VP, Business & Legal Affairs

Company Overview:   Founded in 2022 by Peter Chernin, North Road Company is a global, multi-genre studio that produces scripted, documentary, and unscripted film and TV content for global markets. North Road comprises market-leading production entities, including Chernin Entertainment, Red Arrow Studios' U.S. assets (Kinetic Content, LeftRight, and 44 Blue Productions); Karga Seven, Perro Azul, Words + Pictures, a premium non-fiction business; and an international business devoted to strategic acquisitions and localized programming. Role Overview:  The Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Scripted TV will lead development and series-related agreements for North Road Studios' Television department. This role involves structuring and negotiating talent, rights, licensing, and co-production agreements at all stages of scripted development and production.  The VP will serve as the lead attorney for contracts and production legal on scripted pilots and series, including projects from third-party licensees. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in domestic and international rights agreements, including chain of title analysis, optionlicense drafting, risk assessment, and business strategy.  This role requires a minimum of 4 days in the Playa Vista, CA office.  Key Responsibilities:  Negotiate, structure, and execute agreements related to scripted projects in development and production, including talent, rights acquisitions, licensing, and co-productions. Oversee business affairs strategies for scripted pilots and series, ensuring agreements align with North Road Studios' financial, legal, and creative objectives. Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for writers, producers, directors, and on-screen talent, as well as agreements related to underlying rights, format acquisitions, and production partnerships. Advise internal stakeholders on business affairs matters, including deal structures, rights management, and intellectual property considerations, while ensuring compliance with legal and industry standards. Analyze and mitigate risks in contract negotiations, including reviewing chain of title, rights availability, and clearance issues to protect North Road Studios' interests. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including creative, production, finance, legal, and distribution, to drive deal execution and maximize value. Serve as the primary liaison with agents, attorneys, and external representatives to secure favorable terms for North Road Studios. Monitor industry trends, labor agreements, and regulatory changes to provide proactive guidance on the evolving scripted television landscape.   Qualifications & Experience: Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school and active bar membership in good standing. Minimum of 10 years of business affairs andor entertainment legal experience, with a strong background in scripted television projects. Extensive experience negotiating and drafting development, production, licensing, and co-production agreements for scripted projects in both domestic and international markets. Deep understanding of intellectual property law, chain of title, and rights management in the television and media landscape. Strong relationships with key industry players, including agents, managers, and legal representatives. Strong knowledge of industry guild and union agreements (e.g., WGA, SAG-AFTRA, DGA). Proven ability to assess risk and provide strategic legal and business counsel to senior leadership. Exceptional negotiation, drafting, and communication skills with a track record of closing high-stakes deals. Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining attention to detail and business priorities.  Key Characteristics:  Strategic & Detail-Oriented - You anticipate challenges, mitigate risks, and craft thoughtful solutions. Collaborative & Proactive - You build strong relationships and thrive in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. Clear & Confident Communicator - You articulate complex deal points with clarity and credibility, both internally and externally. Calm Under Pressure - You excel at managing high-stakes negotiations and tight timelines. Execution-Focused - You take ownership, move deals forward efficiently, and drive results.  At North Road, we carefully consider a wide range of factors to determine a fair and equitable compensation package. Pursuant to state and local pay disclosure guidelines, the base salary for this role is between $280,000 - $350,000 per year. The final offer amount will consider a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions, including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience relevant to the job.  

Created: 2025-02-22