Overview

 Senior Director Legal and Business Affairs – 12 month FTC – London, N1C 4AG, United Kingdom 

The A Side: A Day in The Life

Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company. Operating in over 75 countries, UMG is a major actor in the expansion of the digital market and works with over 670 online partners worldwide.

At the forefront of innovation and to provide cross functional incremental revenues to the broader business, a specific division called Universal Music for Brands (https://www.umgb.com/) was established in 45 markets, covering 70 territories, and provides tailor-made entertainment marketing, creative, content and media solutions to many local and global partners.

The central UMGB team consists of specialist teams (insights & consultancy, creative, talent relations, legal, finance) and commercial teams (key accounts, new business and market relations.)

The key focus for this temporary, 12 month role within UMGB’s Legal & Business Affairs teams includes: Internal support and advice, internal and external compliance and contract drafting, negotiation and execution.

We’re looking for a commercial transactional lawyer with proven music industry experience negotiating with artists and rights holders. Experience negotiating brand partnership deals within the music and/or entertainment industries is highly valued, but an understanding of the music industry is critical. You will oversee the legal and business affairs operations across UMGB to ensure smooth processes, best practices, and maximize returns.

The B Side: Skills & Experience

We are looking for a candidate who is able to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

Commercial Practice:

  • Proven experience of negotiating and drafting bespoke contracts to accomodate unique deal types.

  • Strong commercial aptitude for drafting contracts which deliver value and protect UMG’s interests.

  • Ability to help prepare and catalogue precedents.

  • Managing internal approval processes with senior management and enforcing internal policies.

  • Experience settling routine commercial contracts such as non-disclosure agreements and data sharing agreements.  

Music:

  • An expert understanding of the music industry and the different rights holders (record labels, publishers, performing rights organisations etc).

  • Experience drafting recording contracts and ancillary recorded agreements (e.g. mixer agreements, produder agreements, side artist agreements etc.), publishing agreements, synch licences, distribution agreements etc.

  • Expertise in intellectual property law and commercial contracts.

  • Experience in commissioning bespoke music and the recording process.

  • Understanding of the live music industry and tour promotion.

Brand Partnerships:

  • Prior experience of brand partnerships, talent endorsements, and/or licensing agreements.

  • Experience working with advertising and creative agencies.

  • Understanding of the role that data, insights and strategy play in modern marketing campaigns.

  • Experience drafting talent agreements (artist, influencer, etc.).

Personal Specification

  • Experienced qualified lawyer, with demonstrable track record in a senior level business affairs role within a music / digital content or entertainment business.

  • Solid experience in commercial, IP, contracts and copyright work (drafting, negotiating and advising).

  • Proven ability to forge strong relationships across multi-functional and multi-territory business.

  • A solid experience of negotiating and implementing various deal types with business partners and potential other brands.

  • Solid experience of working with top name acts, management, agencies and brands.

  • Proven track record in identifying and understanding commercial opportunities and advising on legals and growing revenues within a business.

  • A demonstrable track record working on a fast-paced, global team across multiple deals simultaneously.

  • Experience of working at an international level.

Bonus Tracks: Your Benefits

  • Group Personal Pension Scheme (between 3% and 9%)

  • Private Medical Insurance

  • 25 paid days of annual leave

  • Interest Free Season Ticket Loan

  • Holiday Purchase scheme

  • Dental and Travel Insurance options

  • Cycle to Work Scheme

  • Salary Sacrifice Cars

  • Subsidised Gym Membership

  • Employee Discounts (Reward Gateway)

 

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