Contracts Business Affairs Manager - Permissions (12-month FTC)

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Contracts & Business Affairs Managerwith strong experience in the world of Permissions/Content Licensing/Contracts and Business Affairs.

You’ll be joining our dynamic Permissions & Content Licensing team in which you’ll have the opportunity to lead strategy, innovate, and drive revenue growth through granting Permissions and licensing content from our books to third parties.

This is a fixed term, full-time opportunity however, we would be happy to accept applications from those seeking part time hours at four days per week.

About Us:

The Permissions & Content Licensing Team forms part of the larger Group Contracts & Business Affairs Department and is responsible for licensing extracts, covers, artwork and other copyright material for a variety of uses by third parties.

Role Summary:

Working at a senior level with little supervision, you will act as a key member of the Permissions & Content Licensing Team with responsibility for developing and maintaining relationships with key licensees and authors, handling complex Permissions licences, training Permissions Assistants and Executives, ensuring Permissions processes, data and reports are maintained to a high standard, and shaping team strategy for growth. 

Key Responsibilities:

Key focus to process Permissions and licensing requests of varying complexity (from appraisal of initial request through to negotiating terms and contractual paperwork), manage key accounts, foster strong relationships and negotiate terms and rate cards as needed.

Collaborate with Head of Licensing Contracts and Contracts Director to strategise growth of revenue and exposure.

Oversee and implement the most efficient workflow for processing all Permissions requests.

Handle radio reading rights licensing.

Train and support Permissions Assistants and Executives, ensuring a high standard of work.

Maintain high standards in processes, monthly bulletins, data analysis, and response times.

Maintain Permissions & Content Licensing’s online presence, including intranet pages and online Permissions forms.

Lead team meetings and deputise for Head of Licensing when required.

Understand and apply template contracts and legal principles.

Liaise with other departments, including Editorial, Rights and Accounts, on Permissions matters, when necessary.

Deliver presentations as required.

Key Technical Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

Experience in a Permissions or similar content licensing role or within a Legal, Contracts, or Business Affairs Department, with the ability to analyse various contracts for rights granted.

Market awareness and a commercial mindset, with a keen understanding of the evolving publishing and content licensing landscape.

Proficiency in Excel and similar software; experience with One Biblio or similar data management systems is a plus.

Strong organisation and time management skills.

The ability to multitask and handle competing priorities with attention to detail.

To use your initiative but to be aware of when to escalate issues to line manager.

Behaviours Required:

Analytical thinking with a confident and questioning outlook.

A desire to learn, develop, and grow professionally.

Enjoyment in being part of a social, friendly, and supportive team.

Ability to work under pressure with minimal support and meet deadlines.

Effective and inclusive collaboration with a diverse range of individuals both within and outside the organisation.

Clear and effective communication style.

A common sense approach and ability to deal with complex requests.

About Penguin:

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

How to apply: Please apply with your CV & Cover Letter by 23:59 on Friday 13th September 2024.

Salary: £33,403 - £50,105 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus benefits.

Competitive benefits package: Our people are the heart of our business, and we work hard to support a culture of responsibility and recognition.

Our benefits include:

Financial – income protection, life assurance, childcare allowance

Wellbeing - healthcare cash plan, critical illness cover, health checks

Lifestyle – enhanced parental leave, tech scheme

For our full benefits list please visit: 

Hybrid working: While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect you to come into the office, based in London, 2/3 times a week.

The recruitment process: You can read about our recruitment process at 

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing . Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.

Company:  The Random House Group Limited 

Country:  United Kingdom 

State/Region:  London 

City: London 

Postal Code:  SW11 7BW 

Job ID:  273113