Head of Content Licensing & Digital Distribution

ELEVATION PICTURES is a leading Canadian distributor and producer of independent feature films. We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Head of Content Licensing & Digital Distribution to oversee licensing and digital distribution across broadcast television, SVOD, AVOD, and transactional platforms. This role reports into the SVP, Distribution & Sales.

This is a high-ownership role responsible for both the strategy and day-to-day execution of Elevation's content licensing and digital distribution business. The Head of Content Licensing & Digital Distribution is the company's primary relationship owner with key streaming platforms, broadcast partners, and ancillary clients, and contributes actively to overall distribution and acquisition strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Business Development:

• Develop and implement sales and distribution strategy for broadcast television, SVOD, AVOD, and transactional channels, aligned with company goals.
• Identify and pursue new revenue opportunities, platform relationships, and market initiatives to grow the business.
• Track performance against budgetary targets and provide regular internal reporting on key initiatives, sales activity, and industry trends.
• Stay current with developments in the streaming, broadcast, and digital distribution landscape.

Sales & Client Management:

• Serve as the primary external-facing contact for key broadcast television, SVOD, and licensing partners, managing relationships at a senior level.
• Lead the development and execution of Elevation's AVOD strategy, including negotiating platform agreements, pursuing exclusive arrangements, and overseeing content scheduling and platform programming.
• Manage the full sales cycle for content licensing: pitching titles and deal structures, negotiating terms, and reviewing and approving final agreements.
• Manage airline sales and hotel revenue-share relationships.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key clients, staying current on their priorities, personnel changes, and strategic direction through regular contact and industry engagement.

Licensing & Agreements:

• Negotiate and manage long-term and multi-title licensing agreements as well as one-off deals, spanning Pay 1, Pay 2 and other windows across broadcast television and SVOD partners.
• Manage licensing timelines and fee structures, including coordinating release dates and communicating terms based on theatrical performance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Canadian producers on pre-licensing matters, including CMF submissions, funding requirements, and contractual obligations such as rough cuts, notes, and credits.
• Manage linear sales in French Canada with the support of Quebec distribution partners.
• Work alongside Business Affairs on deal paperwork and final agreement execution.
• Work alongside Rights Management to prepare and distribute licensing avails, conducting final reviews to ensure alignment with overall distribution strategy.

Transactional Oversight:

• Oversee the transactional client portfolio, providing strategic direction and senior relationship management while supporting a junior team member in handling day-to-day client contact and title pitching.
• Negotiate and renew long-term transactional agreements as required.
• Coordinate with Marketing on transactional campaign timing and provide strategic sign-off to ensure alignment with overall distribution priorities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with Theatrical Sales, Finance, Marketing/PR, Rights Management, and Business Affairs on release planning and post-theatrical distribution.
• Contribute acquisitions input as required, with particular attention to downstream distribution viability and Canadian titles.

Required:

• 5+ years experience in content licensing and digital distribution, with demonstrable knowledge across broadcast television, SVOD, AVOD, and transactional platforms 
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate complex licensing and distribution agreements independently.
• Knowledge of the Canadian media landscape, including CanCon regulations, CMF and Telefilm requirements, broadcaster relationships, and the French-Canadian market.
• Track record of building and maintaining strong client and partner relationships.
• Strong analytical skills — able to value content, forecast revenue, and track performance against targets.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage a complex portfolio of deals and relationships simultaneously.
• Clear and confident communicator with strong negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Comfortable working in a collaborative environment and providing direction to junior team members.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with acquisitions, particularly CanCon and library titles.
• Bilingual in English and French.
• Established relationships with Canadian and international SVOD and AVOD platforms.

If you bring strength across most of these areas and the ability to quickly get up to speed on the rest, we want to hear from you. 

What We Offer:

• A rare chance to lead and shape a core part of the business at one of Canada's most respected independent film distributors.
• A high degree of autonomy over a broad and varied content portfolio.
• A collaborative, film-first culture with a passionate and close-knit team.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to film screenings, industry events, and festival opportunities.
• Hybrid work environment based out of our Toronto headquarters.

Compensation:

• $125,000 - 175,000 annually.
• Salary range reflects a broad band across experience levels; final offer will be calibrated to the selected candidate’s background. 

Vacancy:

• This posting is for an existing, open vacancy.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use:

• We use AI-enabled tools during initial screening to help sort and organize applicants.

 

Elevation Pictures is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are looking for diverse perspectives and are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful work environment. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities.