SVP, Business & Legal Affairs

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.

As the home to 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world’s premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike. And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre-spanning songwriters and producers through a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.

Together, we are Warner Music Group: Independent Minds. Major Sound.

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.