SVP, Legal and Business Affairs

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time.

Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship.

Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies.

The SVP, Legal and Business Affairs will be responsible for the oversight of all legal activities associated with the businesses of Sony Music Nashville (“SMN”) and Provident Entertainment (“PE”).  As a key member of the senior leadership team, this individual will provide guidance and input on legal matters of the highest profile, impact, complexity, and/or sensitivity.  The SVP will engage and partner with a variety of business leaders both locally and with centralized departments to shape and execute SMN and PE’s legal, business and operational strategies.  

What you'll do:

• Negotiate and draft contracts for the following, including but not limited to: recording artists, joint ventures, production, promotions, film, video, artwork, consulting, merchandising, non-disclosure, purchase and vendor/service as well as review and analyze contracts related to television, music publishing and administration
• Oversee, manage and administer the rights and obligations related to all contracts entered into by the organization, including without limitation, advance payments, royalty accounting and royalty audits
• Ensure all contracts are completed within guidelines and policies established by Sony Music Entertainment
• Provide strategic and collaborative guidance, counsel and expertise to senior leadership and other departments on a broad array of significant legal issues and contractual obligations and restrictions impacting our business, artists and commercial operations
• Analyze and assess potential risks and propose recommended courses of action
• Promptly and proactively address concerns raised by senior leadership and other departments by analyzing business objectives in compliance with applicable laws and corporate policies 
• Review and approve all videos and artwork; advise on legal issues and minimize company’s legal exposure
• Analyze and assess validity of claims and work with Sony Music Entertainment’s Central Law Department teams and with outside counsel, as needed, to propose method of resolution, including settlement terms or other courses of action
• Build and maintain a current knowledge of local, state, and federal legal and policy issues impacting the company to advise the business on developments and strategic approaches to business strategies and new business initiatives or approaches
• Oversee, lead, develop and coach a local team of lawyers responsible for supporting the business by collectively negotiating and drafting of legal agreements for SMN and PE.  Provide direction and real-time feedback, partnering on individual development, delivering formal performance reviews and discussions, handling administrative and managerial matters associated with having direct reports, and leading the efforts related to recruitment, retention, and succession of team members.  This also includes managing the day-to-day operation of the local team, including budgeting and resource allocation.
• Oversees the sourcing, vetting and management of outside counsel in a cost-effective manner
• Communicate and enforce Sony Music Entertainment’s policies and procedures related to privacy, radio promotion, contesting, online promotions on current and emerging social medial sites/platforms, etc. Advise staff on compliance with policies. Ensure SMN and PE employees complete required compliance training courses

Who you are:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the Tennessee, New York or California State Bar
• Strong legal background in the areas of the law applicable to the music business (copyright, recording artist contracts, trademark, licensing, royalty accounting, music publishing, etc.)
• Minimum of 12 years of legal experience in an entertainment company or related law practice including at least 8 years of experience in negotiating and drafting music related agreements and handling and advising on intellectual property matters
• Proven skill negotiating and drafting complex, music and entertainment related agreements
• A solution oriented, creative problem solver with exceptional risk assessment and analysis skills
• Strong Leadership skills: conducts themselves with a high level of professionalism, models behavior to create desired culture, builds rapport by being an excellent collaborator who operates with the greater good in mind, holds self and others to a high degree of accountability, sets a vision and establishes a path to get there (for self and others), demonstrates managerial courage and compassion, leads others through change, uncertainty and ambiguity
• Prior experience managing, mentoring, coaching, developing and motivating successful teams
• Strong collaboration and team skills, bringing an overall business mindset and approach to getting effective results
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and staff as well as external business contacts and lawyers
• Proven ability to adapt styles and manner while effectively communicating, consulting, influencing and negotiating with diverse audiences
• A curious, non-judgmental thinker who has demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly to new information, processes and inputs and successfully work through ambiguity
• Highly self-motivated with a strong sense of personal accountability
• Must thrive working in a fast-paced, often changing environment with the ability to effectively shift between strategic thinking and executing work – consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining composure and effectiveness under tight time constraints

What we give you:

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day  
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best 
• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching 
• Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans 
• Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.  
• The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next  
• Time off for a winter recess

Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.