VP, Business & Legal Affairs

Firebird Music•Los Angeles, CA

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Firebird is seeking a VP, Business & Legal Affairs to serve as their in-house counsel and strategic business partner across their labels and publishing companies. This is a hands-on role for someone who can manage individual deals and oversee workflow across the business. The position involves leading negotiations, managing contracts, and providing legal guidance to the artist roster, while also identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements. The ideal candidate will be adept at deal execution and capable of taking on broader responsibilities as the function evolves. A forward-thinking approach to using AI for contract review, drafting, and tracking is also expected to support the company's growth.

Requirements

10+ years in progressively senior roles drafting and negotiating music industry agreements.
A JD and active membership in the NY or CA State bar.
Demonstrated comfort and experience with AI tools for contract review, drafting, or research.
Sharp attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage high-volume, fast-paced work without missing deadlines.
Strong negotiating, drafting, research, and communication skills.
Team-first mindset, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments and remain open-minded.
Self-starter with sound judgment and a commitment to ethical practices.
Passion for the music industry and a drive to close deals.

Nice To Haves

Broader corporate legal experience beyond entertainment deals.
International or cross-border deal experience.

Responsibilities

Structure, draft, and negotiate music industry agreements including joint ventures, label investments, recording and profit-split deals, publishing contracts, distribution, sync and licensing, brand and sponsorship deals, and live performance agreements.
Manage day-to-day legal and business affairs for a growing label and publishing roster, with a primary focus on recorded music.
Manage outside counsel for specialized matters such as litigation, IP disputes, and regulatory issues, and work to optimize spending on external legal services.
Utilize AI tools, including Firebird's Claude instance, to expedite contract review, drafting, research, and tracking.
Participate in business development and creative meetings, providing legal insights on deals as they are formed.
Collaborate with Finance & Accounting and Royalties teams to ensure correct implementation and tracking of deal terms.
Work with creative services teams on non-traditional partnership deals with brands and media companies.
Maintain contract tracking for deadlines, options, deliveries, and audits using existing tools.
Organize and maintain a searchable library of executed agreements, forms, and legal memos.
Translate rights, obligations, and legal risks into clear language for stakeholders and proactively identify issues.
Stay informed about trends in the domestic and international entertainment landscape.
Mentor and manage junior business affairs counsel as the team and portfolio expand.