Manager, Contract Administration (20th Animation)

Job Summary:

The Manager, Contract Administration, at 20th Animation and Disney Television Animation will have a pivotal role in managing the administration of options tracking, pilot script development payments, and EWA for series, and television movies. Reporting to the Director of Contract Administration, the Manager will be responsible for implementing the contractual obligations and administrative processes for Animation on their projects and duties. This position involves significant independent judgment and decision-making authority. The Manager will work closely with executives across Animation, helping to facilitate alignment with the company's processes and practices. Responsibilities include the accurate interpretation of agreements, maintaining a high volume of projects and ensuring that tasks are handled in a timely manner. The Manager will navigate complex contract administration tasks and foster a professional, inclusive and collaborative environment that aligns with Disney's values and strategic goals.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day handling of all aspects of administration of above-the-line agreements for television development and production, including data management and contract summaries.
• Manage a high-volume workload and digest and review entry of deal points for various development and production agreements.
• Track options in database systems, distribute reminder notices to various departments and handle option payments and letters.
• Process pilot script development payments and collect start paperwork for new talent hire.
• Supervising series WGA worklists to track and provide to the WGA Guild on a weekly basis.
• Draft and process series EWA agreements and payments including internal and external distribution.
• Track and process WGA character payments and program fees on applicable series in addition to agency package fees, royalty payments and 3rd party reuse.
• Field and respond to internal and external inquiries regarding covered responsibilities in addition to providing necessary documentation and information.
• Create and maintain strong working relationships with Business Affairs, Residuals, Finance and Casting across Animation, as well as talent agents, managers and occasionally talent on each project.
• Collaborate with other members of the Contract and Casting Administration teams while holding self and team members to a high level of excellence and professionalism.
• Promote an environment of support, respect, well-being and flexibility where Disney values are embraced, encouraging creative problem-solving and inclusiveness.
• Develop self and others by encouraging the team to express their ideas, explore their interests, and stretch current skill sets and mindsets.
• Demonstrate care and compassion by being present, demonstrating empathy, building trust, and creating an environment where the team feels supported.
• Assure all administration matters are being handled in compliance with the applicable union/guild agreements.
• Be able to identify and resolve ongoing issues and serve as administration lead on high level, larger scale and complex projects.
• Research ad-hoc queries and provide reports for Business Affairs, Legal Affairs, Production, Labor and Finance.
• Communicate effectively with IT partners to troubleshoot database issues and reconcile information with other database systems.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years of experience in the entertainment industry administering the contractual obligations in talent agreements including tracking options, analyzing deal terms and database entry.
• General experience with animation agreements.
• A highly organized individual who has strong communication skills, excellent judgment, is a self-starter, has the ability to work with a high level of detail and complexity and exhibits a professional and collaborative demeanor.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple tasks concurrently and possession of strong time management skills is essential.
• Broad knowledge of applicable union/guild agreements, particularly for animation projects.
• The candidate must be comfortable and confident when interfacing with a variety of team members, high-level executives (internally and externally), production personnel and talent representatives.
• Strong IT skills and extensive database experience with expertise using a variety of database systems. Experience with BLAST, IDeA, Box, and AirTable preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote).

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Paralegal certificate.
• Litigation or law firm experience a plus.

Additional Information

• On-site 4 days per week in Burbank.

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $79,400 to $106,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.