VP, Legal and Business Affairs

Job Description

As a VP, Legal and Business Affairs at Provident Entertainment, this position will oversee all legal and business affairs and administration for Provident Entertainment (Provident Label Group, RCA Inspiration, Provident Films, and Essential Music Publishing) and provide guidance and input to executive team on all Provident Entertainment (''PE'') business affairs matters. This role will be based in Franklin, TN>

What you'll do:
• Review, negotiate, draft and administer contracts for the following (including, but not limited to): artists and all artist-related matters, production, online promotions, joint ventures, film, video, artwork, consulting, merchandising, vendor/service, publishing and administration
• Lead a team of 4
• Ensure all contracts are completed within guidelines and policies established by Sony Music Entertainment
• Provide counsel to internal departments and senior management on day-to-day business and legal issues and strategy
• Advise executive leadership team, marketing, A&R, promotion, finance, and other departments regarding contractual obligations and restrictions
• Review and approve all videos, artwork, label copy, advertising, and other promotional materials and initiatives; advise on legal issues and minimize company's legal exposure
• Address concerns and propose solutions arising from contractual and other restrictions while balancing legal considerations with business objectives
• Analyze and assess validity of claims and work with Sony Music legal and business affairs staff and outside counsel, when appropriate, to propose method of resolution, including settlement terms or other courses of action
• Review and approve all payments associated with all contracts (e.g. royalties, advances, recoupable costs, net proceeds, etc.)
• Oversee contract administration for music publishing clients, including option reviews, payment of advances and monitoring delivery requirements; ensure all owned and administered songs have been registered (copyright office, CCLI, PRO's, digital services, etc.), all exploitations have been licensed, and all royalties and fees have been collected and paid through to writers and other clients
• Oversee royalty set-up, processing and payment for all Provident Entertainment products, including copyright royalties, contract royalties, union royalties, distributed label royalties, and master license income
• Oversee royalty administration for Essential Music Publishing, including set up, processing and payment for all Essential Music Publishing songwriters and all owned and administered catalogs songs
• Oversee securing all necessary licenses (i.e., mechanical, synchronization, lyric reprint) and other permissions and clearances for all product released by Provident Entertainment, and set up of all such licenses in the royalty systems
• Oversee all processes associated with all recordings by Provident Entertainment recording artists (including securing producers, mixers, musicians, mixers, studios, mastering, payment and tracking of recording budgets, advances, etc.), all processes associated with compiling packaging design, photo shoots, label copy and digital copy for all product released by Provident Entertainment, and overseeing compiling of all recording and packaging assets for archiving and storage at Sony Music vault facilities and via digital platforms.
• Communicate and enforce Sony Music policies and procedures related to radio promotion, contesting, online promotions on current and emerging social medial sites/platforms, etc.
• Advise staff on compliance with policies and ensure PE employees complete required compliance training courses

Who you are:
• Law degree from a reputable law school and strong legal background in the areas of the law applicable to the music business (copyright, artist contracts, trademark, licensing, royalty accounting, music publishing, etc.)
• Minimum of 10 years of legal experience in an entertainment company or related law practice including at least 5 years of experience in drafting music related agreements
• Prior experience managing and motivating a staff
• Proven skill negotiating and drafting complex, music related agreements
• General problem-solving skills, business acumen, organization, and a focus on detail are of critical importance to succeeding in this role
• Strong interpersonal skills - ability to effectively communicate with all levels of management and employees as well as external business contacts and adapt styles and manner based on needs of your audience
• Creative self-starter with ability to multi-task and thrive in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a broad knowledge of the digital landscape
• Proven experience in a role that required the consistent ability to meet deadlines, maintaining composure and effectiveness under pressure and changing conditions

What we give you:
• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork
• Our Hybrid with Flexibility approach combines the flexibility of remote working with the benefits of in-person collaboration whenever we need to come together to do our best work. Managers will partner with their teams and employees to establish work arrangements that meet the business, team, and individual needs.
• 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
• We invest in your professional growth & development
• Time off for a winter recess

This position requires the use of the CLEAR Health Pass App to access the office and off-site work events. While COVID vaccination is highly encouraged, vaccination is not required for employees based out of our Tennessee offices, although COVID-19 testing may be required. Please do not include proof of vaccination or any other indication of vaccination status when submitting your application materials. If applicable, at the time of a candidate's onboarding experience, the Company will follow up directly to share the company standards around using the CLEAR Health Pass App and provide instructions for safely entering our TN offices. Please note, employees are required to be fully vaccinated to enter our offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. An employee will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna), or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine).

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rv57mw-18-190-156-212-42 in your application.