Senior Talent Manager

Who We Are:

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse. 

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences.  Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end-to-end solutions that result in revolutionary work. 

Who we are looking for: 

VML is seeking a dynamic, forward thinking Senior Talent Manager who is responsible for all financial and legal aspects of talent management for all TV, radio and integrated productions. The Senior Talent Manager serves as an expert and main point of contact for all talent matters including talent estimates, negotiations, residuals, music rights and SAG/AFTRA/AFM and other union rules/regulations.

What you’ll do:  

•  Estimate talent session and talent reuse/residual costs, holding fees; communicate regular updates and reporting to business affairs manager and account services team
• Determine accurate classification of all talent fees (i.e., industrial versus commercial, internet versus TV, allowable lifts, principal versus background, etc.) including upgrading/downgrading as necessary
• Prepare completion reports, reviews talent invoices/billings and resolve union claims
• Build and maintain relationships with talent agents, effectively negotiating costs and terms including overscale agreements that serve the best interests of common ground and our clients
• Work with media/traffic to obtain flight schedules and unit counts in order to estimate talent residual payments and ensure holding fees are authorized and paid on time; ensure that “maximum use periods” are known and anticipated
• Work with account services team and traffic companies to help coordinate spot trafficking
• Maintain records of all aired content including year of production, expiration dates, periods of first fixed cycles, holding fees and use
• Create and track all talent/music renewal estimates and usage extensions
• Experience with offshore talent agreements and negotiations

Legal and contracts:

• Remain up to date on SAG rules and regulations and other relevant talent/artist unions and associations (i.e., AFTRA, AFM)
• Work directly with SAG to negotiate and process requested exceptions and waivers
• Handle SAG, AFM and AFTRA claims and disputes by working directly with the union and handles all talent audits
• Strong working knowledge and experience reviewing contracts, deal memos and other legal documents
• Experience in negotiating and draftingoverscale celebrity agreements while working closely with legal

Process and project management:

• Proactively work to streamline talent processes, educate others and advance the overall functioning of the Talent Management discipline

Who you are: 

• Big-Picture Thinker | A visionary with the ability and appetite to bring people together. Innate ability to marshal teams and create gravity around ideas. 
• Agile | A jack of all trades equipped with a malleable, crafty scope of ability. A get-things-done attitude. An unparalleled drive of initiative. Strong knowledge of digital technology, social landscape and current trends. 
• Forecaster | Able to tackle deadlines and special projects with ease. Detail oriented individual highly attuned to organizational best practices. Operates and drives strong continuous improvement. 
• A Problem Solver | Crafts carefully detailed written and oral communication to achieve results. Strong time management skills and multi-tasking ability. Willing to do whatever it takes to unblock teams and ensure success.  
• Ego-less | We all wear the hats that need wearing, it’s a mentality that makes the team successful.

What you’ll need:  

• Minimum 7 years of experience in Business Affairs and Talent Services working at an Advertising Agency
• Excellent verbal, written and communication skills  
• Strong interpersonal communication skills as a team leader and team player
• A skilled creative, confident presenter and demonstrated strong negotiator
• Demonstrated budget and scheduling management skills