
Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs
Warner Music Group
Los Angeles, CAThis is a Full Time Job
Job Title: SVP, Business & Legal Affairs
A little bit about our team:
We are a dynamic, diverse, and dedicated group of professionals with a passion for music who provide general counseling to Warner Records on a wide range of business and legal issues. We value hard work, fine-tuned listening, and a forward-thinking approach. We work closely with every department at the label and focus on structuring the label's business and legal relationship with each of our artists.
Your role:
You will have the chance to make a significant and tangible contribution to the creation and release of our artists' music. You will lead and oversee all business and legal aspects of the process, from recording to marketing to other activities surrounding artist projects. In a rapidly ever-changing industry, you will be challenged to make the most of your existing skills while driving strategic leadership and policy. The Warner Records culture will challenge you to make the most of your skills while providing ample opportunity to grow as an executive leader!
Here you'll get to:
• Negotiate and draft a variety of music and entertainment-related agreements, including recording, label, license, producer, mixer, soundtrack, termination/release, and merchandise, along with related memos and summaries
• Advise and support A&R, marketing, video, commerce, promotion, royalties, international, and other departments regarding contractual and legal obligations
• Partner with A&R administration regarding clearances, budgets, approvals, and general counseling
• Collaborate with Finance to develop deal analyses
• Review and vet artwork, label copy, videos, and other assets and materials
• Provide counseling and policy guidance regarding the label's content distribution and other business activities
• Investigate, analyze, and respond to claims and disputes, including copyright, audit, breach of contract, publicity, and trademark, and coordinate with the corporate legal department regarding dispute resolution strategies
• Lead, mentor, and manage junior attorneys, paralegals, and department staff
About you:
• You are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable about music.
• You have a J.D. from top law school plus membership in good standing in one state bar (preferably California).
• You have at least 12+ years of post-bar experience, including extensive experience in a major record label business and legal affairs department, in-house legal department, law firm, or similar senior executive experience.
• You have outstanding negotiating, drafting, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
• You have a proven track record working independently within a team-oriented environment.
• You consistently and effectively meet deadlines while working under pressure, managing multiple assignments at any given time, and prioritizing them effectively and appropriately.
We'd love it if you also had:
• Strong business and financial knowledge.
• In-depth understanding of the areas of the law applicable to the music business, including copyright, trademark, contract, rights of publicity, etc.
Love this job and want to apply?
Click the 'Apply' link at the top of the page, or apply directly with your LinkedIn. Applying with LinkedIn will import all of the information you put in your profile, but will still allow you to upload a resume and cover letter.
Don't be discouraged if you don't hear from us right away. We're taking our time to review all resumes, and to find the best people for WMG.
Thanks for your interest in working for WMG. We love it here, and think you will, too.
This position requires a minimum of 4 days per week in the office. We value in-office collaboration, which is essential for talent development and strong working relationships. #LI-Onsite
Links to relevant documents:
Salary/Benefits
$300,000 - $315,000 /year USD
Benefits
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Tuition assistance
• 401(k)
Perks
• In-office collaboration
• Talent development
• Strong working relationships
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 work is 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, ensuring we pursue excellence with integrity. WMG is home to a diverse range of artists, musicians, and songwriters, and we strive to create a work environment that values and respects everyone. Our portfolio includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, and Warner Classics, alongside Warner Chappell Music, which represents a vast catalog of songwriters and producers. Additionally, we support the independent community through ADA and offer artist services via WMX, while Warner Music Entertainment enhances our storytelling capabilities in film and television. Together, we embody the spirit of independent creativity within a major music company.