Contract Distribution Representative Jobs in California

Who We Are

SAG-AFTRA is the iconic American labor union that represents approximately 160,000 media professionals. SAG-AFTRA employees support our members and thrive on securing the strongest protections by negotiating the best wages, working conditions, health and pension benefits. We preserve and expand members’ work opportunities, vigorously enforce our contracts and protect our members against unauthorized use of their work. 

What You’ll Do

The Business Representative is responsible for tracking and overseeing the completion of projects for purposes of ensuring all required documents have been delivered to the union. In addition, this role will administer and coordinate the execution and implementation of SAG-AFTRA Financial Assurances agreements as well as other post-production documents in connection with entertainment contracts projects. The Business Representative will act as both an interdepartmental liaison and liaison between performers and their representatives, distributors, and producers; as well as assist and consult with other Business Representatives regarding claims and the process of evaluating and obtaining financial assurances for theatrical, television, new media, and other projects where SAG-AFTRA deems necessary.

(This section provides a general summary of the most significant job duties performed. It does not explain in detail every single duty performed.)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Interpret and enforce contracts.
Ensure receipt of production documents and distribute to appropriate departments as necessary.
Obtain and analyze copyright, lien, and business entity, and motion picture/television/new media searches as requested by Businessor by Entertainment Contract Department Managers (“ECDM”) in connection with projects involving financial assurances.
Review and analyze chain-of-title documentation in connection with projects.
Identify all secured parties and the priority order of their secured interest in relevant projects, along with preparing appropriate interparty agreements, intercreditor agreements, and all other financial assurances documents. 
Prepare detailed reports including, but not limited to, (1) documenting the the receipt
of production documents and any documents requested by the union in order to
determine the release of the security deposit, (2) documenting results of all
research conducted involving copyrights, liens, business entities, and
chain-of-title, (3) recommending follow-up and appropriate standard financial
assurances documentation required; and (4) obtaining these documents.

Assist Business Representatives in preparing modified template standard financial assurances documents to adequately represent research results. This may include any documents contained in the financial assurances templates directory available to Business Representatives.
Consult with Legal Department/Financial Assurances (“Legal/FA”) counsel regarding financial assurances issues, documentation, or advice recommended beyond the scope of standard template documents as appropriate. Once consulted with by Legal/FA counsel or the Entertainment Contracts department managers, as appropriate, the Business Representative may prepare customized financial assurances documentation.
Inform ECDM (and appropriate Legal/FA) regarding noted shifts and developments in entertainment industry financing and production practice, corporate structures, and corporate practice which may affect the SAG-AFTRA’s financial assurances efforts and goals.
Research and investigate claims through to resolution
Assist legal department with arbitration process when required.

Perform other duties as assigned or as the situation dictates 

What You’ll Need

We want to make sure you’re successful. To be considered, you must have:

(The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.)

Excellent verbal and written communication skills in order to effectively articulate
complex contract issues and compose original correspondence and reports.
Negotiating skills - able to negotiate with diplomacy.
Must have comprehensive mathematical knowledge and abilities.
Must be customer service oriented and have the ability to interact well with
members, performers, studio management and staff with discretion and
diplomacy.
Independent problem solving and analytical skills.
Must be proficient in Microsoft office products (Word, Excel, and Outlook) and
Google Suite.

Superlative interpersonal skills: a high degree of patience and tact. Must be able
to cultivate respectful, strategic and collaborative relationships with people from
diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally.
Hold yourself and others accountable for a high level of performance and
integrity.
Have an understanding and awareness of worker rights impacting SAG-AFTRA
members.
Detail oriented.
Ability to work well under pressure and prioritize tasks with multiple deadlines.
Capable of taking direction from more than one supervisor.
Must be able to work in a very challenging environment where constructive
feedback from others is encouraged.
Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined
at SAG-AFTRA’s sole discretion
Must be available and willing to work extended hours (and/or overtime for
applicable non- exempt positions) per day or per week, including weekends, as
SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary to meet its business needs.
Must be available and willing to travel to such locations and with such frequency
as SAG-AFTRA determines is necessary or desirable to meet its business
needs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and/or Experience:

Undergraduate degree, or a combination of 5 to 7 years of education and
experience.

Writing Sample
Experience in a labor relations or entertainment environment preferred.
Legal knowledge/experience strongly preferred due to the complexity of
chain-of-title and financial assurances issues.
Juris Doctor degree a strong plus.
Background in contract interpretation and enforcement a plus

What You’ll Get

We are a great place to work because we offer:

• The annual salary for this position is $72,500 along with our employee benefits and perks. 
• Colleagues that are passionate about what we do and how they contribute to our mission
• Balance between work and home life responsibilities
• Affordable and comprehensive medical and dental plans
• Generous pension plan
• Employee discounts and perks

Notice to Applicants:

• It is SAG-AFTRA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, union status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. 
• SAG-AFTRA will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, or arrest or conviction records, in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements.
• To be eligible for employment with SAG-AFTRA, applicants must have current authorization to work for any employer within the U.S. We cannot offer sponsorship for an employment visa or assume responsibility for an existing one at this time.
• Employees are required to work in the state/location indicated on the job posting and relocation assistance is not provided. SAG-AFTRA operates on a 35-hour workweek schedule.
• As part of the selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview.
• A voluntary hybrid work schedule may be authorized for some positions. This schedule requires a minimum of two to four days per week of in-office attendance.  SAG-AFTRA reserves the right to change in-office requirements at any time based on business needs.
• If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to recruiters@sagaftra.org.