Director of Rights & Clearance

Role Overview

• Leads the strategic direction and day-to-day operation of the international Rights & Clearances team which operates across time zones
• Works closely with the VP Legal advising on all budget matters relating to the department including team travel and compensation
• Works closely with Business Affairs Department to lead the review process including tracking all third-party production deliverables for CNN Original Series and CNN Films
• Supervises the work of other Rights & Clearances members and manages the relationship between the team and the Business Affairs Department
• Serves as the sole point person for the CNN Tribute Award Show and manages all negotiations for talent presenter and performer agreements and any third-party materials included in the program
• Analyzes all relevant information, summarizes terms and restrictions for use in all programming and distribution and drafts guidance memos for all editorial staff
• Acquires third party content (video, photos, audio, etc.) for all CNN networks and platforms worldwide
• Negotiates, reviews, and drafts related license agreements and other content agreements
• Identifies potential copyright and other rights issues in third party agreements and releases
• Provides advice and analysis of rights and terms of use of licensed third-party material to all CNN editorial staff worldwide
• Oversees the management of an annual recurring events calendar to timely usage guidance
• Ensures Rights & Clearances team is aware of and follows guidance from CNN media attorneys on how to approach fair use risk assessment and analysis for various types of third party content
• At the direction of CNN media attorneys, assesses risk and records approvals of fair use requests on a day-to-day basis
• Negotiates and drafts gratis license agreements for organizations approved by PR and senior management
• Co-leads internal database to administer, track and file acquired rights, fair used material, license agreements and invoices
• Maintains and updates the internal site on a daily basis for all licensed third party material in order to inform all CNN platforms of permissible uses, rights and restrictions
• Controls and tracks information regarding copyright claims and settlements
• Produces quarterly reports for the Legal team
• Files, tracks and codes all license agreements and invoices and coordinates payment with CNN accounting/TPAS

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university
• Minimum 10 years management experience in a similar position/function, including experience managing international team members
• Ability to draft, research, interpret and understand all documents mentioned above
• Must have strong organizational and project management skills and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in a deadline-oriented environment
• Must have an eagerness to readily accept new responsibilities and challenges while learning new skills and improving them from feedback
• Sound analytical skills as well as strong decision-making and problem-solving aptitude
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to present information professionally, succinctly, and persuasively
• Must be superior at building and maintaining strong internal and external relationships with people at all levels of an organization
• Must have strong industry knowledge and familiarity with television and digital platforms and programming
• Ability to handle confidential information and material appropriately
• Possesses ability to inspire team members to achieve their own professional goals while supporting the goals of the team and the organization
• Must be willing to be available to be on call on the weekends and company holidays on a rotating basis with other Rights and Clearances managers in order to accommodate the 24/7 news cycle.

Benefits

• health insurance coverage
• an employee wellness program
• life and disability insurance
• a retirement savings plan
• paid holidays and sick time and vacation