Director, Legal & Business Affairs
About The Position
EMPIRE is a premier and dynamic music company that prides itself on the development and support of independent artists. We are a rapidly growing firm that has been making waves in the music industry, with an extensive portfolio that spans multiple genres and reaches audiences worldwide. We have become the largest independent record label in the U.S., with a significant global presence covering Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, and North and South America. We keep ourselves busy with a large range of music-related services from original content and marketing to distribution and recordings. Our commitment to artistic creativity, innovation, and progressive business solutions forms the foundation of our corporate culture. We believe in fostering talent, not just in our artists but also within our professional teams. As we continue to expand, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey. EMPIRE is looking for a Director, Legal & Business Affairs to join our downtown San Francisco office. This role will report to the Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and will assist the Legal and Publishing teams with various agreements and licenses.
Requirements
- JD from an accredited law school
- License to practice law
- Must be based in San Francisco or willing to relocate
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual
- Knowledge of music history and current culture
- Strong work ethic and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
- Use of discretion and the maintenance of high levels of confidentiality
Responsibilities
- Draft, review, and negotiate a wide range of music industry agreements relating to recorded music, including recording artist agreements, distribution agreements, producer agreements, licensing agreements, master use and synchronization licenses, and other agreements involving master recordings and related rights
- Provide legal counsel to internal business teams on deal structuring, contract interpretation, rights issues, and day-to-day legal matters relating to the company’s recorded music and publishing business
- Conduct copyright ownership and chain-of-title research, including work-for-hire analyses, sample clearance, and other rights clearance matters, and advise stakeholders regarding associated risks and approvals
- Manage inbound and outbound rights, licenses, and clearances relating to master recordings, recorded music, and third-party content
- Support royalty-related matters by working with finance and royalty administration teams to interpret contractual terms, respond to royalty claims, and assist with audit-related matters
- Collaborate cross-functionally with A&R, creative, marketing, digital operations, distribution, royalty administration, and finance teams, serving as a trusted legal resource throughout the organization
Benefits
- Competitive Compensation Package
- Competitive Benefits Package
- Company Paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- Company Paid Health Savings Account (HSA) Contribution
- Healthcare Spending Account (FSA)
- Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation, and Sick)
- Company 401(k) Plan
- Wellness Resources
- Commuter Allowance
- Cell Phone Allowance
- discretionary bonus
- profit sharing program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
