Senior Manager, Business Affairs Administration
How We LEAD
We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute, and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
How You'll CREATE
Rights Clearance & Release Support: Coordinate and manage music and video clearances by working with third-party labels, publishers, licensors, clearance agencies, artist management, and internal stakeholders to secure all required approvals for commercial releases. Manage the end-to-end clearance process, tracking requests, monitoring timelines, and helping resolve complex rights issues that could impact release schedules. Advise internal teams on clearance requirements, ownership splits, and licensing considerations for samples, side artists, compilations, soundtrack projects, and synchronization opportunities.
Contract Drafting & Administration: Draft, review, and administer a variety of music agreements, including Sample Agreements, Side Artist Agreements, Label Waivers (including Profit Split arrangements), and Soundtrack and Synchronization License Agreements. Manage agreement execution, maintain accurate contract records, distribute finalized agreements to appropriate stakeholders, and coordinate supporting documentation for payment processing.
Risk Assessment & Cross-Functional Partnership: Review music video treatments and final content to identify potential copyright, trademark, publicity, and reputational risks, partnering with Legal executives to resolve issues before release. Collaborate closely with Business & Legal Affairs, A&R, Marketing, Production, Revenue, Licensing, Artist Management, and Legal teams to support artist releases and commercial licensing initiatives. Partner with synchronization and catalog licensing teams to facilitate soundtrack placements and other licensing opportunities.
Process Management: Maintain organized tracking systems and documentation to ensure visibility into project status, contractual obligations, and clearance milestones. Recommend and support process improvements that increase operational efficiency and enhance cross-functional collaboration.
VIBE
Experience: 3-5 years of experience in music industry licensing, business affairs, legal administration, or a related field.
Knowledge: Working knowledge of music copyright, licensing, publishing, and recording agreements.
Skills: Exceptional organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines, demonstrated problem-solving skills and sound judgment when navigating complex rights issues, self-motivated with the ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments, comfortable working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining confidentiality, proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook, familiarity with UMG systems.
Perks
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution
A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including: Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees, 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees, 2-weeks paid Winter Break, 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day), Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Disclaimer
This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change. Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Please note, UMG is not enrolled in E-Verify in California and New York, and cannot support employment of candidates whose employer must enroll in E-Verify, for example candidates on STEM-OPT. For more information, please click on the following links.
E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish