Director, Business Affairs

About AWAL
AWAL offers a modern approach to the traditional record company, providing artists all the resources and expertise of a global label, while allowing them to retain ownership and control of their music. With local offices around the world, AWAL’s services include global marketing and creative services, A&R, playlist and radio promotion, publicity, synch and brand partnerships, and access to real-time comprehensive music data and insights.
With a mission to partner with independent artists to tell stories that shape culture, AWAL’s diverse roster ranges from rising artists to globally renowned acts, including Little Simz, JVKE, Laufey, deadmau5/kx5, Disclosure, Lil Peep, JPEGMAFIA, Maddie Zahm, Lauv, Young the Giant, SBTRKT, Jungle, mxmtoon, Tom Misch and more. AWAL also helped develop the careers of an impressive roster of alumni including Steve Lacy, Rex Orange County, FINNEAS, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, girl in red, Lizzy McAlpine, and Kim Petras, among others. For further information on AWAL, please visit www.awal.com or connect on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube.
The Director, Business Affairs will have a critical role within AWAL’s Business Affairs team, working very closely with the A&R, Marketing, Finance, Operational and Senior Management teams at the company. This role will primarily be focused on AWAL’s business in the Americas and those clients signed in the region – but with real exposure to international client deals also at an exciting time when AWAL is growing its operations worldwide and establishing a truly global footprint.
What you'll do:

Providing business affairs/legal support and collaboration 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.
Helping develop templates and negotiation positions for international client deals as AWAL continues its global expansion.
Being one of the main Business Affairs’ contributors to and advising on legal and best commercial practice on certain promotional and marketing initiatives for clients signed out of AWAL’s US business (whether local or international) – e.g. DSP sessions, broadcasting, performance licensing, AI and NFT/web3 projects.
Working closely with Sony Music Entertainment central legal and legal-adjacent teams in developing optimal deal terms and positions for AWAL clients.
Overseeing legal and commercial aspects in connection with various territorial umbrella, physical distribution and individual license partnerships with third parties in relation to AWAL US-signed client projects.
Helping with a variety of “audience development” activations Marketing teams may want to explore, often with a focus on cutting-edge technology and multi-party co-operation between AWAL, its clients and their advisers, third party platforms and partners/brands.
Supporting AWAL’s Sync and Brands teams with more complicated projects requiring business affairs and legal assistance.
Working with other members of the US Business Affairs and Sony Music Entertainment legal and compliance teams on AWAL events, including venue hires, sponsorship, performer contracts and waivers, event planner contracts and insurance.
Dispute resolution and interacting with Sony Music Entertainment’s Litigation team as applicable.
Being an important and vocal member of the global AWAL Business Affairs team, working collaboratively on templates, new or changed policy provisions and contributing to collective thinking on new business and revenue streams matters as they pertain to legalities and commercial/contractual applicability.
Acting as a delegate for certain meetings for the SVP, Global Business and Legal Affairs – with a primary focus on local meetings with other members of the AWAL US team as well as Sony Music Entertainment – and reporting back to him/the wider Business Affairs team where appropriate and applicable.
Assisting with the supervision and mentorship or more junior members of 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 avoidance, brand and business protection, best legal practice and general Business Affairs enquiries.
Acting, with other members of the Business Affairs team, as internal “policy guardians” to ensure consistency and business strategy are achieved.

Who you are:

Appropriate legal degree qualifications (minimum JD-level) and active practicing credentials.
Strong, experienced and confident drafting, negotiating, written and verbal communication skills, multitasking ability and deep 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.
Ability to understand complex music rights environments and to make alternative label deal structures work within the same in a coherent manner.
Adaptability – often in fast-paced situations.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, Google Workspace, etc.
Detail oriented, timely and accurate.
Excellent organizational, prioritization and time management skills.
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
A good network in the music industry, with good, demonstrable and active relationships with lawyers and managers across the US.
Active “real life” experience in business affairs at an entertainment law firm or media company.
Fluency in Spanish and/or Portuguese would be an added bonus (though not essential).
Role is envisaged as being based in Sony Music Entertainment’s New York office – but applicants based in LA would also be considered.

What we give you:

You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day
A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best.
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
Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.
The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next
Time off for a winter recess

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