Contracts Associate, Penguin Publishing Group Adult (Hybrid)

We are currently seeking a Contracts Associate to join our PPG Adult subrights contracts team. The Contracts Department represents an unrivaled roster of award-winning and celebrated titles across an editorial breadth that includes fiction and non-fiction books from PPG Adult imprints including Viking, Tarcher, Avery, Plume, and F+W, among others. The division partners closely with foreign subagents, subsidiary rights sales, and publishing entities to finalize the licensing of rights.  

 

The Contracts Associate is an integral part of the drafting, negotiating, and signing process of contracts and provides the opportunity to take part in making beloved franchises and new favorites available in many different media around the world.  The applicant will support the Contracts Manager while liaising with subsidiary rights sales, royalty accounting, and the various contracts teams.  

 

Specific responsibilities include:   

• Draft, review and negotiate contracts, contract amendments, and contract terminations for foreign and domestic rights 

• Learn to read and understand author contracts and how their terms and limitations apply to subsidiary rights contracts 

• Collaborate closely with the subsidiary rights sales team for PPG Adult to ensure contracts are accurate and encompass all deal terms 

• Communicate frequently with publishers and foreign subagents to solve and negotiate contract conflicts and issues 

• Maintain and update contract records in PRH’s Rights Management System. Use the Rights Management System to prepare and review contract status reports and other reporting as needed 

• Performing various administrative tasks including managing, routing, scanning and following up on contracts. Manage contracts inquiries from other departments such as Author Contracts, Royalties and Subsidiary Rights 

• Liaise with Royalty Accounting to ensure data for payments or changes to payment due dates are accurate  

• Coordinate with team and internal resources to optimize efficiency of processes and workflow 

• Support additional project work as needed 

 

Please apply if you meet the following qualifications:   

• A minimum of one year of relevant professional experience in contracts, licensing, subrights sales, or a related field 

• A self-starter with impeccable attention to detail  

• A highly organized candidate who possesses a proactive and independent approach to work, including a strong ability to problem solve autonomously while also consulting with colleagues to ensure uniform processes  

• Able to apply organizational methods and strategies to meet deadlines and manage a busy inbox on Outlook 

• Timely follow-up skills with the subsidiary rights team, foreign and domestic publishing partners and other departments and able to prioritize and complete multiple projects in a rapidly changing, detail-focused environment 

• A curious mind that enjoys research projects, with the ability to view things with both a focus on the minor details as well as the big picture  

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to proofread 

• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite and an avid interest and ability to learn new applications 

• A history or interest in legal, sales, communications, literature, or a related publishing field is a plus 

 

The Penguin Random House national headquarters is located in New York City. This is a hybrid position, requiring approximately 1 day per week at our 1745 Broadway location.

 

The salary for this position is $56,000. All positions are currently eligible for annual profit award or bonus, subject to Company results.       

 

Applications for this role will be accepted through April 20 or until the role is filled. We encourage you to apply early, as we review applications on a rolling basis. Please include your resume and cover letter for consideration. Before applying for any role at Penguin Random House, we recommend you review our applicant resources page and our FAQs page. 

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