Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs

Overview

A leading Canadian content company known for the creation, production, and distribution of high-caliber dramatic series is expanding its senior leadership team. With a strong track record of delivering innovative and globally resonant scripted content, the company is entering its next phase of growth through strategic partnerships and international co-productions.

The Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs will play a key leadership role in driving strategic business affairs, global partnerships, and co-production activity. This executive will lead negotiations, structure complex financing deals, and oversee international rights and legal frameworks that support the packaging and delivery of major scripted content across borders.

This is a hybrid role that blends the acumen of a business-minded producer with deep legal and financial fluency. The successful candidate will have proven experience working with global streamers, major broadcasters, funders, and co-production partners across multiple jurisdictions.

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the company s business affairs strategy across development, production, and post.
• Serve as the senior liaison with key external stakeholders including broadcasters, legal counsel, funders, and distributors.
• Represent the company in high-level deal making and business development negotiations.
• Oversee international and interprovincial co-productions, including project structuring and compliance.

Global Partnerships & Deal Structuring

• Identify and execute strategic partnerships with international production companies, distributors, and streaming platforms.
• Negotiate and close complex co-production and financing agreements, including international treaty co-productions.
• Secure rights to high-value IP and work with legal teams across jurisdictions (e.g., Canada, U.S., U.K., EU).
• Lead pre-sale efforts and manage multi-part financing structures for scripted content.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with internal teams (Development, Production, Legal, Finance) to ensure consistent deal execution.
• Oversee documentation, closings, and legal deliverables on major deals.
• Ensure creative, operational, and commercial objectives are aligned across all projects.

Funding & Compliance

• Supervise applications and reporting for external funding sources (e.g., CMF, Ontario Creates, Bell Fund, NOHFC).
• Ensure compliance with Canadian content regulations (CAVCO, CRTC) and international treaty obligations.
• Maintain oversight on rights management, copyright, and funder deliverables.

Leadership & Operations

• Lead and mentor a high-performing Business Affairs team.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement in deal making processes.
• Represent the company at key industry events and markets.

• 15-25 years of senior-level experience in business affairs, television production, or media law.
• Demonstrated success in leading international negotiations and structuring multi-party deals.
• Deep knowledge of Canadian financing tools and international co-production agreements.
• Strong industry relationships with global buyers, distributors, streamers, and legal stakeholders.
• Background in rights management, IP acquisition, and production financing.
• Legal or business degree preferred; fluency in both English and French is a strong asset.