VP, Business & Legal Affairs

Job Description:

At Warner Music Group, we’re a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we know that each talent makes our collective bolder and brighter. We are guided by four core principles that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

Music is Everything: Music is our passion, and we can never get enough. Tastes, trends, and tech will change, but great artists and songwriters will always be our driving force.

Global Growth, Local Expertise: Music is a global language. Through communication and collaboration, our success can come from anywhere and translate everywhere.

Innovation and Insight: Pushing the boundaries requires the best information and the boldest imagination. We use both to create the future.

Empowered by People: Like the artists we serve and the music they make, our differences make us stronger. This is a place where every talent can belong and build a career.

We remain committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. We know it fosters a culture where you can truly belong, contribute, and grow. We encourage applications from people of any age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, and any other characteristic or identity.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent.

Job Title: Vice President, 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 be directly involved in 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 learning new ones. The Warner Records culture will challenge you to make the most of your skills while providing ample opportunity to grow as an attorney and an executive!

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

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 New York or California).

You have at least 12 years of post-bar experience, including 8-10 years in a major record label business and legal affairs department, in-house legal department, law firm, or similar 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.

About us:

As the home to 10K Projects, 300 Elektra, Asylum, Atlantic, 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 catalogue 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: Music With Vision & Voice.

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.

#LI-Onsite

Effective October 1st, this position will require being in the office 4 days a week. We believe that an in-office presence is critical for talent development, collaboration and building strong relationships.

Salary Range

Salary ranges are included for job postings where required by law. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience and business needs. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external factors.

WMG is committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and will evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition as defined by state law (genetic characteristics or cancer), physical or mental disability, military service or veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Copyright 2023 Warner Music Inc.

Links to relevant documents:

2024 Benefits At A Glance final.pdf

EVerify Participation Poster.pdf

Right To Work .pdf