Headquartered in Dubai Media City, MBC is the leading satellite television, radio and digital network operating in the Middle East and North Africa Region employing some 2000 staff from over 60 nationalities and a global audience of over 150 million viewers. As part of its ambitious expansion plans MBC has launched MBC Studios with a view to becoming a global player in creating Hollywood class movies and big budget TV series often with a middle eastern theme suitable for a global audience in both the English and Arabic language. MBC are working with leading US and UK law firms in California, New York and London, and many Hollywood and UK producers, directors, actors and writers.

MBC is looking to recruit a Film and TV lawyer to work exclusively for MBC Studios specialising in Arabic language contracts, reporting into the Director of Legal of MBC Studios and working in a team of 7. You will be responsible for negotiating, drafting and reviewing a wide range of legal documentation necessary to produce full length feature films and big budget TV series, and providing legal and business affairs advice and support to MBC Studios and the Director of Legal to support its creativity, innovation, new talent and 'cutting edge' feature film and television production.

You will be a qualified film and television lawyer, with demonstrable expertise in acquiring underlying rights, production, and co-production deals, ideally with experience also of working under USA union terms (including SAG, IATSE, WGA and DGA). Knowledge of distribution deals is useful though not essential. You will have the ability to meet deadlines in a commercial and dynamic environment and to handle a spread of projects across a range of activities with a fast-paced turnaround. The work is predominantly high budget drama, but also includes documentaries, so experience of clearances and compliance also very helpful.

You will have excellent drafting skills and relevant PQE in commercial and entertainment law. A sound knowledge of copyright and contract law is essential. Strong and demonstrable negotiation skills and sound business acumen are essential. A bi-lingual (English/Arabic) language skill set is essential for this role.

Benefits will include a competitive tax free salary and private health insurance.

Key responsibilities:
- Drafting and negotiating in Arabic (and assisting with English language contracts as may be required by the department) for key HOD and BTL contracts, including experience of the requirements of USA guilds such as SAG, DGA etc.
- Assisting the Director of Legal with key production financing agreements, co-production agreements and development agreements as required, including engaging third-party producers under PSAs where needed.
- Drafting and negotiating writer and other talent agreements and being aware of WGA guild requirements. Knowledge of PACT/WGGB agreement useful.
- Assisting the Director of Legal with drafting and advising on security finance agreements and helping with required tax and other rebate agreements (including UK, Canada, Romania, Abu Dhabi incentive and rebate schemes) as required.
- Established experience with underlying rights documents (options, book and IP rights agreements, format agreements, writer agreements, development agreements etc.).
- Review and creation of key cast & crew agreements and reporting and advising on those documents to MBC.
- Reviewing and suggesting improvements to our Arabic language template agreements to ensure good practice and alignment with the English language template agreements.
- Being an active participant in MBC Studios' meetings, planning, development and team building events, including working directly with MBC Studios producers and development executives.
- Working closely with MBC Studios finance teams.
- To be an ambassador for MBC Studios through maintaining a professional approach at all times.
- To carry out all responsibilities in a way that supports MBC values and promotes equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion within MBC.