Legal & Business Affairs, Group Lead / long-term contract

We are a hybrid work environment, x 3 days week onsite.  Local candidates only.

Our idea candidate has:  8+ years’ experience as a Business Affairs professional in advertising or commercial production AND 5+ years’ experience in an advertising agency environment.

Business Affairs at IUS is a modern practice committed to forging strategic relationships that facilitate creative and financial goals, while protecting the interests of IUS and its clients. This role will work hand in hand with both the Director of Legal & BA and the Brand Management team. They will help lead the L&BA team and work to elevate the Legal & Business Affairs practice, while fostering a culture of positivity and learning.

The right candidate will be able to ensure strategic cohesiveness and brand-fit across campaigns including influencers and celebrities, often interacting directly with the client. As a master of all things Legal & Business Affairs, they will foster a focus on strategic and proactive work while overseeing all aspects of the team’s work. The right candidate will be solution oriented and a champion for “Yes, and here’s how”. This role is tied to specific pieces of client business but also provides general oversight and continuity across all lines of business.

THE GROUP BRAND LEAD IS THE LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS MASTER FOR IUS CLIENTS

• Accountable for the output of the L&BA team from a creative, legal, and financial perspective
• Subject matter expert in SAG-AFTRA talent; ad law and federal compliance; industry best practices; and IP licensing.
• Ensure strategic cohesiveness across a brand’s influencer/content creator partnerships.
• Form and maintain close relationships with day-to-day brand, creative, production counterparts.
• Proactively work with Director to curate partnership opportunities within and beyond current briefs.
• Work with Director to manage resources for clients.
• Prioritize, multitask, focus, and achieve results while working under demanding situations.
• Work with producer, brand team, and internal counsel to flag legal risk with creative (treatments, scripts, rough cuts).
• Proactively bring strategic opportunities to Director, production, and brand teams.

THE GROUP BRAND LEAD HAS THEIR EAR TO THE GROUND AND BRINGS IDEAS TO DIRECTOR FOR WAYS TO EDUCATE & INSPIRE THE TEAM

• Mentor the L&BA team to ensure they are constantly challenged and growing.
• Provide ongoing training sessions for both L&BA team members and partners within various departments.
• Work with Director to write & deliver direct reports’ growth plans and do frequent 1:1’s throughout the year.
• Maintain a watchful eye on morale, workloads, and vibe to address issues, and elevate concerns to Director.
• Proactively engage with Director to constantly modernize processes and provide world class services to the agency and its clients.

THE GROUP BRAND LEAD FOSTERS A CULTURE OF POSITIVITY AND LEARNING

• Keep the tone and pace for others to follow.
• Maintain a focus on professionalism when staff may have emotional reactions to work situations.
• Instill IUS’s vision for L&BA including production across brand and creative teammates.
• Foster a culture of learning by bringing strategic approaches to legal roadblocks.
• Be a champion for “Yes, and here’s how.”

THE GROUP BRAND LEAD ELEVATES THE LEGAL & BUSINESS AFFAIRS PRACTICE

• Foster a focus on strategic, cohesive, and proactive work.
• Maintain a strong knowledge of financial process and compliance requirements.
• Contribute to the development of ideas with a unique point of view and passion for the work.
• Elevate partnership opportunities early and often.
• Model a tight process with strict attention to detail.
• Bring a sense of calm.
• Serve as the hub for multiple productions, overseeing all aspects of the teams’ work.
• Be directly accountable for every decision made on a project.