Sr. Director, TV Business Affairs (Scripted)

Responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and interpret a wide range of scripted television agreements, including: Writer, producer, director, and showrunner agreements Test deals and options Series, pilot, episodic, and development agreements Talent agreements and underlying rights option/purchase agreements Co-production, financing, and deficit arrangements
• Advise internal stakeholders on deal structure, compensation models, back-end participation, and guild compliance.
• Exercise independent judgment while escalating material or high-risk issues as appropriate.
• Work on current productions with higher level BA leadership through prep, principal photography, and post, addressing deal-related and contractual issues as they arise.
• Serve as the primary business affairs contact for assigned scripted television projects from early development through production and delivery.
• Partner closely with Creative executives on development strategies, test scenarios, and talent engagement models.
• Review and advise on scripts, outlines, and other development materials for contractual, legal, and rights implications.
• Advises on rights, clearances, chain-of-title, and restrictions in connection with domestic and international exploitation.
• Support distribution, licensing, and ancillary arrangements across linear, SVOD, AVOD, and emerging platforms.
• Interpret and advise on existing agreements in response to internal inquiries and downstream distribution needs.
• Cross-functional collaboration & advisory: Act as a trusted business affairs advisor to Creative, Production, Finance, Legal, and Distribution teams.
• Provide clear, pragmatic guidance that balances creative goals, legal risk, schedule, and budget considerations.
• Monitor and stay current on industry trends, guild agreements (WGA, DGA, SAG-AFTRA), and evolving scripted television business models.

Qualifications and Skills

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) required; membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California preferred).
• 6–10 years of experience in television business affairs or entertainment law, with a focus on scripted television, at a studio, network, production company, or major law firm.
• Direct experience negotiating test deals, test options, and scripted development agreements.
• Strong working knowledge of guild agreements and scripted television deal structures.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and issue-spotting skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative, flexible, and solutions-oriented with the confidence to operate independently.