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- Tasks: Lead employment legal strategy and ensure compliance in a dynamic music environment.
- Company: Join Universal Music Group, the world's leading music-based entertainment company.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, health perks, and a vibrant workplace culture.
- Why this job: Shape the future of music while protecting creativity and integrity.
- Qualifications: Qualified solicitor or barrister with strong UK employment law experience.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive team committed to supporting unique talents.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ 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 UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com.
About Our Legal TeamAt Universal Music Group, we shape culture through the power of artistry. Our artists move the world. Our people make that possible.
Our Legal team enables our artist-first business to operate with confidence and integrity. Working in a relationship business, we partner across labels and corporate teams, on a UK and international basis, to provide clear, commercially focused employment advice and robust compliance frameworks that support creativity, performance and long-term growth.
As Vice President, Employment Legal and Compliance, you will be a senior leader at the heart of the business, shaping employment legal strategy and strengthening compliance frameworks across a dynamic creative organisation. Balancing pace and ambition with rigour and care, you will help enable confident decision-making while protecting our people, our values and our reputation.
Legal & Compliance – Universal Music Group UK and InternationalWe are Universal Music Group – the world\’s leading music-based entertainment company. We exist to shape culture through the power of artistry, helping UK and international artists produce, distribute, publish and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to inspire and entertain fans at home and around the world.
Our Legal & Compliance team is central to that mission, acting as strategic partners to our labels, artists and corporate teams, protecting creativity, enabling commercial ambition and ensuring we operate with integrity in a fast-moving global industry.
The function provides end-to-end legal expertise across the full music ecosystem, including artist and recording agreements, digital and brand partnerships, copyright and IP protection, corporate transactions, employment law, compliance and dispute resolution. Combining deep legal knowledge with commercial acumen, the team safeguards rights, manages risk and structures opportunity so that creativity can thrive responsibly and successfully at scale.
A day in the lifeThis is a visible, high-impact role operating across a dynamic creative organisation.
You Will
Advise executive and senior leaders, people business partners and Legal colleagues on complex and high-profile employment matters including day-to-day advisory work, restructures, investigations, senior exits, policy issues and organisational change.
Lead on the most sensitive and high-risk employment law issues, bringing sound judgement, strategic perspective and commercial pragmatism.
Oversee employment tribunal claims and other contentious matters, managing external counsel where required.
Guide disciplinary, grievance, redundancy and TUPE processes with clarity and fairness.
Review and shape employment policies in line with UK legislation, business priorities and inclusive best practice.
Monitor regulatory developments and strengthen employment compliance and governance frameworks.
Provide oversight and direction on day-to-day conflict of interest compliance processes.
Work across UK and international teams to deliver a seamless employment law and compliance service.
Translate legal complexity into practical, balanced advice that enables confident decision-making while protecting our people and our reputation.
Your impact
Provide strategic, risk-based employment law advice to senior stakeholders and people business partners.
Lead on high-risk and sensitive matters with sound judgement, credibility and integrity.
Strengthen employment compliance and governance across the UK business.
Support the development of fair, transparent and inclusive people practices.
Contribute to the wider Legal function and cross-functional initiatives.
Your expertise will help create a workplace that is legally robust, commercially confident and aligned to our values.
Who Will Thrive HereWe welcome applications from qualified solicitors or barristers in England and Wales with strong employment law experience, gained in private practice and/or in-house.
You Will Bring
Deep knowledge of UK employment law and some experience of international jurisdictions.
Experience advising senior stakeholders and people business partners on complex matters.
The ability to manage sensitive situations in a calm and professional manner.
Strong analytical skills, strategic perspective and sound commercial judgement.
The ability to communicate clearly and influence with credibility, driven by the development of strong relationships.
A collaborative approach and commitment to inclusive practice.
An understanding of working internationally across US, ME and Asia time zones.
You do not need prior music industry experience. If you are excited by the opportunity to apply your expertise in a creative, fast-moving environment, we encourage you to apply.
If you meet most of the criteria and believe you could add value in this role, we would love to hear from you.
Why Join UsAbout UMG UKWe are Universal Music Group UK, the UK\’s leading music-based entertainment company. We exist to shape culture through the power of artistry. We help UK artists produce, distribute, publish and promote critically acclaimed and commercially successful music that inspires and entertains audiences at home and around the world.
Rooted in the UK and connected globally, we are an artist-first business. Our people build varied, impactful careers that directly contribute to the future of music and culture.
Reward And Benefits At UMG UKOur UReward Offering IncludesFinancial
Group Income Protection
Life Assurance
Pension Scheme
Mortgage Advice Service
Health and Wellbeing
Private Medical Insurance
Annual Health Assessment
Calm App subscription
Digital Private GP scheme
Family Friendly
Equal Family Leave Policy
Elder Care Concierge Service
Family Leave Coaching
Partner and Carer\’s Network
Music, Tech and Perks
Apple Music annual subscription
Discounts and cashback rewards platform
Employee free products
Long Service Awards
This is a snapshot of our industry-leading benefits. Your Talent Acquisition Partner can share further details.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and BelongingThe best way to flourish in our ever-changing industry is to build teams that reflect the diversity of our artists, audiences and communities.
We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can belong, express themselves authentically and bring something unique to our shared passion for music. We value different perspectives and experiences, and we actively work to ensure that all colleagues feel seen, supported, respected and heard.
If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
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 CategoryUniversal Music Group
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VP Legal Employment & Compliance Counsel in London employer: Universal Music Group UK
Contact Detail:
Universal Music Group UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land VP Legal Employment & Compliance Counsel in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with professionals 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 the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills, and don’t forget to showcase your passion for the music industry.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Universal Music and are keen to be part of our vibrant community.
We think you need these skills to ace VP Legal Employment & Compliance Counsel in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show your passion for music and how your unique experiences can contribute to our team.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience in employment law and compliance. We love seeing how your skills align with our needs, so don’t just send a generic CV!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t hold back on sharing your successes! Whether it’s leading a complex project or navigating tricky legal waters, we want to know how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our amazing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Music Group UK
✨Know Your Employment Law Inside Out
As a VP Legal Employment & Compliance Counsel, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of UK employment law. Brush up on recent changes and be ready to discuss how these could impact Universal Music's operations. Show them you can translate complex legal jargon into practical advice.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
This role requires a strategic perspective, so prepare examples of how you've advised senior stakeholders on complex matters in the past. Think about times when your sound judgement and commercial pragmatism made a difference in high-risk situations.
✨Emphasise Your Collaborative Approach
Universal Music values teamwork and inclusivity. Be ready to share experiences where you've worked across teams or with diverse groups to achieve a common goal. Highlight your commitment to creating fair and transparent people practices.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle sensitive situations, such as disciplinary processes or employment tribunal claims. Prepare specific scenarios where you successfully navigated these challenges, showcasing your calm and professional manner.