Manager, Contract Management and Operations

Manager, Contract Management and Operations

Manager, Contract Management & Operations oversees the entire contract process for global licensing. This process covers multiple regions and lines of business, which include Merchandising, Publishing, Promotions, Clip Licensing, and Location-Based Experiences. This role ensures that deals are precise and data is of high quality. It focuses on executing contracts on time and tracking renewals successfully. The role also requires working closely with partners from different functions. It also maintains full compliance with internal policies and controls. The position ensures operational excellence. It does this by analyzing data, solving problems, and improving contract systems, workflows, and tools. This role also connects Sales, Legal, Finance, Compliance, System Ops, IT, and offshore execution teams.

Responsibilities:

• Provide comprehensive contract management support across multiple licensed categories, regions and LOB
• Review and manage Deal Memo submissions within Salesforce, ensuring timely approvals, data accuracy, and adherence to required business, finance, and legal standards
• Serve as a subject-matter expert for Deal Memo requirements, guiding Account Executives through submissions, and resolving submission gaps
• Review proposed deals against Health Checks Policy and departmental SOPs to ensure compliance with internal business, finance, and legal requirements
• Verify contracts before execution. This ensures a precise deal setup in the Contract Management System (License Maestro). Systematize amendment entries. Maintain data integrity for complex commercial and financial structures.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and escalate system anomalies affecting contract performance or data quality, and collaborate with the System Ops and IT to address associated defects
• Manage UAT testing efforts and provide feedback to improve system functionality
• Support renewal dashboard enhancements, oversee and maintain renewal trackers, partner with Sales to secure timely renewal submissions, and deliver consistent progress updates on expiring contracts
• Manage end-to-end IP setup in License Maestro, including rights confirmation and restriction
• Collaborate with the offshore execution team to address Zendesk tickets and implement corrective actions, ensuring precise and proficient application of financial changes within the deal setup
• Manage and execute ad hoc projects including but not limited to: Agent transitions Rights acquisition Data clean-ups and integrity analysis Assessments of changes in process and policy impacts Onboarding and training for Account Executives

Basic Qualifications:

• 3-5 years of relevant licensing industry work experience
• 5-7 years of management experience
• B.A., B.S. in Business, Finance or Project Management
• Highly analytical, with the ability to identify root causes and assess downstream impact of complex issues
• Solid communication skills, with the ability to successfully liaise across multiple business partners (including Sales, Legal, Finance, IT, and others)
• Broad proficiency with business software applications and operational systems
• Deep attention to detail while maintaining a big-picture perspective across cross-divisional initiatives
• Self-motivated with a robust sense of ownership and follow-through
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (e.g., pivots, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP); proficient in Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint
• Well-developed financial acumen, including knowledge of entertainment and licensing industry practices
• Proven ability to interpret and assess complex contract language
• Exemplary time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Initiative-taking, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to propose creative approaches to complex problems
• Ability to multitask and manage diverse projects and concurrent assignments
• Effective collaborator able to work autonomously and cross-functionally; demonstrated leader and team player
• Willingness to challenge the status quo and conceptualize alternative, more efficient approaches

Additional Qualifications:

• Experience in legal affairs, accounting, and operations management
• Solid knowledge of general accounting principles; royalty accounting experience

Paramount is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) including disability/vet. At Paramount, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, on-screen and off. From the programming and movies we create to employee benefits/programs and social impact outreach initiatives, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all. Paramount is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, and Veteran status.