About the RoleWe're looking for a VP, Business & Legal Affairs to serve as Firebird's in-house counsel and strategic business partner across our labels and publishing companies. This is a hands-on role for someone who can move fluidly between the details of individual deals and the broader view of how work flows across the business. You'll lead negotiations, manage contracts, and provide timely, high-quality legal guidance across our roster while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency.
The right candidate will be energized by execution-focused dealmaking today and have the range to take on broader responsibilities as the function evolves. You'll also look ahead, finding smarter ways to work, including using AI to streamline contract review, drafting, and tracking, so the team can scale smoothly as deal volume grows.
Key Responsibilities- Structure, draft, and negotiate the full range of music industry agreements: joint ventures, label investments, recording and profit-split deals, publishing contracts, distribution, sync and licensing, brand and sponsorship deals, and live performance agreements.
- Own day-to-day legal and business affairs for a growing label and publishing roster, with recorded music as your primary focus.
- Manage outside counsel on specialized matters like litigation, IP disputes, and regulatory issues - and actively work to rationalize what we're currently spending on outside legal help.
- Bring an AI-progressive mindset to the legal function; use Firebird's Claude instance and other tools to speed up contract review, drafting, research, and tracking so more of your time is spent closing deals.
- Sit in on business development and creative meetings, bringing a sharp legal read on deals while they're coming together.
- Partner closely with Finance & Accounting, and Royalties teams to make sure deal terms get implemented and tracked correctly, from signature to statement.
- Work with our creative services teams on non-traditional partnership deals with brands and media companies.
- Keep contract tracking sharp (deadlines, options, deliveries, audits) using the tools already in place.
- Maintain an organized, searchable library of executed agreements, forms, and legal memos.
- Translate rights, obligations, and legal risk into plain language for stakeholders, and flag issues early.
- Stay sharp on trends across the domestic and international entertainment landscape.
- Mentor and manage junior business affairs counsel as the team and portfolio grow.
Qualifications- 10+ years in progressively senior roles drafting and negotiating music industry agreements. Significant bonus points if you have broader corporate legal experience beyond entertainment deals.
- A JD and active membership in the NY or CA State bar.
- Real comfort with AI tools - you've used something like Claude to speed up contract review, drafting, or research, and you see it as leverage, not a threat.
- Sharp attention to detail and the organizational chops to juggle high-volume, fast-moving work without dropping deadlines.
- Strong negotiating, drafting, research, and communication skills.
- International or cross-border deal experience is a plus.
- A team-first mindset - you work well across departments and stay open-minded when people see a deal differently than you do.
- Self-starter energy, sound judgment, and a genuine commitment to doing things right.
- You live and breathe the music industry, and you actually like getting deals done.
How We Take Care of the Flock- Ownership: Equity participation for everyone
- Health & Wealth: Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plus 401(k) with company match
- Performance Rewards: Annual bonuses tied to results
- Flexibility: Flexible PTO and hybrid in-office schedules for those in NYC
- Access: Live shows, festivals, and the music community you're helping create
- Growth: Learn from people who've built careers at majors, independents, and startups
