Director, Music Business & Legal Affairs

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our global theme park destinations, consumer products, and experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through our powerhouse film and television studios, including Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, and Focus Features, and the four global television studios under the Universal Studio Group banner, and operate industry-leading theme parks and experiences around the world through Universal Destinations & Experiences, including Universal Orlando Resort, home to Universal Epic Universe, and Universal Studios Hollywood. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation. Visit www.nbcuniversal.com for more information.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Job Description

Role Overview

NBCUniversal is seeking an experienced Director of Music Business & Legal Affairs to support music business matters across the international Television Entertainment group including Universal International Studios, Universal Television Alternative Studios UK, Carnival Studios, Working Title, and other international production, broadcast and streaming operations. This role will oversee music strategy, rights management, and legal compliance for the aforementioned productions and platforms. The Director will serve as a key liaison between creative teams, legal counsel, and external music partners, ensuring seamless integration of music into content while protecting NBCUniversal’s interests.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead music business strategy across UK productions, aligning with global music policies and practices.
- Negotiate and oversee drafting of music-related agreements including composer deals, publishing arrangements, licensing, soundtrack distribution, and label waivers.
- Provide expert guidance on UK and EU music rights, copyright, fair dealing/fair use, parody, public domain analysis, union regulations, and performing rights.
- Review and clear music usage in programming to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
- Review and process quote requests, pick-up letters, master use and synchronization licenses, payments, vendor set-ups, and other music licensing-related matters across different productions.
- Interact with various departments on budgeting, invoicing, payroll, union obligations, and deliverables.
- Maintain tracking grids, cost charts, databases, etc., for all music usage, licensing, and other music needs across NBCUniversal.
- Cue sheet review, analysis, revision, and submission.
- Collaborate across all NBCU platforms in the development and implementation of technological solutions to best serve internal clients.
- Partner with producers, studio executives, legal teams, and external music entities to support creative and business goals.
- Create and maintain standard templates and workflows for music agreements and clearances.
- Collaborate with global Music Business & Legal Affairs teams to support international productions and initiatives.

Qualifications

Qualifications

- Minimum 6–8 years of experience in music law, entertainment law, or music business affairs. 
- Deep understanding of UK/EU music rights, licensing, and industry practices.
- Established relationships with major publishing companies, record labels, and music libraries, along with experience in clearance/licensing through other channels such as management, attorneys, agents, and independent companies.
- Highly motivated, highly effective self-starter with a strong track record of successful project execution
- Ability to effectively manage multiple clients needs with competing deadlines and business priorities.
- Teamwork-oriented attitude; demonstrated experience and willingness to perform at a high level as a team player.
- Big picture, out-of-the-box thinker; able to find creative, solid solutions to complex issues.
- Unparalleled organizational skills and unwavering attention to detail.
- Ability to work proactively, independently, and reliably under tight timeframes in a fast-paced environment.
- Proven ability to manage complex negotiations and high-volume deal flow.
- Exceptional analytical, drafting, and organizational skills.
- Strong communication skills with ability to advise senior stakeholders and creatives.
- Experience managing or mentoring junior staff is a plus.
- Tech-savvy, with a strong sense of how cloud-based documents, databases, and other systems are used in a modern business environment, including familiarity with Microsoft 365, contract management systems, payment and vendor setup tools, and music clearance and cue sheet systems such as Qwire, and SoundMouse.

Additional Requirements

- Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.
- Unrestricted authorization to work in the UK.
- Submission of CV.
- This would be a great opportunity for someone at Senior Manage level looking to step up

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].