A Business Affairs Manager at Saatchi & Saatchi Seattle is knowledgeable in talent and SAG matters, licensing, negotiations, and rights clearance. The BAM has the responsibility to ensure that the financial and legal aspects of productions they manage are compliant with both the agency’s and client's guidelines and processes. Day-to-day involves working alongside and supporting Agency Producers, reviewing creative for rights clearance in partnership with in-house counsel, estimating Union talent session + residuals, negotiating and licensing music, creating agency estimates and purchase orders, and maintaining jobs through final billing. The BAM reports to the Director of Integrated Business Affairs and will partner with the Executive Producer to develop and ensure processes are followed with regards to licensing, talent and estimate management. The BAM works closely with the account team and producers to advise and keep abreast of changes in productions and licensing. We are looking for a team player that is detail-oriented and a self-starter.

• Work alongside agency producers for timely bidding of projects and compliance with client’s guidelines, including approval of costs by external consultants, if required by clients.
• Review creative to advise on talent, copyright, and intellectual property risks, alongside agency legal counsel.
• Manage all finances related to production - review final production bids with agency producers, generate agency estimates and manage vendor invoices, payments, and payment inquiries.
• Prepare vendor agreements, consulting with agency counsel. Generate award documents, upon client approval of estimates, including production contracts, insurance declaration, talent agreements, and purchase orders.
• Work with Producers on talent matters: talent session costs, issuing contracts, and processing session reports.
• Negotiate licensing and clearance of intellectual property rights, including images, music, fonts, artwork, and others.
• Negotiate and/or oversee overscale talent deals and agreements.
• Prepare casting use specs and talent residuals estimates, per information from Media and Client Services teams.
• Remain updated on all SAGAFTRA & AFM guidelines, and advise clients and agency teams on union rules, regulations, and best practices.
• Process talent use payments per talent reports using the external payroll service.
• Manage and evaluate claims, audits, and requests for information received from the unions.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation of all projects in digital job jackets, using the agency’s preferred cloud storage system.
• Maintain and reconcile estimates, monitoring for overages, and flagging them to the agency’s Client Services team.
• Regularly report on jobs’ status to Accounting, Production, and Client Services departments for billing, reconciliation, and closing of jobs.
• Maintain trackers for talent cycles, music, and other rights expirations, to share with Client Services and for consultation by other Business Managers.

2-4 years of Business Affairs experience at an Advertising Agency

1+ years of experience working with union talent

Strong focus on timelines and attention to detail

Strong understanding of intellectual property rights

Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision

Exceptional written communication skills

Proficient in Excel and Word and a willingness to learn new applications

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

Ability to prioritize correctly and work well under pressure

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.