Business Affairs and Legal Executive

Overview

Lawyer - Film and Television Production - Australia | USA

This role provides end-to-end business and legal affairs support, with a focus on unscripted programming - from program development and production activities to distribution in Australia, USA and internationally. The role advises senior executives and production heads and involves negotiating deal terms and managing the drafting and finalisation of agreements.

About the role

Build your career and join our team of 4 on a full-time basis. Reporting to our Head of Business Affairs and Legal, the duties and responsibilities include:

• Advising executives and production personnel on all transactional legal matters arising out of production activities (from development, production, post production, delivery, marketing, and broadcast)
• Negotiating and preparing rights acquisition and option agreements for concepts, formats, and pre-existing properties; providing guidance to production staff on these agreements; and preparing guidance notes on key areas such as working with children, data protection and editorial compliance
• Managing the negotiation and drafting of talent and contributor agreements, access and location agreements, producer agreements, option and literary purchase agreements, production services agreements, assignments, releases, rights agreements, co-finance agreements and other agreements in connection with development and production of content
• Providing legal advice on matters including intellectual property, music clearances and rights, insurance, property, and related matters; advising on compliance with the local Broadcasting Code and broadcaster policies
• Reviewing programs at the pre-publication stage to identify risk and address legal concerns including defamation, contempt, breach of copyright and breach of privacy
• Advising executives and production personnel on legal issues surrounding press coverage of productions/talent
• Assisting with the preparation of applications for development and production funding, tax credit estimates and calculations in consultation with the Head of Production and Director of Finance

Qualifications + Skills + Knowledge

• Admitted as a solicitor in one or more States in Australia, with 7+ years of legal experience in general commercial law and IP; ideally at least 2 years in the unscripted film and television production industry
• Good knowledge of child licensing, data protection and editorial compliance
• Superior written and verbal communications skills with the ability to communicate to people in a range of positions
• Ability to manage competing priorities and escalations
• Ability to resolve internal escalations
• Ability to provide commercially focused legal support
• Ability to work unsupervised, to tight deadlines and under pressure
• Excellent time management and organisational skills

Internal and External Contacts

Internal: Employees at all levels, including CEO, Executive Producers, Heads of Production, Director of Finance and Director of HR.

External: Regulatory authorities, talent, agents, external lawyers, customers and suppliers.

About Fremantle and Eureka Productions

Fremantle Media is a global TV and film company, one of the world's largest creators, producers and distributors of entertainment content. We operate in at least 26 territories and work with top talent to create, acquire, develop, finance, co-produce, sell and market new formats and finished programming. We are part of the Bertelsmann group.

Fremantle Australia has produced shows such as Heartbreak High (Netflix), Neighbours (Amazon), Rock Island Mysteries (Paramount Plus), Bay of Fires (ABC), Wellmania (Netflix), The PM's Daughter (ABC) and Totally Completely Fine (Stan).

Eureka Productions is a leading global production company focused on unscripted entertainment across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms. Established in 2016 with offices in Australia and Los Angeles, Eureka has developed formats and adaptations with global appeal.

Original formats include Holey Moley (ABC), Luxe Listings (Amazon Prime), Dating Around (Netflix), Stars on Mars (FOX), Full Bloom (HBO Max); upcoming Wonka's The Golden Ticket (Netflix) and KPOPPED (Apple TV+). Eureka has adapted and produced franchises including Grand Designs, The Mole, Farmer Wants a Wife, The Amazing Race Australia, Australian Idol, and more.

How to apply

If this role sounds like you, please click on the apply button and follow the prompts. We will get in touch if you are shortlisted for this opportunity. For inquiries, you may send your resume with a covering letter to or reach out to Lynette Jones for a confidential chat ).

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