Director, Legal & Business Affairs - INTL

Warner Music Group • New York, NY

63d

About The Position

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 turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses: ● Curiosity: We do our best work when we’re immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity. It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future. ● Collaboration: Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork. A great idea, like a great song, travels globally. We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans. ● Commitment: We pursue excellence for our team and our talent. Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we’re committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises. WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success. That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone. We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. 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. At Warner Chappell Music (WCM) -the global music publishing arm of Warner Music Group (WMG) - we shape the culture of songwriting and champion songs that resonate for generations by creating transformational opportunities for songwriters everywhere. Our people and culture are at the epicenter of our company, and we are looking for team members who share our service-oriented mindset and have a passion for looking after our songwriters. 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed