At a Glance
- Tasks: Draft and negotiate agreements across various areas of music and entertainment law.
- Company: Join Universal Music, the world's leading music company with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Exciting career growth, exposure to a dynamic industry, and a collaborative team environment.
- Other info: Work in a diverse team that values inclusivity and embraces different working styles.
- Why this job: Launch your legal career in a creative industry while making impactful contributions.
- Qualifications: Qualified Solicitor with a strong academic background; experience in music law is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Music is Universal
It\'s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world\'s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email
The Central Legal Team, part of Universal Music UK\'s wider Legal & Business Affairs department for recorded music, provides legal and business affairs support across our core central operations.
Our Remit Spans a Wide Range Of Functions, Including
- Commercial teams (digital and commerce)
- Globe – UMG\'s award-winning brand partnerships division
- UMR – UMG\'s renowned catalogue team
- Universal Music Ireland
- Abbey Road Studios
- Artist Relations & Events
- Core Universal Music UK business and board (including general commercial, M&A, joint ventures, and artist rights agreements)
We are a central hub, supporting and collaborating with almost every part of Universal Music UK — working closely with teams across the business, as well as partnering with our frontline label Legal & Business Affairs colleagues.
The Role
We are seeking a talented and ambitious Solicitor to join our Central Legal Team. This role offers a broad and varied scope, working across multiple areas of Universal Music UK\'s business.
From brand partnerships to corporate transactions, artist rights to live events, your work will cover the full spectrum of music and entertainment law. While some responsibilities will be transactional, this position offers the chance to grow into a trusted advisor role — supporting the business as it evolves and helping shape its future direction.
This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the inner workings of the world\'s leading music entertainment company, while developing both your legal expertise and commercial acumen in a truly dynamic industry.
Key Responsibilities
Drafting, negotiating, and advising on agreements covering:
- General commercial (commerce, digital, suppliers)
- Brand partnerships and activations
- General corporate (including M&A and joint ventures)
- Artists and labels
- Live performances and musicals
- Competitions and promotional campaigns
- Events and experiential projects
- Producers, remixers, mixers, featured artists, and samples
Overseeing And Administering
- Deals from inception to completion
- Deal approvals and internal processes
- Rights management systems
What We\'re Looking For
- Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales, with a strong academic background
- Some experience in music, media, or entertainment law (in-house or private practice) helpful but not essential
- A self-starter who enjoys working across multiple teams and building strong relationships across the business
- A true generalist, excited by variety and comfortable switching between different types of legal and commercial work
- Commercially minded, confident with numbers, and not afraid to think outside the box
- Organised, adaptable, and proactive, with a collaborative approach
Why Join Us?
- An exceptional opportunity to launch or grow a long-term career with the world\'s leading music entertainment company
- Exposure to a constantly evolving, exciting, and creative industry
- A varied and challenging role spanning multiple areas of law and business
- The chance to work alongside a young, dynamic, and diverse team in a highly collaborative environment
- First-hand insight into the full breadth of life at a global entertainment powerhouse
Just So You Know…
The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder\'s specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.
Job Category
Business & Legal Affairs
Legal and Business Affairs Manager – Central Legal Team in London employer: Universal Music Group UK
Universal Music is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions diversity and innovation. As part of the Central Legal Team, you will have the unique opportunity to develop your legal expertise in a dynamic environment while collaborating with passionate professionals across various sectors of the music industry. With a commitment to employee growth and a focus on meaningful contributions, Universal Music provides a rewarding career path for those looking to make an impact in the world of entertainment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Legal and Business Affairs Manager – Central Legal Team in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the music and legal industries, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Universal Music and its various teams. Understand their projects and values so you can show how your skills align with their needs. Tailor your responses to highlight your adaptability and commercial mindset.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Legal and Business Affairs Manager, you'll need to be confident in discussions. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to get comfortable with articulating your thoughts and strategies.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Universal Music family.
We think you need these skills to ace Legal and Business Affairs Manager – Central Legal Team in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Music:When you're writing your application, let your love for music shine through! We want to see how your passion aligns with our mission at Universal Music. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your enthusiasm for the industry.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your legal expertise and any experience in music or entertainment law. We appreciate candidates who take the time to connect their skills with what we do here at Universal Music.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We love a well-structured application that clearly outlines your qualifications and experiences. Avoid jargon and make it easy for us to see why you’re the right fit!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Music Group UK
✨Know Your Music Law
Brush up on your knowledge of music, media, and entertainment law. Familiarise yourself with recent trends and cases in the industry, as this will show your passion and understanding of the field during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Mindset
Be prepared to discuss how you can think commercially about legal issues. Think of examples where you've had to balance legal considerations with business needs, and be ready to share these insights with the interviewers.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves working across multiple teams, highlight your experience in building strong relationships. Share specific examples of how you've collaborated with different departments or stakeholders to achieve a common goal.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some insightful questions about the role and the company culture. This not only shows your interest but also gives you a chance to assess if Universal Music is the right fit for you. Think about asking how the Central Legal Team collaborates with other departments.
