, including without limitation, documentary series and features, reality and competition shows for all television and new media licensees/platforms.  
• Handle development through production business and legal affairs on projects and manage the day-to-day issues related thereto, including negotiating deals for talent, directors, executive producers, etc.  
• Negotiate and oversee drafting of overall deals, first look agreements, rights agreements (books, articles, podcasts, etc.).    
• Negotiate license and co-production agreements, production services agreements, financier agreements, distribution and acquisition agreements.   
• Interface on a day-to-day basis with various internal groups (creative, production, finance, etc.) and production personnel as needed.
• Advise on any legal related matters (including guild/union issues) arising through the course of development and production.
• Analyze, review, and interpret contracts; provide thoughtful and practical legal advice on potential risks and issues.
• Manage, supervise and train more junior personnel in the department
• Strategize with and counsel executives, producers, and other senior program personnel on all BLA matters, including production, employment and M&A matters.
• Effectively negotiate and interact with agents, managers, outside attorneys, and legal and business affairs executives at other production companies and platforms.
• Interface on a day-to-day basis with various internal groups (creative, production, finance, etc.) and production personnel as needed
• Analyze, review, and interpret contracts; provide thoughtful legal advice on potential risks and issues.
• Participate in M&A negotiations and activities.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates must have a JD, admitted to practice in California (or be qualified to become a California registered in-house counsel), and substantial experience (approx. 15+ years) working in a television business affairs department, legal affairs department and/or entertainment law firm.
• Extensive experience in negotiating and drafting all manner of contracts for development and production deals for television.
• Strong legal acumen with the ability to demonstrate sound judgment.
• Familiarity with employment, insurance and litigation matters, production clearance issues, entertainment guild rules & regulations, corporate and copyright and trademark matters.  Familiarity with M&A issues a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Collaborative style with proven record of building strong relationships, both internally and externally at all levels.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to respond to matters in a quick yet accurate manner.
• Willingness to take on matters outside of normal duties.
• Experience in managing personnel.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

SPE will consider qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with applicable law.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at [email protected].