Director, Music Affairs

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

Based in Los Angeles or New York, this role is ideal for an experienced music executive, who thrives in a fast-moving environment and is excited to roll up their sleeves, solve novel challenges, lead a team, and have a seat at the table. At its core, the role will oversee music matters across Versant’s businesses, including building internal policies, scaling processes, negotiating music clearance and library agreements, creating new ways to exploit owned music, and servicing Versant’s business units with their music needs. This role reports to the SVP, IP & Music.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and implement strategy for clearing, licensing, and exploiting music across the Versant enterprise.
• Manage and mentor a small team of music professionals, investing in their development and building a culture that values learning, accountability, and shared success.
• Draft, negotiate, review, track a wide array of music agreements including work-for-hire agreements, record label and music publishing waivers, sync and master agreements, and long form blanket agreements ranging from production music libraries to composer deals, AV licenses, and similar documents.
• Assess copyright risk and advise content creators on music usage and licensing implications, fair use, ephemeral use, parody, and union issues.
• Create processes that scale for the tracking and payment for applicable music uses across the Versant enterprise, including cue sheet automation.
• Conduct client and staff trainings in the areas of music, copyright, cue sheets, and general business processes
• Administer and/or oversee the administration of the company-owned music catalogue, including maintaining all databases of musical assets and administering internal or external use of such assets.
• Use data-infused strategies to grow Versant’s music revenue while driving down its costs.
• Partner with senior business executives, as well as colleagues in the Legal Department, to discuss and implement best practices and formulate new processes in connection with business needs.

Qualifications

• 9+ years of music business and legal experience, preferably in-house.
• Mastery over the economics, relationships, and practicalities of licensing and composing music for use in television, marketing and digital businesses.
• Deep knowledge of and relationships within the music industry.
• Tech-savvy, with knowledge of cutting-edge databases, AI, and software that can create efficiency in music workflows, including Trevanna and SoundMouse.
• Highly motivated and reliable self-starter with strong track record of prioritization and successful project execution.
• Excellent and pragmatic business judgment that considers non-legal factors.
• Ability to set clear team priorities that are tightly aligned with business goals, and drive the team to deliver strong results.

Desired Characteristics:

• Track record of successfully managing music professionals, including leading with candor, inclusivity, and a strong commitment to developing and elevating team members.
• Ability to see around the corners, and experience evaluating risk with imperfect information and have the confidence to make quick decisions.

Additional Requirements:

• Hybrid: This position has been designated as hybrid, generally contributing from the office a minimum of three days per week. Subject to change based on business need. This position is eligible for company sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.
• We’re moving fast and encourage you to apply as soon as possible