Senior Business Affairs Manager

Looking for something fresh? Day One Agency is hiring. Day One is a creative agency committed to bringing fresh thinking to our work. Every. Single. Day. For us, every day is day one, a new opportunity to start from the beginning, find a new angle, and let our creativity and curiosity lead us to earn the unexpected. We’ve built a reputation as a creative partner tuned for navigating culture today; helping brands build legacy through relevance. We’re looking to expand our team with a new Senior Business Affairs Manager to support our integrated teams and client work. You’ll become part of an award winning collective of cultural insiders, all of whom are storytellers at heart and are curious about what is next in the industry. Below you’ll find some specifics about the role. At Day One, the job description is truly just the start. Our best team members are enthusiasts who opt-in and bring something to the party. Ready to join a team that's been on Fast Company's Most Innovative list for three years running, made the Ad-Age A-List and been named Agency to Watch 2025, and took home Campaign AOY in 2025 and PR Week Midsize AOY 4 years in row (2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026)? Keep reading. This position is full-time, requires a hybrid work schedule, and is only available in Los Angeles. Responsibilities Review, negotiate, and manage contracts across talent (including celebrity and influencer), production, music, and vendor agreements for domestic and global campaigns Review and edit client Statements of Work (SOWs) to ensure accuracy across deliverables, staffing plans, production management, creative scope, and legal considerations Ensure all vendor and production agreements align with client SOWs, Master Service Agreements (MSAs), and agency standards Provide accurate estimates for talent and music fees, including session fees, usage, residuals, licensing, and related production costs Negotiate terms and conditions with production and music vendors (union and non-union), ensuring favorable and compliant agreements Vet creative concepts for trademark, copyright, and intellectual property conflicts and clearances Review creative materials and advise internal teams on talent rights, copyright, and IP risk considerations Ensure compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards across advertising, production, and digital marketing Stay current on legal developments, including technology and IP trends impacting advertising and content production Serve as a key liaison between clients, internal teams, vendors, and talent to ensure clarity, alignment, and risk mitigation Collaborate with producers and creatives to proactively solve contractual and production-related challenges Vet and onboard new vendors, evaluating potential partnerships from both business and legal perspectives Lead and manage projects independently from contract development through execution and final delivery Mentor and guide team members on Business Affairs processes, standards, and best practices Collaborate with finance to facilitate capturing COIs for all external freelancers. Qualifications Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with strong organizational abilities Proven expertise in contract administration and negotiation within an agency, production, or media environment Strong understanding of intellectual property, talent rights, and evolving technology law as it relates to advertising and digital marketing Confident self-starter with the ability to independently manage complex projects end-to-end Comfortable advising cross-functional teams and serving as a trusted partner to producers, creatives, and leadership Required Skills/Background: 10+ years of experience in an agency or production environment Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities Knowledge of contracts, legal principles, and industry standards Experience in managing budgets and financial performance Experience in the relevant industry (e.g., entertainment, advertising, etc.) Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or equivalent professional experience Compensation + Benefits We value all of our employees and are happy to provide comprehensive benefits to help support them holistically in the best way we can. We offer all our employees: • Health Care (Medical, Dental, Vision) • Paid Time Off and Company Paid Holidays • Summer Fridays • 401K Retirement Plan with Company Match • Lifestyle Spending Account • Paid Parental Leave • Commuter Benefits • New Business Referral Bonus • Employee Referral Bonus The Company is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The base compensation range for this role is $120,000 -$140,000 and this position is eligible for benefits that include medical insurance (health, dental, and vision), retirement plan, paid time off, paid parental leave, new business and employee referral bonuses, etc. Please note that the compensation information provided is a good faith estimate for Los Angeles based hires only and is provided pursuant to the applicable law. Final compensation for this role will be determined by various factors such as candidates' relevant work experience, skills, qualifications, and location.