The principal responsibilities of this position involve preparing, drafting, negotiating and tracking domestic merchandise license agreements and amendments, and maintaining templates and status reports therefor.
While responsibilities will primarily involve merchandise license agreements and amendments relating to the vault of Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, Vh1, Spike TV, CMT and BET active licenses, the candidate should be prepared to draft the following types of legal documents: breach and termination letters, consent to transfer/assignment documents, trademark release letters and sublicense agreements.
Tracking of agreements will involve data entry and use of multiple databases and computer programs, as well legal file management.
Fulfillment of responsibilities will involve researching past contracts and coordinating revisions and changes to active agreements among Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Operations, internal business client groups and outside companies, agents and their attorneys.
Candidate will be required to attend client group meetings in order to keep abreast of client group priorities as well as maintain awareness of licensing trends both internally and externally.
In connection therewith, Candidate may be asked to attend relevant industry seminars and licensing events.
Since the position and the department support all MTV Network channels in the range of children to adult, Candidate must be comfortable with supporting licensing of children and adult brands.
Candidate must be prepared to perform multiple tasks with shifting of priorities on short notice.
The position will report to the Vice President of Global Contract Management, MTVN/Nickelodeon, and decision making authority will be based on level of experience and direction from supervisor.
The position may also be directed to report to Director level members of the team or supervising attorneys on an as needed basis.
Knowledge of standard legal terminology is required, with familiarity with trademark licensing or the character licensing industry preferred.
Excellent time management skills are required, as daily work load will fluctuate based on client groups’ agendas, company financial goals, economical factors and retail markets.
Candidate should be adept in Microsoft Office software applications, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
Candidate should be willing to learn additional computer processing programs and information management systems.
Candidate must be comfortable with extensive verbal, written and in-person communication/interaction with people of all levels.
Candidate should be capable and comfortable with creating original correspondence in the form of cover letters, memos, e-mails to internal and external clients, and concise status reports, and should be an independent and creative thinker, capable of suggesting solutions to business issues which may arise.
Position interacts with all levels, from assistants to Senior Vice Presidents of the Supervisors client groups at MTV Networks, as well as the Rights & Clearances, Digital, Operations, and Finance departments.
With respect to the Consumer Products ancillary businesses, MTV Networks includes Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, MTV, Vh1, Spike TV CMT and BET. In addition, this position will interact with all levels of Business and Legal Affairs, including Attorneys from other channels and sub groups (e.
g., Trademark, Litigation and Bankruptcy) and other Contract Managers.
This interaction is necessary in the processing of all agreements, such as gathering information, drafting, follow-up, and execution.The position must initiate and maintain contact with licensees, agents, attorneys and various MTVN staff.
These contacts will involve telephone calls, faxes and e-mails to effectuate the processing of all agreements, including gathering information, drafting, follow-up and execution.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree is mandatory and Paralegal certificate is strongly preferred (this is not an attorney position).
Candidate should possess 2+ years Paralegal experience, preferably in a law firm involved in intellectual property licensing or in service to entertainment/media clients.
Prior experience with drafting trademark licenses or correspondence related thereto preferred.
Familiarity with character licensing would be helpful.
Manager/Director – Contract Management – Business & Legal Affairs Job in New York, New York US