Senior Talent Manager
About WPP Production - the unified global production company that brings together all of WPP's content producers, studios and craft experts into one connected organisation. We combine world-class human craft with next generation technology to originate, design, and deliver multi-channel content systems at scale. Built for borderless collaboration and powered by deep craft expertise, we are the production engine designed for today's always on, AI driven marketing world.
About WPP - WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com.
A Hybrid working model - We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.
About the role
This role is responsible for talent estimates, contracts, payments, union compliance, and completion reporting for commercial and digital campaigns. The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract experience handling residuals and session fees, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced agency environment. The ideal candidate is proactive, solutions-oriented, and confident working with talent agents, performers, and internal stakeholders. They bring both precision and diplomacy to talent-related work and are comfortable balancing compliance, negotiation, and day-to-day production support.
Responsibilities
- Manage all aspects of talent payments for assigned clients and campaigns
- Prepare and reconcile talent estimates for session fees, residuals, holding fees and renewals
- Negotiate talent compensation and ensure timely execution of talent contracts
- Collaborate with producers, account teams, and Business Affairs Managers to support productions from pre-production through completion
- Maintain expert knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and all waivers, as well as non-union talent workflows
- Administer talent residuals, renewals, reinstatements, and completion reports
- Track talent usage, expiration dates, holding fee cycles and reuse cycles
- Coordinate licensing of music, stock footage, and other third-party content as needed
- Process and review vendor invoices in partnership with accounting and finance teams
- Resolve talent-related issues, claims, and payment discrepancies
- Maintain accurate project files and documentation for all talent activity
- Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, talent agents, and performers
- Assist with workflow improvements and provide guidance to junior team members when applicable
Requirements
- Manage all aspects of talent payments for assigned clients and campaigns
- Prepare and reconcile talent estimates for session fees, residuals, holding fees and renewals
- Negotiate talent compensation and ensure timely execution of talent contracts
- Collaborate with producers, account teams, and Business Affairs Managers to support productions from pre-production through completion
- Maintain expert knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and all waivers, as well as non-union talent workflows
- Administer talent residuals, renewals, reinstatements, and completion reports
- Track talent usage, expiration dates, holding fee cycles and reuse cycles
- Coordinate licensing of music, stock footage, and other third-party content as needed
- Process and review vendor invoices in partnership with accounting and finance teams
- Resolve talent-related issues, claims, and payment discrepancies
- Maintain accurate project files and documentation for all talent activity
- Communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams, talent agents, and performers
- Assist with workflow improvements and provide guidance to junior team members when applicable
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in talent payments, business affairs, production coordination, or a related agency role
- Strong working knowledge of SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract and related talent payment procedures
- Experience managing residuals, estimates, contracts, and completion reporting
- Experience with national and global commercial campaigns
- Knowledge of music and stock footage licensing
- Experience with invoice processing and budget tracking
- Familiar with advertising agency workflows and broadcast/digital asset trafficking
- Ability to interpret union and non-union talent requirements
- Excellent organizational skills and high attention to detail
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and comfort working with financial or production systems
- Experience partnering cross-functionally with producers, account teams, and finance
Pay
The base salary for this position at the time