Manager: Intellectual Property Management: IP Services at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

• To manage the development and implementation of all strategies and policies relating to the acquisition, management, protection and exploitation of all intellectual property rights at the SABC.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT STRATEGY

• To manage the Intellectual Property Workstream of Legal Services known as Intellectual Property Management, i.e. IP Services Workstream within Legal Services;
• To manage the legal work pertaining to the development and implementation of effective Legal Services’ strategies relating to the registration, renewal, acquisition, management, protection and exploitation of all intellectual property assets and rights at the SABC.
• Attending to regularly updating, in collaboration with SABC Business Units, the SABC’s intellectual property rights policies and procedures.
• To provide day-to-day legal work pertaining to advisory, contract drafting, and dispute resolution pertaining to all aspects of intellectual property law, especially the law pertaining to Copyright, Trademarks and Merchandise rights.
• To provide all legal work pertaining to advisory, contract drafting, and dispute resolution pertaining to all Legal Services Workstreams.
• Review, approve and oversee the overall legal work of Legal Services’ Team pertaining to the IP Workstream and all Legal Services Workstreams in collaboration with the Managers of the aforesaid other Workstreams of Legal Services.
• Review and recommend revision of Legal Services’ strategy as and when the Legal Services Department attends to this.
• Advise on the developments in IP law and any broadcasting landscape changes.
• To source the most efficient and cost-effective tools to manage and protect intellectual property assets.
• To provide strategic advice in the acquisition or sharing of intellectual property rights.
• To develop effective strategies to protect SABC’s intellectual property rights including defensive and offensive strategies.
• To provide legal advice on the commercial exploitation of all SABC intellectual property rights including rights relating to content, music, trademarks and merchandise.
• To research and inform the relevant Divisions and Business Units of all changes in the laws affecting SABC’s intellectual property assets or the acquisition or sharing thereof and exploitation thereof.
• To conduct comparative research and market intelligence on royalties or license fees payable by and to the SABC as well as rights fees for the acquisition and exploitation of IP. Alternatively, assist with the process of appointing a service provider or renewing appointment of a service provider to conduct comparative research and market intelligence on royalties or license fees payable by and to the SABC as well as rights fees for the acquisition and exploitation of IP.
• To drive, manage and provide strategic direction on all negotiations relating to the acquisition and exploitation of music rights.

BUSINESS OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCY

• Implement and maintain HR governance policies, procedures and controls in line with legislation and best practice.
• Providing advisory and all legal work to ensure legal compliance with all laws affecting SABC’s legal rights and commercial and IP interests.
• Identification of possible risk areas for the business and propose corrective measures for implementation.
• Management of workload efficiently to advance the corporate objectives and goals.
• Conducting training and imparting the required skills to improve the quality of service in intellectual property law.
• Contribute to the designing, implementation, tracking and manage the performance management strategy of the Legal Department in line with the Departmental and corporate objectives.
• Management of identified legal IP projects for the organization.
• Providing expert advice, guidance, opinions and support on IP issues affecting the organization.
• Liaison with and briefing of Attorneys on IP, Commercial and Litigation matters in conjunction with the Departmental Head and other Departmental Managers.
• Negotiating, structuring, drafting and/or vetting of contracts relating to IP and general commercial services work.
• Reviewing standard contracts to ensure compliance with applicable policies and legislation and proper legal risk management.
• Applying, interpreting and advising on all relevant legislation.
• Represent the SABC and/or Legal Services where required.
• Conducting research and keeping abreast of the developments in legislation, rules and trends in the Broadcasting and Media related Industry for provision of up-to-date legal assistance.
• Compiling monthly and other reports of an acceptable standard.
• Providing input into the Departmental operational strategy.

RISK AND GOVERNANCE MANAGEMENT

• Enforcement of adherence to legal frameworks and dealing with non-compliance.
• Effectively dealing with regulatory matters relative to the business of the SABC.
• Co-operation with regulatory and policy affairs to ensure compliance with broadcasting policies, legislation, regulations and licence conditions.
• Applying, interpreting and advising on legislation to ensure proper corporate governance.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

• Co-ordinate, oversee and manage communications with all stakeholders in line with applicable policies and ensure effective client engagement.
• Compile high level reports on specific legal transactions and projects.
• Understand customer needs and revise legal systems accordingly in order to satisfy needs and requirements.

LEADERSHIP AND PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

• Contract and manage Performance Management System in accordance with organizational policies and procedures.
• Ensure adequate coordination of Reports with the Legal Services Team and workload management and effective leadership.
• Providing effective development of the Legal Services Team on legal work.
• Manage the Personal Development Plans (PDP) for all staff members.
• Manage leave of subordinates effectively.
• Effective briefing and communication with Departmental staff.
• Provide direction on the retention and attraction of staff.

INHERENT/MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATIONS

• LLB degree or equivalent.
• 5 to 10 years working experience as an Admitted Attorney.
• Admission to practice as an admitted Attorney.

EXPERIENCE

• 5 years’ experience in a legal media environment or servicing media clients.
• 5 years’ general commercial experience.
• NB: An understanding and/or experience in Broadcasting, Media and Entertainment Law an added advantage.

KNOWLEDGE

• ICT Laws
• Governance – Compliance with Policies and Procedures
• Business Environment
• Deal Structuring
• Legal Risk Management
• Corporate and Commercial legal principles

Deadline:27th July,2026