Job Description

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Salary

Competitive
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Hours

40
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Type

Permanent - Full Time
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Closing Date

06-02-2026 at 17:00
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Location

5th Floor

65 Chandos Place

London

WC2N 4HG
+ No Files

JOB TITLE:

Rights Manager

COMPANY:

Sonia Friedman Productions Ltd (SFP)

MAIN PURPOSE

The Rights Manager is responsible for delivering comprehensive rights management and legal support services across all Sonia Friedman Productions Ltd development projects and productions, both in the UK and internationally.


The role ensures that all intellectual property, underlying rights, contractual arrangements, and licensing structures are secured, negotiated, and administered in a manner that protects SFP's creative interests while maximising commercial opportunity and long-term value.

REPORTING STRUCTURE

This position reports directly to the

Executive Director

of Sonia Friedman Productions Ltd and works closely with senior producers, development executives, production teams, finance, and external legal and commercial partners.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Rights Acquisition & Management

Negotiate, secure, and prepare rights agreements for plays, musicals, adaptations, translations, commissions, and all underlying intellectual property, ensuring the best possible commercial and creative outcomes for SFP. Advise on rights availability, exclusivity, territorial restrictions, options, renewals, and reversions. Manage and monitor rights timelines, terminations, extensions, and expiries across SFP's slate of productions.

Contract Drafting & Negotiation

Draft, review, and negotiate agreements with writers, composers, lyricists, directors, and rights holders. Develop, maintain, and update template agreements and precedents, and draft ad-hoc commercial contracts as required.

Legal & Commercial Advisory

Provide legal counsel and practical commercial advice on matters of contract law and intellectual property as required for the ongoing operation of SFP's productions. Identify legal and commercial risks and propose solutions that align with SFP's producing strategy. Work with external solicitors and advisors where specialist or jurisdiction-specific advice is required.

Industry & Regulatory Awareness

Keep abreast of current union agreements, trade agreements, guild requirements, and statutory legislation that may impact SFP's producing activity, both domestically and internationally. Advise internal stakeholders on compliance with union rules, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory obligations.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration

Interface and coordinate closely with development, production, finance, and senior management teams to ensure rights and contractual matters are fully aligned with production schedules, budgets, and commercial strategies. Support project planning by providing early-stage rights and legal input during development and pre-production phases.

Administration & Record-Keeping

Maintain accurate, detailed records of rights agreements, contracts, and related documentation. Ensure confidentiality, compliance, and best practice in the management of sensitive and commercially confidential information.

REQUIREMENTS

Essential

A proven track record in Rights Management, Business Affairs, and/or Legal Affairs within the theatre industry. Qualified as a lawyer, with strong practical experience in drafting and negotiating commercial agreements. Excellent drafting, negotiation, and organisational skills, with a high level of attention to detail. Strong numeracy skills and the ability to understand and analyse complex financial and royalty structures. Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships, both internally and externally. Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, managing multiple projects, and competing priorities simultaneously.

Confidentiality

This role involves access to highly confidential and commercially sensitive information. Absolute discretion and a commitment to confidentiality are essential at all times.





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Closing Date

06-02-2026 at 17:00