Independent Contractor Scripted Development Jobs in California

Job Title: Sr. Director, TV Business Affairs (Scripted)

Department: Business and Legal Affairs

Location: Santa Monica, CA, US, 90404

Summary of Position

Lionsgate Television is seeking a Sr. Director, Television Business Affairs to support the development, production, financing, and exploitation of scripted television programming for a leading independent television studio. Reporting to senior business affairs leadership, this role serves as a key legal and commercial partner to Creative, Production, Finance, and Distribution teams, with primary responsibility for negotiating and drafting agreements across the full lifecycle of scripted television projects—from development through distribution.

The ideal candidate will bring strong negotiation skills, sound legal judgment, and the ability to manage complex deal flows independently in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment.

Responsibilities

Deal Negotiation & Structuring

• Negotiate, draft, and interpret a wide range of scripted television agreements, including:
• Writer, producer, director, and showrunner agreements

Test deals and options

• Series, pilot, episodic, and development agreements
• Talent agreements and underlying rights option/purchase agreements
• Co‑production, financing, and deficit arrangements
• Advise internal stakeholders on deal structure, compensation models, back‑end participation, and guild compliance.
• Exercise independent judgment while escalating material or high‑risk issues as appropriate.

Development & Production Support

• Work on current productions with higher level BA leadership through prep, principal photography, and post, addressing deal‑related and contractual issues as they arise.
• Serve as the primary business affairs contact for assigned scripted television projects from early development through production and delivery.
• Partner closely with Creative executives on development strategies, test scenarios, and talent engagement models.
• Review and advise on scripts, outlines, and other development materials for contractual, legal, and rights implications.

Rights Management & Distribution

• Advise on rights, clearances, chain‑of‑title, and restrictions in connection with domestic and international exploitation.
• Support distribution, licensing, and ancillary arrangements across linear, SVOD, AVOD, and emerging platforms.
• Interpret and advise on existing agreements in response to internal inquiries and downstream distribution needs.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Advisory

• Act as a trusted business affairs advisor to Creative, Production, Finance, Legal, and Distribution teams.
• Provide clear, pragmatic guidance that balances creative goals, legal risk, schedule, and budget considerations.
• Monitor and stay current on industry trends, guild agreements (WGA, DGA, SAG‑AFTRA), and evolving scripted television business models.

Qualifications and Skills

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) required; membership in at least one U.S. state bar (California preferred).
• 6–10 years of experience in television business affairs or entertainment law, with a focus on scripted television, at a studio, network, production company, or major law firm.
• Direct experience negotiating test deals, test options, and scripted development agreements.
• Strong working knowledge of guild agreements and scripted television deal structures.
• Excellent drafting, negotiation, and issue‑spotting skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with strong attention to detail.
• Collaborative, flexible, and solutions‑oriented with the confidence to operate independently.

Additional Requirements

This position requires five (5) days per week in office.

Compensation

$160,000 - $190,000

Benefits

• Full Coverage – Medical, Vision, and Dental
• Work/Life Balance – generous sick days, vacation days, holidays, and Impact Day
• 401(k) company matching

EEO Statement

Lionsgate is an equal employment opportunity employer. All employees and applicants are evaluated on the basis of their qualifications, consistent with applicable state and federal laws. In addition, Lionsgate will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Lionsgate will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and federal law.