Business & Legal Affairs Lawyer – Scripted Series

Business & Legal Affairs Lawyer – Scripted Series
Location: London – Hybrid
Contract: 6 months – Parental Leave Cover
Pay Rate: £500 per day PAYE

The Opportunity

An internationally recognised entertainment and streaming company is seeking an experienced Business & Legal Affairs Lawyer to join its London-based scripted series team.

This is a senior, hands-on position supporting scripted series commissioned and produced in the UK. You will provide commercially focused legal guidance throughout the complete lifecycle of a production, working closely with production companies, creative talent, internal legal specialists and cross-functional business teams.

The successful candidate will combine strong legal drafting and negotiation skills with excellent commercial judgement and a detailed understanding of the UK television production landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and support a broad range of business and legal affairs matters across the lifecycle of scripted television series
• Negotiate and draft development and commissioning agreements with third-party production companies
• Negotiate and draft talent agreements covering writers, directors, producers and cast
• Draft, negotiate and review underlying rights and rights-acquisition agreements
• Review chain of title documentation and advise on any resulting commercial or legal issues
• Work closely with production teams to ensure legal documentation meets internal requirements
• Provide practical advice on legal and commercial queries arising throughout production
• Build effective working relationships with third-party production companies
• Seek, assess and coordinate specialist advice from internal legal teams
• Counsel business partners and support decisions carrying both legal and commercial implications
• Liaise with legal, production and wider cross-functional teams to maintain alignment and an efficient flow of information

Skills and Experience

• At least eight years’ relevant experience gained within a media law firm, film or television production company, broadcaster or streaming business
• Ideally qualified to practise English law
• Strong knowledge of the UK television production landscape, established industry practices and relevant union agreements
• An understanding of the differences between UK and US guild arrangements
• Demonstrable experience leading commercial negotiations and drafting complex production-related contracts
• Experience across some or all of the following areas:
  • Rights acquisition
  • Development and commissioning
  • Writer, director, producer and cast agreements
  • Production partnerships
  • Broadcaster or platform agreements
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical ability, commercial awareness and sound judgement
• Confidence advising senior business partners on matters with both legal and commercial consequences
• Ability to operate independently, proactively and reliably within tight deadlines
• Comfortable working in a fast-moving and constantly evolving environment
• Collaborative, practical and solutions-focused approach
• Intellectual curiosity, resilience and a willingness to work beyond established areas of expertise
• A genuine commitment to inclusion and equitable working practices

What You’ll Bring You will be an experienced media and entertainment lawyer who understands how scripted television projects move from development through commissioning and production. You will be comfortable taking ownership of complex negotiations, balancing creative and commercial priorities, and providing clear, pragmatic advice in a high-performing international environment.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to high-profile UK scripted content within one of the world’s most innovative entertainment businesses.