Acquisitions Consultant

Role Summary:

FIFTH SEASON is seeking an Acquisitions Consultant to provide maternity cover within its London-based Acquisitions team. The consultant will source, evaluate, negotiate and manage premium scripted and unscripted television content for global distribution. Working closely with the SVP, Acquisitions and teams across Sales, Finance, Legal, Business Affairs, Marketing, Operations and Production, the successful candidate will help maintain a strong, commercially focused content pipeline and progress selected opportunities from initial assessment through to deal execution and launch.

The scope of the role may be tailored to reflect the successful candidate’s experience. We welcome applications from candidates operating at different levels who can demonstrate strong commercial judgement, editorial instincts and must have deep production relationships across the television sector.

Role Responsibilities:

• Source high-quality third-party scripted and unscripted television content for global distribution, identifying new producers, projects and commercial opportunities.
• Evaluate submissions and provide clear editorial and commercial recommendations on acquisition or investment opportunities.
• Assess projects against market demand, sales needs, strategic priorities, competitive positioning and potential return on investment.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with producers, agents, financiers, studios, broadcasters, platforms and other content partners.
• Lead or support negotiations on selected distribution, licensing, co-production and investment opportunities, working closely with Legal and Business Affairs to secure appropriate rights and commercial terms.
• Work with Finance and Sales to develop sales estimates, investment cases and financial models, and to assess production budgets, finance plans, talent costs and recoupment potential.
• Manage incoming requests from FIFTH SEASON studio and production teams, including worldwide sales estimates, editorial feedback, packaging considerations and market guidance.
• Identify content gaps, emerging audience and buyer trends, and competitor strategies to help ensure the acquisitions slate remains distinctive and commercially relevant.
• Coordinate cross-functionally with Sales, Finance, Legal, Business Affairs, Marketing, Operations, Scripted Television Strategy, Studio, Documentary and Film teams to support deal execution, rights tracking and content launches.
• Track priority projects and deals, ensuring relevant internal teams receive timely information, materials and updates.
• Review scripts, pitches, production materials and rough cuts, providing constructive editorial and commercial feedback where required.
• Prepare and deliver project briefings to sales teams, including key selling points, target buyers, comparable titles and commercial considerations.
• Provide regular updates to the SVP, Acquisitions on pipeline activity, deal status, strategic opportunities, risks and financial implications.
• Represent FIFTH SEASON professionally at markets, festivals, screenings, meetings and other industry events.
• Travel domestically and internationally when required.

Requirements:

• Relevant and extensive experience in content acquisitions, sales, distribution, production, commissioning, programming, financing or a related television role.
• A strong understanding of the global television landscape, buyer needs and evolving distribution and financing models.
• Excellent editorial judgement, with the ability to assess both the creative quality and international commercial potential of a project.
• Commercially minded and analytically strong, with experience interpreting budgets, finance plans, sales estimates, research and other financial information.
• Experience of negotiating and executing content deals, or supporting negotiations through to close.
• A strong network of relationships across the production and content community, appropriate to the candidate’s level of experience.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills, with the judgement to deploy tact, diplomacy and discretion.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects, deadlines and shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative and comfortable working across a matrix organisation with senior creative, commercial and operational stakeholders.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions focused, with strong attention to detail and a willingness to take ownership.
• A genuine passion for premium television content and an understanding of its creative and commercial value.
• Flexibility to work across international time zones when required.