Music is Universal
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com
The A Side: A Day in The Life
We are currently looking for a VP Legal and Business Affairs to support our legal team. You will report to the SVP of the Business and Legal Affairs.
The B Side: Skills & Experience
Be Knowledgeable
- Structure, draft and negotiate proposals and structure, draft and negotiate various music-related agreements
- Provide advice and coordinate strategy on general corporate transactions and commercial agreements
- Review and analyze profit & loss and royalty statements
- Address concerns and propose solutions while balancing legal considerations with business objectives
- Analyse and assess potential risks and propose recommended courses of action
Be Organised
- Issue and track rights disputes on a weekly basis, and coordinate resolution between retailers and clients
- Issue Cease & Desist notices, DMCA notices
- Track and set-up distribution, publishing, and synchronization license agreements
- Obtain all necessary management approvals on key terms of commercial agreements
- Ensure dissemination of critical legal information to company employees
- Oversee corporate compliance with contractual and legal obligations
Be Collaborative
- Work with the financial department to prepare profit & Loss and sales analysis
- Provide counsel to internal Ingrooves and UMG departments and senior management on day-to-day business and legal issues and strategy
- Advise various Ingrooves departments regarding contractual obligations and restrictions in various Ingrooves commercial agreements
- Respond to requests for information and/or advice from other business units, including contract research and analysis
- Coordinate with other UMG legal departments (digital, litigation, etc.) on agreements and legal matters
- Assist management with corporate legal administrative matters and in determining and enforcing company policy regarding legal issues
Person Specification
Necessary
- Ability to analyse and provide strategic advice on a wide range of legal issues
- A keen interest in music and the music industry
- Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise multiple projects
- Legal experience from a top music/entertainment private practice law firm or similar
- Strong legal background in the areas of the law applicable to the music business (distribution agreements; sync/licensing, publishing, copyright, artist contracts, trademark, licensing, etc)
- Excellent negotiating, drafting, and communication skills
- General problem-solving skills, organisation, and a focus on detail
- Strong interpersonal skills – able to communicate with all levels of management
- Self-starter with ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Intellectual property, copyright expertise and music industry experience
- Familiarity with new technology and digital music environment
- Knowledge/experience with music industry royalty accounting or financial information
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)
Just So You Know…
The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder’s specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive and exhaustive statement.
