SONY/ATV MUSIC PUBLISHING – PARALEGAL
To apply, send your CV to RecruitmentUK.SonyATV@sonyatv.com
The Department
Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s established and efficient Business Affairs department is a fundamental part of the Company’s success. The department is responsible for supporting all A&R activity, Broadcast & Media Rights, Production Music and all other areas of the business, ensuring that the deals negotiated are commercially viable and legally workable.
The Business Affairs department also supports the Sales & Licensing Team in their grant of licences to third parties of the rights held by Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
The department deals with copyright disputes and sample clearances (either when the Company’s copyrights are being infringed/incorporated by a third party or where our writers have infringed/incorporated a third party’s copyright).
The Role
This role will be to support the Business Affairs department, assisting with various legal documents autonomously and as part of the team.
This role will report to the VP, Head of Legal and Business Affairs and will work to support the wider Business Affairs team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assisting with the drafting and negotiating exclusive songwriter agreements, product based (non-exclusive) agreements, assignments, print agreements, administration agreements, co-publishing (joint venture style) agreements, film and TV agreements, amendment agreements, licences for stage musicals, neighbouring rights agreements, library music agreements and new media agreements;
- Assisting with legal and commercial queries in connection with the interpretation of contracts, royalty/financial queries and copyright issues;
- Managing internal contract databases and spreadsheet;
- Undertaking various legal research and drafting short summaries;
- Draft and review NDA’s
- Assisting with non-publishing matters e.g. master use licences, recording agreements, software licences, confidentiality agreements and investment agreements;
- Drafting and negotiating controlled composition provisions;
- Due diligence in relation to possible catalogue/company acquisitions;
- Other additional ad hoc tasks as required by the Business Affairs department from time to time.
The Person
Job Specific Skills:
- Knowledge of law and copyright
- Accurate typing skills, producing neat and well presented work
- A general understanding of legal text and terms
- An ability to prioritise and cope calmly with a volume-heavy workload
- Proficiency in MS software packages, including Word and Excel
- Excellent spelling and grammar
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to communicate at all levels across the business
- Efficient and very close attention to detail
- Must demonstrate absolute discretion given the confidential nature of much of the information
Communication:
- Fluent in English
- Ability to communicate in a courteous and professional manner
- Ability to escalate issues appropriately
- Ability to influence and develop others positively
Teamwork & collaboration:
- Effective at working with internal colleagues and external bodies to to ensure smooth and efficient running of the department
- Be flexible and cooperative with the needs of the Business Affairs department such that, to achieve deadlines, there may be a requirement for cross-functional work to be undertaken as required
- Open-minded and motivated to recommend changes to processes and procedures where this would result in a more effective service
Time & Work Management:
- Ability to prioritise workload efficiently to ensure all responsibilities are met and delivered on a timely basis and open issues are followed through and resolved satisfactorily
- ensure that where there are planned absences or holidays, appropriate documentation and hand-over procedures are in place to ensure that Business Affairs can continue an appropriate and professional service
- consult the department where appropriate to communicate issues, ideas or solutions, solve problems and ensure customer service levels are maintained
Initiative & Motivation:
- Flexible, effective and enthusiastic approach to the role
- Continuously strives to deliver an effective service, looking for new opportunities and approaches to improvement
- Individual prepared and motivated to be part of a changing environment with an interest in developing the role, skills and relationships
Qualifications:
- Educated to degree level – Legal
- LPC – desirable
To apply, send your CV to RecruitmentUK.SonyATV@sonyatv.com