Shape the future of storytelling at WildBear.
WildBear is Australia’s largest independent documentary studio, creating, producing and distributing innovative factual stories for global audiences.
WildBear is looking for a strategic and commercially-minded Business Affairs & Legal Counsel to lead our Business Affairs and Legal function. Reporting to the CFO and partnering closely with the CEO, you will be a key architect of our commercial success, providing legal and commercial support across development, production, sales, distribution and finance.
This is a senior operational role for a legal professional who thrives at the intersection of creative ambition and commercial discipline.
The Role
You will lead the Business Affairs and Legal function, ensuring our contracting, rights management, and governance frameworks protect the company while enabling sustainable growth. You’ll be a trusted advisor, navigating complex deal structures and ensuring outcomes align with WildBear’s risk appetite and strategic goals.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Advisory & Leadership: Act as a key advisor to the CEO and Executive Team on material commercial and legal matters, offering guidance on risk exposure, deal structuring, contractual obligations and corporate governance.
Commercial Negotiation: Lead negotiations with critical stakeholders, including broadcasters, commissioners, distributors, screen agencies and financiers, ensuring outcomes align with company strategy.
Drafting & Legal Support: Draft, review and negotiate a broad suite of agreements, including production investment, co-production, distribution, and chain-of-title documentation. Collaborate with internal teams to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Manage disputes and liaise with external legal counsel as necessary.
Rights Management: Oversee WildBear’s rights framework, ensuring intellectual property and copyright are protected and optimized for global exploitation.
Functional Leadership: Manage and mentor the Business Affairs Assistant, building a resilient and efficient legal operations function.
Financial Interface: Coordinate with Finance and Production Finance to ensure legal documentation aligns with cashflow requirements and funding conditions.
What You Bring
Legal Expertise: A legal qualification and admission to practice in Australia, with strong technical skills in contract law (minimum of 2 years PAE). Previous in-house experience will be highly regarded.
Commercial Acumen: Strong professional judgment with the ability to balance risk against commercial opportunities and deal velocity.
Industry Knowledge: Experience in the media/screen industry or intellectual property is highly desirable, particularly regarding rights, funding mechanisms, and distribution.
Communication: Highly developed communication and influencing skills, with the ability to convey complex legal advice to non-legal stakeholders.
Negotiation Skills: A proven track record of closing complex commercial arrangements.
Leadership: Experience managing people and building disciplined processes in a fast-paced, creative environment.
Why WildBear?
Join a leading production house where your legal expertise directly empowers world-class content creation. We offer a collaborative environment where you can apply innovative solutions to complex commercial challenges.
Ready to lead our Business Affairs team? Please submit your CV and a cover letter detailing your experience and suitability to this role, as well as confirming your right to work in Australia.