Associate Director, Business Affairs Administration

Job Description

The Associate Director of Business Affairs Administration will provide legal and administrative support to the Business and Legal affairs department of Sony Music Masterworks. Sony Music Masterworks is a multifaceted entertainment division of Sony Music Entertainment that is based in New York with outposts in Los Angeles, London and Berlin. Our business is centered around recorded music from a variety of genres (including classical, Broadway, jazz and film and video game soundtracks) as well as an array of live entertainment experiences including Broadway theatrical productions, music festivals, immersive art experiences and seasonal trail lights shows. This position works closely with the Business & Legal Affairs and A&R Administration departments to ensure proper administration of various contracts, particularly with respect to recorded music. The successful candidate must be a highly motivated professional with a strong work ethic, an enthusiastic attitude and the proven ability to consistently perform positively in a fast-paced, challenging work environment. This position reports to the Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for Sony Music Masterworks and will be based in New York.

What you'll do:
• Track option exercise dates and license expiration dates. Work closely with A&R, A&R Administration and Contract Administration Departments to maintain and update Artist Recording Planner for tracking purposes. Generate and circulate quarterly reports to notify Senior Management of when option exercise and expiration dates are imminent. Draft and send option exercise and drop notices to artists.
• Become well versed in the company-wide policies impacting promotional uses of recordings by exclusive artists and advise press and marketing departments accordingly.
• Draft and supervise drafting of a variety of music related agreements, including label waivers, services agreements for new recordings (orchestra agreements, side artist agreements, producer agreements), artwork agreements, production agreements for audiovisual content and master use licenses in connection with soundtrack albums and educational compilation products.
• Review artwork, label copy, videos, advertising and other marketing and promotional materials for clearance purposes as well as to ensure proper display of credits and copyright notices.
• Ensure receipt of all information required to properly calculate royalties on a recording including but not limited to, producer agreements, guest artist agreements, third party license agreements and letters of direction.
• Work closely with A&R Administration department to ensure timely contractual payments are made and that above-mentioned royalty calculation information is provided to the royalties department for proper and timely coding.
• Coordinate with A&R Administration to ensure completion and submission of union contracts (AFM/SAG-AFTRA) to ensure label meets union deadlines and requirements; collecting materials from producers, musicians, vocalists and interacting with the union and union payroll company; resolving claims with the union.

Who you are:
• Degree from an accredited law school.
• 1-3 years industry experience in business affairs, licensing or entertainment law firm. Member of New York Bar in good standing preferred.
• Strong negotiating and analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on contract drafting and business writing.
• Superior organizational skills, time management and attention to detail with ability to effectively multi-task.
• Knowledge of the music industry and intellectual property issues (e.g. copyright, trademark, etc.).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to successfully work with multiple stakeholders and build excellent business relationships, both internally and externally.
• Able to be responsible and accountable for significant projects, self-motivated with the ability to work without close supervision.

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 that the job candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that an applicant 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). The Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for documented medical reasons and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. Please do not include proof of vaccine status or any indication of a possible request for an accommodation when submitting your application materials. If applicable, the Company will follow up with you directly to request proof of vaccination and to discuss any potential accommodations.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rjxw71-18-191-176-66-42 in your application.