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Director, Business Affairs

Kansas City, MO

We are looking for a strong leader for our Business Affairs team.  The ideal candidate must be well versed in SAG-AFTRA Commercials contracts, third party rights for creative assets and relentless about making great creative work.  You are a partner to producers while working across agency departments including Creative, Client Experience, PR, Legal, and Finance.   

This position reports into SVP, Business Affairs 

Responsibilities: 

  • Serve as a core member of the Production Team, regularly available to Producers, including outside of standard business hours should your projects needs require. 
  • Maintain deep expertise in the 2025 SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract, including union waivers (e.g., Low Budget Digital, Social Media/YouTube, Influencer, Testimonial, Man-on-the-Street, etc). 
  • Demonstrate a strong understanding of the evolving use of AI in production workflows, including implications for talent, licensing, intellectual property, and union compliance. 
  • Work collaboratively as a partner to Producers, PR, and Client Experience teams to review creative work for legal implications (e.g., third party clearances, intellectual property, licensing, likeness releases, use of logos/artwork, trademarks, etc.) and traffic/network implications (e.g., supers, substantiation, etc.) 
  • Generate talent estimates (sessions and usage) and provide guidance on most cost-effective ways of managing talent residual budgets.  Proficiency with Extreme Reach is required. 
  • Own the responsibility of drafting client facing production estimates, production contracts, casting specs, releases, affidavits, music rights agreements and all other necessary documents in concert with agency legal counsel 
  • Lead celebrity and popular music license negotiations when required with agency legal counsel 
  • Prepare performer contracts/releases and review all executed contracts & licenses for accuracy. 
  • Manage all talent and production billing including production advances and other scheduled payments. 
  • Partner with producers to secure stock footage and image rights as demanded by the work and usage requirements. 
  • Prepare and submit spot session reports, completion reports, and use advices via the ER platform. 
  • Mange holding fees and expirations via the ER platform. 
  • Manage all renegotiations including talent, music, and photography. 
  • Ability to lead and oversee Business Affairs / Talent Manger(s) and their brands. 
  • Proactively work in educating other departments on the aspects of the SAG Commercial contract, licensing, talent, and intellectual property regarding all aspects of our work. 
  • Lead transfer of rights for onboarding and offboarding of clients. 
  • Research and monitor industry trends to advise the agency on current developments and long-term shifts in Business Affairs.   
  • Film Tax Credit knowledge and filing experience a plus 
  • Maintain strong industry relationships with peers at other agencies, music, and production partners. 

Qualifications: 

  • A minimum of 7 years of experience specific to the advertising industry in a Business Affairs Role.  
  • Must have proficient and current knowledge of SAG-AFTRA commercial contracts 
  • Ability to lead and help grow a team of Business Affairs Managers 
  • Self-starter who can work independently in a fast-paced environment while also a team player who can collaborate in that same environment. 
  • Strong attention to detail, high degree of accuracy and work well under pressure 
  • Strong negotiation and contract management skills 
  • Willingness to speak up, lead tough conversations, and be solutions-oriented 
  • Having a law background is not required but is a considerable plus! 

BarkleyOKRP’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging

  • At BarkleyOKRP, DEI+B drives work that matters. We believe people and creativity are made of the same substance, and when every perspective is valued, the impact is stronger. We build belonging as a business strategy, power inclusive creativity that delivers measurable results, and hold ourselves accountable as a B Corp committed to progress over performative intent. When people are valued, the work carries greater impact.

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