Legal & Business Affairs

About Black Bear
Black Bear Pictures develops, produces, and finances premium content across film and television. We strive to create original and compelling entertainment that is best-in-breed in its genre.
Black Bear International (BBI) is a global sales division with direct distribution in the UK and Ireland overseeing the international sales and distribution rights of filmmaker-centric and star-driven projects which combine creative integrity with a commercial sensibility. We represent a select number of premiere titles in the marketplace, releasing up to fifteen films per year in the $10M to $80M budget range. Our partners are the top and most reliable distributors throughout the world. BBI provides a full-service, in-house sales operation including licensing, rights management, Legal & Business Affairs, marketing and publicity, servicing, collections and reporting.
The Role
BBI is recruiting this role to be based in the central London office reporting to the General Counsel. Working as part of the in-house Black Bear International Legal team, the Legal and Business Affairs Exec will provide administrative, drafting, contract management, and rights tracking support to the General Counsel (US based) and VP (London based) to support the international legal workflow. The role will also be responsible for collaborating with the US based Contracts Administrator to maintain the new rights management system (Molten) on a timely, accurate and complete basis.
The role requires a collaborative team member with strong communication skills and attention to detail working in fast-paced and varied work environment with agility and flexibility. You will be extremely well-organised, able to effectively multi-task, prioritize, and show initiative with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.
Key Responsibilities
Legal and Business Affairs Support
Draft distribution agreements and related documentation for International Sales and UK including negotiations with distributors and financiers as appropriate Draft Notice of Assignments and related production lender documents in connection with financial closings on acquisitions and in-house productions Respond on a timely basis to all related questions, both internal and external Fully utilise the Molten rights management system to drive workflow and contract tracking Responsible for other miscellaneous legal tasks including, but not limited to: Chain of Title Intermediary Agreements and Exhibits Non-Disclosure Agreements and Embargo Agreements for marketing and delivery Consultant Agreements Contract Administration
Track and monitor international deal flow including deal confirmations and distribution agreements File and save all distribution documents and drafts in the legal filing system Manage international delivery requirements/schedules including: Drafting required delivery documents when needed Request insurance certificates with the requirements of different distributors and production lenders Coordinate execution and circulation of distribution related documents to relevant signatories Enter all title data into Molten and generate project specific reports for Management Desired Skills
Strong understanding of international film distribution landscape Experience drafting and negotiating distribution agreements for film sales Expertise across issues of ownership, windowing, rights management Exceptional systems/database and organization skills with keen attention to detail Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written Able to prioritise workload and apply initiative to solve problems Flexible and adaptable; able to work in fast-paced growth environment 3+ years post-qualification experience