Business Affairs Manager

Job Description

Job summary
Wondery, an Amazon company, is a premium podcast studio known for character-driven, binge-worthy stories including Dr. Death, The Shrink Next Door, Even the Rich and Business Wars, and distribution of hit partner shows SmartLess, My Favorite Murder, and How I Built This. Wondery is behind seven of the ''Top 10 New Shows of 2021'', according to Podtrac, including #1 (The Apology Line) and #2 (Suspect). Forty shows from Wondery have hit #1 on Apple Podcasts including Harsh Reality and Operator. Many Wondery shows have been adapted for scripted television or streaming series, including Dr. Death on Peacock, The Shrink Next Door on Apple TV+, the upcoming WeCrashed on Apple TV+ and Joe vs Carole on Peacock. Wondery has gained critical acclaim and commercial success for its immersive approach to sonic, emotionally driven storytelling, which helps listeners to ''Feel the Story.'' The Wondery app offers a unique, personalized podcast listening experience with over 15,000 episodes, including access to its premium ad-free offering Wondery+. With Wondery+, fans experience early access, exclusive episodes, and ad-free listening.

WONDERY is looking for a Business Affairs Manager to join the rapidly growing team in Los Angeles. This role will be responsible for supporting Global Overall Licensing and Distribution team which includes Business Affairs. A successful candidate will work collaboratively with colleagues at Wondery including Content, Legal, Marketing and Finance, and across Amazon, effectively managing a varied, high-volume workload efficiently and smoothly within corporate parameters, and remaining cool and level-headed in pressurized situations. This person will have strong relationship-management skills, and be able to act as the face of the company with our external partners. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to work with premium creators and companies to grow an established podcast network.

Key job responsibilities
This is an individual contributor role, reporting to the Head of Global Overall Licensing and Distribution Team. There are currently 13 people on the Global Overall Licensing and Distribution Team including 2 people in Business Affairs, and the team is rapidly expanding.
• Providing administrative support to the Global Original Licensing and Distribution Team.
• Assist in representing Wondery's business interests on a variety of podcast development and production deals including talent, production services and rights.
• Managing deal trackers, status updates and form updates.
• Using good judgment to optimize processes to liaise with cross-functional teams including Content, Marketing, Legal, and Finance.
• Effectively managing relationships with external producers, agents and creative partners.
• Executing on the goals for the Global Original Licensing and Distribution Team and Wondery as a whole.

A day in the life
Reporting to the Head of Global Overall Licensing and Distribution Team, who is also the Head of Business Affairs, this role will support initiating, structuring, negotiating and closing talent and production services deals for Wondery, both in the US and in key international territories. In supporting all aspects of our deal-making process, principal duties include drafting, tracking and updating status of talent deals including for hosts, reporters, producers, writers as well as production service deals. A working knowledge of podcast industry deal-making and intellectual property rights (as applicable to the podcast industry) is preferred, along with excellent communication (written and verbal), organization and interpersonal skills.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
• 4+ years experience working for a production company, studio, or television network
• 4+ years experience in negotiating deals in entertainment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 3+ years of relevant work experience in a production company, studio, network and/or entertainment law firm.
• Business judgment and skills as well as critical thinking, analytical, drafting, and problem-solving skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills, as well as attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to work proactively, independently, and reliably in an organized fashion in a fast-paced in-house environment with the ability to multitask and prioritize work projects.
• Demonstrated ability to execute, follow-through and be accountable for work projects.
• Paralegal experience (preferably in a production company, studio, network and/or entertainment law firm)
• An understanding of audio apps and podcast business models, and an ability to operate effectively within the podcast ecosystem.

Amazon is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please visit https://www.amazon.jobs/en/disability/us.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-d8247m-3-17-154-171-42 in your application.