SUMMARY

The SVP of Talent Engagement and Strategy will act as an advisor to senior leadership, guiding and providing talent strategy on how best to support the company's talent objectives. This is a cross-functional role that works with every department and serves as a liaison between the company and its most valued asset, talent. The role will oversee and manage talent engagement on scripted and unscripted television projects as well as future development. The role will have a 360-degree view of all requests across the company for talent and with the chief communications officer, will guide and weigh in on where talent should be utilized to achieve maximum exposure across the company, brands, and platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with network executives and external producers to determine their talent needs for scripted and unscripted programming.

• Work with Business and Legal Affairs regarding talent contracts and provide insight into negotiations as needed, to achieve the best possible fiscal outcome in deals while maintaining creative vision.

• Identify talent for shows, including celebrity talent for host and docuseries opportunities, and uncover subcultures of unknown talent.

• Work with writers, producers, talent, and studio management to identify and engage talent for pilots and current series.

• Develop talent budgets and manage costs.

• Map talent usage across the year and the different programming categories.

• Act as a liaison between the studio, network, producers, agents, and casting directors to ensure that creative visions are being fulfilled with original, inventive, and relevant acting choices.

• Target and manage talent overall deals.

• Identify business moving talent: both international talent that is meaningful to our partners, as well as up-and-coming talent. Expose these findings to all departments where appropriate.

• Build and strengthen relationships via set visits, table reads, talent dinners, wrap parties, cast appreciation, festivals, premieres, awards campaigns, and gifting in partnership with the Talent and Events team.

• Advocate for a holistic approach to engaging talent to promote large-scale corporate initiatives and working with the EVP of Programming to guide and weigh in on who, when, and what talent should be utilized to achieve company goals while maintaining close alignment with all internal shareholders (including Publicity and Events, Marketing, Ad Sales, Distribution, and Digital Social Media).

• Utilize a vast network of relationships to serve as an informed liaison between on-air talent, the representative, and internal functions.

• Identify areas of interest for existing talent to enlarge/deepen their connection to Hallmark to ensure a purpose-driven and loyal talent base.

• Work to further the strategic direction of the network through the use of talent across scripted movies and series, unscripted series, and events and appearances.

• Identify and meet with various talents for potential development and future opportunities - match actors' personal interests with opportunities that help them cultivate growth and passion to offset any financial limitations of the dealmaking.

• Target breakthrough talent and stay current on trends, as well as foster relationships with emerging talent.

• Develop a strategic plan to bring in, nurture, and retain established and emerging talent.

• Work with senior leaders and creative executives to develop a plan for talent usage, cost projections, and production management as it relates to talent concerns.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS

• 15+ years of leading talent strategy for a studio including scripted, unscripted, series and digital content.

• Recognized 'name' within the talent industry with proven strong and effective relationships with talent agencies, managers, bookers, casting directors and publicists.

• Existing relationships with a broad spectrum of onscreen talent that engage both with onscreen and social media channels.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Demonstrable experience in actively supporting legal teams during contract negotiations.

• Previous success in identifying, presenting, and engaging previously unknown talent that can move the appeal and reach of content forward.

• Proven ability to develop, deepen, and secure relationships with talent through on-set visits, cast appreciation events, and table reads.

The salary range for this job is between $267,300 and $384,500. The salary rate will take into consideration several factors including location.

Hallmark Media is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, pregnancy, national origin, physical or mental disability, genetics, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally-protected status. Principals only please.