Sr. Director, Business & Legal Affairs, The Americas

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Senior Director, Business & Legal Affairs, The Americas at BMG in Los Angeles is a cross functional role representing the company to artists, management and the legal and business community, ensuring US repertoire rights are secured for global activities. You will draft, negotiate and finalize agreements including recording, songwriter, license, JV and administration agreements, advise on copyright and IP, and collaborate with Finance, Royalty and Creative teams while maintaining strict compliance. The ideal candidate has a JD and an active bar license, exceptional negotiation and relationship skills, superb attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects under deadlines. Tips: tailor your resume to highlight large scale deal experience, cross functional collaboration and music industry familiarity, pair it with a concise cover letter that connects your background to BMG values and the hybrid work model; emphasize results and impact.

At BMG, we recognize the power of music and are dedicated to ensuring it thrives. We are a community of artists, songwriters, and partners, working together to create music and build lasting careers. Here, music creators find not just a business partner, but a trusted home where their work shapes culture and leaves a legacy. Together, we evolve and grow.

We believe that creativity flourishes when people feel they belong. That means building a culture where everyone can show up as themselves, contribute freely, and be treated with fairness and respect - whatever their background, identity, or life story. We’re committed to creating a workplace where individuality is valued, inclusion is intentional, and everyone has the chance to grow. All applicants to BMG will receive equal treatment regardless of age, disability, gender identity or expression, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

Sr. Director, Business & Legal Affairs, The Americas

Los Angeles

Your Mission

As Sr. Director of Business & Legal Affairs, you will represent BMG to the creative, business, and legal communities in LA and beyond, while serving as a primary point of contact for BMG Artist and Songwriter attorneys, management & business teams. Above all, you will embody and transmit the values of fairness and transparency to our partners and colleagues.

Join the Business & Legal Affairs team to ensure that our frontline US labels acquire the rights and authorities to engage in the activities of our recorded business functions globally in respect of US repertoire. This responsibility requires extensive, high volume, and fast-paced deal making/negotiation, legal drafting, document preparation, financial modeling with the Investments and the Finance teams, integration with supply chain and royalties teams, and planning and strategizing with the creative sponsors and product manager teams. This is a department made for those who thrive in a dynamic, creative environment, and can keep a cool head and an eye for detail. If you are passionate about music, are process-driven and want to work at the cutting edge of BMG’s iconic roster of artist clients, we want to hear from you. You will work on projects that reach millions, collaborate with top-tier artists and industry leaders, and drive innovation in a fast-evolving industry.

What You'll Be Doing

• Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and finalizing: (i) Recording Agreements (All types, Profit Share/Artist Rev. Share/PPD), (ii) Songwriter Agreements, (iii) Administration Agreements, (iv) License Agreements (i.e., General Licensing Agreements, Direct License Agreements), (v) JV/Profit Share Agreements, (vi) Music Video Agreements, (vii) Photography Agreements, (viii) Product Placement Agreements, (ix) Termination Agreements, (x) Label Exclusivity Waiver Agreements, (xi) Producer Agreements (only for certain projects), (xii) Producer Certification of Employment Agreements, (xiii) Promotional Radio Agreements (xiv) General Work for Hire/Acquisition Agreements for BMG as a whole; (xv) Co-publishing Agreements; (xvi) Publishing Administration Agreements; (xvii) Co-writer Collaboration Agreements; (xviii) Work for Hire Agreements, (xix) NFT Licenses; (xx) Trademark Licenses, and (xxi) Artwork Licenses.
• Reviewing, negotiating and finalizing agreements with third parties as part of standard ongoing business needs such as: Facility Rental Agreements, Certificates of Insurance, CMA/CMT License Agreements (individuals projects only), AFM & SAG-AFTRA Amendments and Compliance, etc.
• Advising and counseling on copyright and intellectual property issues surrounding music exploitation and general business development.
• Working closely and providing meaningful business and legal guidance/counseling to the BMG Creative Team and Executive Team in connection with material terms contained in the Agreements listed above.
• Working closely and providing meaningful business and legal guidance/counseling to the BMG Finance & Royalty Teams.
• Drafting Cease and Desist and Copyright Infringement Letters, coordinating content protection with BMG’s clients (attorneys and management) whose work was infringed and negotiating, mitigation and settling with the infringing third parties.
• Reviewing and negotiating boilerplate agreements with repeat or new vendors (e.g. outside PR, ad buying, marketing firms, sweepstakes, terms and conditions, etc.).
• Policing and ensuring compliance with BMG Legal obligations and internal policies.

What You Bring

• J.D. from an accredited law school, State Bar license certification or in process of Bar admittance.
• Strong negotiation and relationship skills. Networking and business development experience is plus.
• You have exceptional attention to detail and a proactive mindset
• You are able to track, prioritize, and follow through on multiple projects simultaneously, even under pressure or tight deadlines.
• You are comfortable navigating informal lines of communication and decision making.
• You are an exceptional listener, respectful of opinions of team members but also confident in expressing yourself
• Basic understanding of recording agreements, master use license agreements, producer agreements, collaboration agreements, songwriter agreements, co-publishing agreements, music copyright administration agreements, sub-publishing agreements, asset purchase agreements, copyright law, trademark law, contract law, personality rights, rights of publicity, law of defamation, media law, FCC and FTC regulations pertaining to satellite, over the air, and/or cable broadcast and internet transmissions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft.

Now What's In It For You

• Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid setup: 3 days in office, 2 days remote.
• Experience peace of mind knowing that our comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage has got you covered.
• Maximize your savings with our dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match of up to 6% after your first year.
• Say goodbye to accruing vacation days or hitting a cap; take time off when you need it with our flexible time off policy!
• Save money and time with our commuter benefits program.
• Stay healthy and earn financial rewards with our fitness reimbursement program and wellness incentives.
• Access well-being support 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Program.
• Unlock your potential with development opportunities, including mentorship programs, LinkedIn Learning and educational reimbursements.
• Be inspired by our talented artists at our showcases and playbacks.

Pay Range
$150,000 - $175,000 per annum

The pay range listed above is dependent upon factors such as work experience, qualifications and business needs. 

Ready to shape the future of music?

We are an E-Verify employer.

For more information, please click on the following links.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish

BMG will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.

Founded in 2008, BMG reimagined the relationship between music companies, songwriters, and artists by offering fairer contracts, greater creative freedom, and unparalleled transparency in royalties and licensing. Now the fourth-largest music company in the world, BMG combines human creativity with cutting-edge technology to connect music with global audiences.

With 20 offices across 13 key markets, BMG represents more than three million songs and recordings, including some of the most iconic catalogs and works from leading artists and songwriters such as The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, George Harrison, Blondie, and more. BMG is wholly owned and privately held by the international media, services, and education company Bertelsmann, whose other content businesses include the entertainment company RTL Group and the trade book publisher Penguin Random House.

www.bmg.com

 Company: BMG Rights Management (US) LLC | Job ID: 286585