Senior Production Business Manager

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Who we are looking for:

VML is seeking a dynamic, forward thinking, Senior Production Business Manager to support the VML Creative Production team. Someone who is an expert in Business Affairs, has a strong understanding of Talent (SAG & non-union) and licensing/clearance, is impeccably organized and provides the highest level of customer service to our internal and external clients.

What you'll do:

Empower for Success | Collaborate with Creative and Production teams to ensure the viability of creative concepts prior to client presentations or execution.Work with Producers to estimate costs, monitor overages and provide actuals upon job completion.Work with internal Finance from pre-bill through project completion. Provide Producers and Client teams with accurate estimates for talent session fees, usage, and all other talent and music related costs of production.

Process | Create and issue appropriate job award documents, including production contracts, production insurance, talent contracts/agreements and session/completion reports.Review and assess content, scripts, rough cuts and final creative for risk or clearance concerns.

Own | Review AICP, AICE, animation and music bids with the Producer.Review final production estimate and caveats with Producer prior to submitting to Client for review and signature. Setup new vendors in the system. Create Client facing Estimates, issue vendor Purchase Orders and Process vendor invoices.

Reconcile and Audit | Review creative materials and advise Agency teams on talent, licensing, copyright and intellectual property issues and/or legal concerns. Manage intellectual property rights and clearance acquisitions.Review vendor agreements to ensure compliance with Client SOWs, MSAs, and industry standards. Consult legal counsel when necessary. Conduct Trademark searches for proposed branding, taglines, signage, design etc.Work with Agency legal counsel on issues including contracts, updating releases, contract templates, risk assessment and indemnifications.Advise agency teams and Clients on SAG/Union & Non-Union rules, regulations, and best practices. For Non-Union productions, issue talent agreements and foreign talent contracts.

Who you are:

Big-Picture Thinker | A visionary with the ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal teams and create gravity around ideas.

Agile | A jack of all trades equipped with a malleable, crafty scope of ability. A get-things-done attitude. An unparalleled drive of initiative. Strong knowledge of digital technology, social landscape and current trends.

Forecaster | Able to tackle deadlines and special projects with ease. Detail oriented individual highly attuned to organizational best practices. Operates and drives strong continuous improvement.

A Problem Solver | Crafts carefully detailed written and oral communication to achieve results. Strong time management skills and multi-tasking ability. Willing to do whatever it takes to unblock teams and ensure success.

What you'll need:

Minimum 5 years of experience in Business Affairs and/or