Manager, Business Affairs - AWAL

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.

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 identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Manager, Business Affairs will manage a variety of business affairs administration and licensing matters as part of AWAL’s Business Affairs team). This role will primarily be focused on AWAL’s business in the Americas and those clients signed in the region.

What you'll do:

• Providing business affairs and legal support to A&R, including negotiating, drafting and executing a range of artist and label client agreements and side letters across all AWAL multi-faceted service tiers
• Taking over Business Affairs’ day-to-day ownership of AWAL’s development artist deals and suite of agreements for the Americas, with the view of becoming the A&R team’s “go-to” legal representative for projects falling under this category 
• Assisting the Business Affairs team with AWAL’s distribution platform matters as needed
• Supporting the Business Affairs team in their collaboration with AWAL’s creative, marketing and promotional teams to negotiate, draft, execute and advise on the legal/commercial ramifications of a wide array of partner agreements – including audience growth arrangements, data collection activations, marketing campaign initiatives, competitions, territorial physical and/or digital product partnerships, consultancy agreements, NDAs, NFT/web3 projects, events and branding/sponsorship opportunities
• Assisting with the management of third party accounting “letters of direction” and handover of the same to the Royalties and other administrative teams
• Working with Sony centralized teams on licensing projects and opportunities – including soundtracks, compilations, digital activations and samples
• Working with internal AWAL teams on licensing projects and necessary agreements/arrangements connected to international territorial licenses, digital activations and branding
• Dealing with necessary recorded broadcast/performance/DSP session, etc waivers and releases on behalf of AWAL and its clients in a timely manner, and maintaining a streamlined system of instructions with our marketing, promotional and international teams for the same
• Assisting the Business Affairs team with contractual arrangements for AWAL’s own and curated client events and related matters (e.g. venue hire arrangements, sponsorship and brand protection)
• Providing Business Affairs support to operational and accounting teams, as well as helping with admin tasks for the Business Affairs team
• Advising on and supporting AWAL teams on general or specific legal and commercial matters including deal terms, IP/copyright issues, data use, dispute resolution, brand and business protection, best legal practice and general Business Affairs enquiries
• Provide advice in support of other Business Affairs team members to ensure consistency and business strategy are achieved

Who you are:

• Strong drafting, negotiating, written and verbal communication skills, multitasking ability and knowledge of the music industry and intellectual property issues
• Ability to interact well with all levels within the organization, including senior executives
• Ability to work well in a collaborative, team oriented environment
• Self-motivated/works independently
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Google Workspace, etc.
• Detail oriented, timely and accurate
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Excellent communication