Business Affairs Manager

• Creative Production
• Full-time
• Mid-level
• Dallas TX

LERMA/ is seeking an experienced Business Affairs/Talent Manager to support production business affairs across broadcast, digital/social, and print work. This role reports to the Director of Business Affairs and supports the Business Affairs function across broadcast, digital/social, and print production. At LERMA/, we build brands through impactful creative and production work across channels. As a Business Affairs Manager, you’ll play an integral role in advertising production by ensuring compliance with industry and labor requirements and safeguarding the interests of our clients and the agency. You’ll work under the Director of Business Affairs and alongside a small Business Affairs team, partnering with internal teams, clients, and external partners to negotiate contracts and resolve issues. You will manage business affairs for assigned projects from kickoff through delivery and throughout the life of the work. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in union and non-union talent contracting, clearances, and licensing related to advertising production. You thrive in a fast-paced creative environment, understand end-to-end production workflows, and partner effectively with internal teams, clients, and external vendors.

Key Responsibilities

• Stay abreast of SAG-AFTRA regulations and guidelines, ensuring that all Union advertising campaigns adhere to union rules regarding talent, compensation, and working conditions.
• Consult with, and advise clients and internal teams on union/ non-union rules, labor regulations, and best practices, and be available for questions, concerns, follow-ups, etc.
• Work with 3rd Party Signatory to handle any union claims, audits, or reporting requests.
• Collaborate closely with creative, account, and production teams to ensure alignment of objectives and seamless project execution, exceeding client expectations.
• Identify opportunities to improve workflow and operational efficiency, and share recommendations with the Director of Business Affairs.
• Partner with the Director of Business Affairs to advise internal teams and, when appropriate, client stakeholders on business affairs considerations.
• Manage business affairs responsibilities for assigned productions day-to-day, including but not limited to:
  • Talent estimating and contracting (Union and Non-Union) for commercial productions, including preparation of SAG contracts and non-union talent agreements.
  • Review creative for any clearances or licensing as necessary.
  • Handle third-party clearances and licensing, including stock footage, music, props, etc.
  • Work closely with outside legal counsel in resolving potential production liabilities and working through solutions.
  • Prepare formal estimates with breakdowns and pertinent information in collaboration with assigned agency producer.
  • Issue purchase orders, facilitate invoice approvals, payment and job actualization.
  • Create production start-up documents, including production agreements, insurance coverage, and talent mandatories. Negotiate production agreements when necessary.
  • Work closely with account teams to resolve production liability issues and develop viable solutions and production frameworks.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ideal candidate will have 5 years’ experience in Advertising Business Affairs with strong focus on Union (SAG-AFTRA, AFM, etc.) regulations, and experience supporting or leading business affairs workstreams on complex productions.
• Strong knowledge of Non-Union Production processes, including talent casting, contract negotiation, and Post Production.
• Strong knowledge of copyright, trademark, and licensing in entertainment and/or advertising law.
• Extensive knowledge of SAG-AFTRA and AFM commercials contracts and processes.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder-management skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and clients.
• Exceptional organizational and time-management skills, strong attention to detail, and solid analytical/problem-solving ability.
• Strong decision-making skills based on tactical collaboration and collective team input.
• Self-motivated and confident in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt to a variety of personalities and work situations.
• A passion for helping teams create their very best work in the smartest way possible.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Paid company holidays and vacation earned per year
• Paid sick leave
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life/ADD, and short-/long-term insurance
• 401k and annual profit-sharing retirement plans

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as needed. Pay commensurate with experience.