Legal Counsel

Universal Music Australia Pty Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Music Australia Pty Limited is seeking a legal counsel with 2–4 years’ private practice or corporate experience, ideally in music or media. You will draft contracts, negotiate terms, and provide commercial, IP and general legal advice across departments, liaising with international offices as needed.

Strong drafting, communication and relationship-building skills are essential, with a practical approach aligned to business goals and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2–4 years’ experience in private practice or as corporate counsel, ideally within music, media or related industries.
• Tertiary qualifications in Law.
• Experience in commercial intellectual property, media or general commercial law, with strong drafting, negotiation and commercial contract management skills.
• A practical approach to advice, offering legally sound options that support business goals and help teams get deals done.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to build relationships across departments and at all levels.

Responsibilities

• A&R: Support the Publishing A&R team with writer negotiations and contract process including drafting songwriter, admin and publishing joint venture agreements, and confirming approvals.
• Admin: Support the Publishing Admin team with review and advice on contractual questions, term extensions and amendments, including advising on historical contracts.
• General Contract Drafting: Review Terms and Conditions; draft live performance releases and artist waivers; assist with drafting of various agreements including IP, merchandising, NDAs, privacy policies, extensions and amendments.
• Business Advice: Provide day-to-day commercial, intellectual property, and general legal advice; liaise with Universal’s international offices on deal approvals, project work and licensing.
• Other Responsibilities: Provide legal advice across projects; ensure Global Rights System is up to date; undertake legal research and provide preliminary advice to SVP, Legal and Business Affairs.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Negotiation

Commercial law

Intellectual property

Communication

Education

Law degree

Job description

We are Universal Music Australia (UMA), part of the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audio-visual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

Key Responsibilities

• A&R: Support the Publishing A&R team with their writer negotiations and contract process including drafting various agreements such as songwriter agreements, admin agreements and publishing joint venture agreements. As well as confirming that the appropriate approvals are in place.
• Admin: Support the Publishing Admin team with review and advice on various contractual questions, term extensions and other amendments, including advising on the position of historical contracts.
• General Contract Drafting: Review competition Terms and Conditions. Draft live performance releases and artist waivers. Assist with the negotiation and drafting of various agreements; including general intellectual property agreements, merchandising agreements, NDAs, privacy policies, various extension and amendment letters.
• Business Advice: Day to day commercial, intellectual property, and general legal advice to all departments. Liaise with Universal’s international offices (including head office in the US) in relation to deal approvals, project work, global agreements and licensing issues.
• Other Responsibilities: Provide legal advice and assistance across allocated projects. Work within the team to ensure that the Universal Global Rights System is up to date. Undertake legal research as required and provide preliminary legal advice to SVP, Legal and Business Affairs and Universal staff.

About You

2–4 years’ experience in private practice or as corporate counsel, ideally within music, media or related industries. Tertiary qualifications in Law. Experience in commercial intellectual property, media or general commercial law, with strong drafting, negotiation and commercial contract management skills. A practical approach to advice, offering legally sound options that support business goals and help teams get deals done. Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to build relationships across departments and at all levels. Strong organisation and time management skills, confidently prioritising a busy workload and meeting deadlines. Initiative, adaptability and a practical approach to supporting the company’s vision and goals.

About Us

Career opportunities – unique and rare opportunity to elevate your career in a supportive, motivated and ambitious team The opportunity to join the WORLDS leading music company All the perks of working within the music industry (did someone say live music?) X 2 ‘U-Days’ per calendar year to spend however you like! Strengths based learning and development opportunities Much more….!

Our Culture

We’re an entrepreneurial, global organisation where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values; they’re how we work every day. Collaboration sits at our core, and we draw strength from diverse perspectives and meaningful relationships, knowing that what we achieve together is greater than what we can do alone. We encourage everyone to show up as their true self, bringing something real to the work we do. We also approach every challenge with curiosity and imagination, always asking “what if?” and finding new, unexpected ways forward. If that sounds like you, you’ll fit right in. You can learn more about our values and what we stand for here.

Disclaimer

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Universal Music we are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity as an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our roles regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or family status, neurodiversity, religion or belief, disabilities, or socio-economic background. We also encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including First Nations people. It is through our diversity and inclusivity that we bring together different perspectives, enhancing our creative and evolving workplace. Music is Universal.

Job Category: Business & Legal Affairs

We are Universal Music Group, the world’s leading music company. We are the home for music’s greatest artists, innovators and entrepreneurs.