The Jim Henson Company has remained an established leader in family entertainment for over 60 years and is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and digital animation.
Best known as creators of the world-famous Muppets, Henson has received over 50 Emmy Awards and nine Grammy Awards.
We are currently seeking a Vice President or a Director of Global Distribution.
This role will be based out of our Hollywood office and reports to the President & COO.
Title will be commensurate with experience.
POSITION SUMMARY
The primary function for this position is to oversee sales of the Company’s library and current television, feature film and short-form content in North America, Western Europe, Asia-Pacific, (and supervising agents in other territories) to media platforms including television, digital (SVOD, AVOD/FVOD, EST/TVOD, FAST, home entertainment (DVD), and theatrical).
The individual in this role will shepherd distribution sales through the internal approvals process and oversee contract negotiation and execution, in addition to managing processes for fulfilling, honoring and enforcing contractual obligations.
This role works closely with the Business and Legal Affairs, Technical Operations, Finance and Consumer Products divisions.
We have returned to the office and work onsite 5 days a week.
We do provide flexibility so that this position can blend onsite working with remote days.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
·Regularly interface with buyers of media rights via phone, email, in person, (including business travel) and at industry conventions (Kidscreen, MIP TV, MIPJR/MIPCOM, and others) to further the Company’s sales efforts
·Work with Business Affairs to receive or generate formal agreements, further negotiate business points and ensure that the agreement is executed by the third-party company.
·Serve as the client’s liaison post-deal to ensure that delivery of materials, marketing support, dubbing, approvals and other client requests are met with excellent care.
·Coordinate related services from inter-Company divisions.
·Keep abreast of expiring terms and options/renewals of all existing contracts.
·Learn the Company’s sales and availabilities database (MediaRights) to access rights availabilities and to generate Sales Orders for approval by Company management.
·Review and discuss with management sales reports prepared by revenue-generating clients.
·Prepare yearly financial forecasts of sales and update no less than quarterly.
·Prepare financial forecasts for new productions or acquisitions.
·Prepare and update management on sales activities and prospects on a regular basis.
·Confirm with Tech Ops and Archival department regarding the availability of masters prior to concluding deal negotiations.
·Work with Tech Ops to ensure that clients receive the proper video, audio, text, music cue sheets, dubbing information and other materials.
·Confirm with clients dub exploitation rights, the cost to JHC to obtain worldwide all-media buyouts and to access masters, and all information regarding the location and contact of the masters.
·Work with Finance regarding invoicing and collection of payables from clients.
·Gather and disseminate information from clients on release and telecast dates, ratings, sales data and other information to further Company sales and marketing efforts.
·Stay informed as to industry news, competitor deals and trends by reading key industry publications and attending industry events and seminars.
·Collaborate with all departments within the Sales Division (i.e.
Consumer Products, Publishing, and Product Development) to maximize revenue and identify areas of potential cross-promotion.
·Research any business development projects as requested.
QUALIFICATIONS
·Superb sales and negotiation skills.
·Research skills and the ability to cold call.
·Ability to negotiate and understand contracts.
·Significant contacts with content buyers for various platforms.
· A working knowledge about media rights and the ever-changing media business.
·Team player.
· Excellent writing skills.
·An understanding of financial forecasts.
·A working understanding of the development and production process of film and television content.
·A working understanding of PowerPoint, Excel and Word.
·Experience with dubbing content into foreign languages.
·An understanding of television ratings.
·Must understand how to interface with a diverse client base.
·Awareness to the value of multi-cultural representation in this area of the entertainment industry is required.
·Candidates with multicultural backgrounds are encouraged
EXPERIENCE
·3-5 years of experience selling media rights in international markets, primarily television and/or digital.
·Experience working in children’s television, either selling or development of children’s television series is highly preferred.
TO APPLY
Include a resume and salary history when applying.
The Jim Henson Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We strive to foster an inclusive environment and build a team that is diverse across race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, age, national origin, and veteran status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $81,254.00
– $244,938.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Cell phone reimbursement
Dental insurance
Employee assistance program
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
Schedule:
Monday to Friday
COVID-19 considerations:
The Jim Henson Company has a policy that all employees must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19.
We require masks in common areas, boardrooms and on the lot.
employees may forego the use of masks if they are alone in their office.
Work Location: One location