Legal and Business Affairs Manager

Legal & Rights Management

Fixed Term - Full Time

Location: London based role with some flexibility - i.e. hybrid working

Job Title: In-house title is Commercial, Rights and Business Affairs Manager

Salary: anticipated salary up to £68,000p,a, (this is inclusive of London Weighting £5,164), depending on relevant skills, knowledge and experience.

Job Closing Date: 23/02/2025

We are looking for a Commercial Rights and Business Affairs Manager to join the BBC Commercial, Rights and Business Affairs (CRBA) in the Digital, Consumer Tech and Innovation legal and business affairs team. This is a maternity cover role (12 months) based in London.

Commercial Rights and Business Affairs manages and connects the BBC's intellectual property, strategic and business interests through expert negotiation, contracting and commercial deal-making. The Digital, Consumer Tech and Innovation legal and business affairs team provides support for BBC's audience-facing digital products such as BBC iPlayer, Sounds, BBC News app, and others.

As Commercial Rights and Business Affairs Manager, you will:

1. Provide pro-active legal and business affairs support to various teams on strategic projects, partnerships, and innovation initiatives.
2. Advise internal stakeholders on key issues and risks in contracts and projects.
3. Draft and negotiate a variety of agreements including licensing BBC content.
4. Shape and develop legal commercial strategy to protect intellectual property.
5. Work alongside other internal teams as necessary.
6. Support initiatives to improve and develop streamlined contracting processes.

We are looking for a junior to mid-level lawyer who has a passion for technology and innovation. A legal qualification is essential (NQ-6 PQE+), as is proven experience of commercial deal making, digital and tech procurement, and licensing of intellectual property in a media/broadcasting environment.

In addition to the Job Description, the following skills, knowledge, qualification and experience are essential:

1. Broad understanding of intellectual property rights including copyright in content.
2. Understanding of digital and tech procurements with strong negotiating skills.
3. Familiarity with the BBC's digital output.
4. Fluency with relevant industry practices and legislation.
5. Collaborative, flexible, and positive attitude.

In addition to the Job Description, the following are desirable:

1. Willingness to roll up your sleeves and think creatively.
2. Strong negotiating skills.
3. Familiarity with open source licensing.
4. Transactional experience involving AI/machine learning.
5. Experience of rights clearance and copyright licensing for digital and consumer tech.

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance.