Manager, Business Affairs

• DC#26-39799
  $43
• 48 per hour
  Burbank, CA
  Onsite
  Job Description
  Our client, a Mass Media and Entertainment company, is looking for a Manager, Business Affairs
• DC for their Burbank, CA/Hybrid location.

Responsibilities:

• This position is responsible for analyzing and negotiating deal terms with publishing partners (such as talent, content, distribution, licensing and production) and media rights with studio partners. This role provides analysis & recommendations on deal terms to ensure alignment with business objectives and financial results. This position also supports the administration of DC's talent rewards programs.
• Support deal negotiations to execute industry-leading deal strategies by leveraging market insights and setting innovative terms that attract top creative talent and strengthen strategic relationships with licensing & distribution partners while negotiating and structuring agreements in collaboration with legal, finance, and DC leadership. (35%)
• Conduct strategic deal analysis and structuring for publishing and media rights agreements, ensuring alignment with business objectives and setting clear goals and performance benchmarks to drive financial and strategic results. (25%)
• Support administration of talent rewards program components, including recommendation of character equity grants and talent bonuses. (25%)
• Identify and implement process improvements across Business Affairs operations, such as talent rewards administration and approval workflows, while executing core responsibilities to enhance efficiency and strategic impact. (10%)
• Provide guidance and support to junior team members, contributing to a culture of strategic thinking, collaboration, and professional growth. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key projects:

The team supports DC's publishing and entertainment business by negotiating and analyzing agreements with creative talent and business partners, administering creator rewards programs, and driving strategic initiatives that strengthen relationships with key contributors while supporting the success of DC's intellectual properties and publishing portfolio.

Focused on supporting DC's publishing and business affairs initiatives through deal analysis, negotiations, talent compensation programs, and operational improvements.

Managing and supporting DC's talent rewards initiatives, including character equity grants, creator incentives, and talent bonus programs.

Ensuring contributors are appropriately recognized and rewarded for their creative work.

Streamlining Business Affairs operations, approval workflows, and talent payment processes.

Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce administrative friction across the organization

Working closely with legal, finance, publishing, and creative stakeholders to structure agreements and support strategic initiatives.

Requirements:

• At least five (5) years of relevant work experience required.
• At least three (3) years working in a business affairs environment required.
• Relevant media/entertainment, comics/publishing industry, and/or digital product experience preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience required.
• Values relevant experience over a degree
• Microsoft (Word, Excel, PP, Outlook)
• Will be using Excel more than anything
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and business partners.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully (both verbally and in writing) with individuals and groups at all levels of the organization, as well as with external stakeholders (such as vendors).
• Must have the ability to demonstrate strategic thinking, exercise sound judgment, and navigate ambiguity in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have the ability to organize, manage multiple tasks and project elements simultaneously, and work well under time constraints to meet deadlines.
• Must have the ability to pay close attention to details and handle/maintain confidential material with discretion.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office software (such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Adobe Acrobat required.
• Proficiency using Monday.com strongly preferred. Familiarity with other project management and collaboration tools (e.g., Asana, Smartsheet, Jira, Miro) and data visualization platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) preferred.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years of relevant experience, including at least 3 years in a Business Affairs environment, with a strong background in deal negotiation, contract structuring, and business analysis within the entertainment, publishing, licensing, or media industries. They should be comfortable evaluating deal terms, partnering with legal and finance teams, and making strategic recommendations that support business objectives.

Candidates with experience negotiating talent, publishing, licensing, or media rights agreements are highly preferred, particularly those who understand how to balance commercial goals with relationship management across creative and business stakeholders. Strong analytical skills, contract negotiation experience, and advanced Excel proficiency are critical for success in the role. A passion for superheroes and comics is a plus.

Business Affairs & Contract Negotiation

• Experience negotiating and structuring publishing, talent, licensing, and media rights agreements.
  Deal Analysis & Financial Acumen
• Ability to analyze deal terms, assess business impact, and make strategic recommendations.
  Entertainment, Publishing, or Licensing Experience
• Knowledge of media rights, creative talent agreements, intellectual property, and the publishing/comics industry.

Passion for superheroes and comics

Disqualifiers:

Primarily legally focused background with little to no experience in business affairs, deal analysis, or commercial negotiations

• Candidates who have spent most of their careers practicing law, drafting legal contracts, or providing legal counsel may not align with the business-oriented nature of the role.
  Expectation to serve as legal counsel or provide legal opinions
• This role negotiates and structures agreements but ultimately partners with Legal for final contract language and legal review. Candidates seeking a traditional attorney or legal counsel position may not be a fit.
  Inability to balance business objectives with creative partnerships
• This role requires working with talent, publishing partners, licensing partners, and internal stakeholders to reach mutually beneficial outcomes, rather than solely identifying legal risks.
  Lack of experience making business recommendations based on deal analysis
• Candidates who cannot demonstrate experience evaluating deal terms, financial implications, incentives, royalties, or partnership structures may not be prepared for the strategic aspects of the position.

How will this candidate know they are succeeding in their role?:

Success in this role will be measured by the candidate's ability to quickly become a trusted business partner who can independently manage active deals, provide thoughtful deal analysis, and take ownership of ongoing projects with minimal oversight. The ideal candidate will effectively reduce the day-to-day workload of the Director by assuming responsibility for negotiations, talent rewards initiatives, agreement administration, and strategic projects that are already in progress, allowing leadership to focus on higher-level priorities.

Team culture/work environment:

The team fosters a collaborative, supportive, and professional culture centered around partnership, knowledge sharing, and collective success. Team members work closely together to support deal activity and talent reward programs, creating an environment where individuals can learn from one another, leverage shared expertise, and contribute to common goals.

The work environment is highly team-oriented and relationship-driven, with an emphasis on open communication, collaboration, and mutual support. Employees are encouraged to engage with colleagues across the team, seek guidance when needed, and contribute ideas in a respectful and professional setting. The team values accountability, continuous learning, and a positive approach to problem-solving while maintaining a strong commitment to delivering high-quality results.