
Director of International Legal and Business Affairs
Warner Music Group
New York, NYThis is a Full Time Job
Job Title: Director, Legal and Business Affairs-INTL
A little bit about our team: Warner Chappell's Global Legal & Business Affairs teams provide timely, pragmatic, risk-aligned, and business-oriented legal advice in order to execute transactions, to manage and resolve conflicts, and to inform the company's strategic decisions. We strive to be trusted advisers, who are valued and accountable for our creative problem-solving, our vigorous but respectful advocacy, and an understanding of our colleagues' goals plus broader legal and industry trends, all of which enable us to best support Warner Chappell and our songwriter community.
Your role:
We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented junior lawyer to join our Global Legal and Business Affairs team as a Director or Senior Director in our New York City office, focusing on our international operations. This is an exceptional opportunity to play a vital role in our company's international strategy and administration. You will report directly to the EVP, Global Legal and Business Affairs & General Counsel and work closely with other senior executives, international affiliates, outside counsel, third parties, and our Warner Music Group colleagues to handle a wide range of legal and business matters across multiple territories.
The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with 2-5 years of relevant experience who is eager to learn and grow within the music industry. You'll use your expertise to structure, negotiate, and draft a wide variety of complex commercial agreements and transactions, influencing the future of our company, our songwriters, and the wider music publishing industry.
Here you'll get to:
• Draft and Negotiate Agreements: Develop, draft, and negotiate a diverse set of sophisticated commercial agreements, including international sub-publishing agreements.
• Offer Cross-Border Legal Assistance: Communicate with Warner Chappell's global offices to coordinate projects, enforce company policies, and provide mentorship on copyright and related legal issues.
• Support with Catalog Acquisitions: Collaborate with in-house and external legal experts and other consultants to support catalog acquisitions and corporate deals.
• Advise Internal Teams: Counsel and collaborate with colleagues (including our Administration, Digital, and Finance teams) to answer questions, shepherd projects, manage risk, and ensure compliance with corporate, contractual, and legal obligations.
• Stay updated: Keep track of and report on technological advancements, laws, court rulings, and other legal changes impacting the realm of music publishing.
About you:
• Juris Doctor (J.D.) or equivalent degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Admission to the New York State Bar (or eligibility to practice law in New York State as Registered In-House Counsel) and in good standing.
• 2-5 years of relevant legal experience at a law firm or in-house legal department, with a focus on entertainment law.
• Exceptional drafting, negotiation, and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across different cultures and time zones in a manner consistent with our Code of Conduct and core values.
• Highly organized with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines.
We'd love it if you also had:
• Direct experience in the music publishing industry.
• Familiarity with U.S. and international copyright law and the structure and economics of licensing and collecting societies.
• Experience negotiating sub-publishing or administration agreements.
• Understanding of M&A and corporate law.
• Foreign language proficiency.
Additional Information
At Warner Music Group, we are a global collective of music makers, tech innovators, and passionate team members dedicated to turning dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. Our operations are guided by three core values: Curiosity, which drives creativity and innovation; Collaboration, emphasizing the power of teamwork in bringing music to the world; and Commitment, reflecting our pursuit of excellence for our team and talent. At Warner Chappell Music, we recognize that songwriters are the heart of our art form, shaping culture and inspiring generations. We partner with songwriters to hone their craft, build their careers, and protect their legacies, ensuring they are heard and valued in our global service to the music community.