Director, Legal Employment and Compliance Counsel

Universal Music; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A leading music company is seeking a Director of Employment and Compliance Counsel in Greater London. This role involves providing trusted legal advice on employment issues, drafting critical documentation, and managing employment-related disputes. The ideal candidate has strong commercial awareness and experience in a multinational environment, detailed in handling complex employment matters. Competitive compensation, generous leave, and private healthcare are part of the benefits offered. This position supports hybrid work arrangements, allowing four days in the office.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Generous leave

Private healthcare

Pension contributions

Employee assistance programme

Discounts on merchandise

Qualifications

• 4-5 years post-qualification experience in employment law.
• Experience from a multinational law firm or in-house.
• Proven track record handling executive agreements and litigation.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice on employment issues.
• Draft and negotiate contracts.
• Support redundancy and TUPE processes.

Skills

Qualified employment lawyer

Excellent communication skills

Strong drafting skills

Commercial awareness

Negotiating skills

Ability to manage stakeholder relationships

Education

Law degree

Job description

Music is Universal

Its the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the worlds 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

About Us

Universal Music Group (UMG) is the worlds leading music company committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. Our extensive catalogue encompasses the most renowned artists globally and we proudly foster a creative environment that values diversity, inclusion and excellence. At UMG we believe that our people are the heart of our business and we strive to nurture a dynamic and inclusive workplace culture.

A Day in the Life

As Director Employment and Compliance Counsel your days will be diverse and engaging. You will provide trusted legal advice on various employment issues, collaborate closely with the People Inclusion & Culture (PIC) department and senior management navigating both UK‑specific and international employment law considerations. You will draft critical documentation, manage employment‑related disputes, oversee consultancy agreements, advise on complex projects involving mergers and acquisitions and lead strategic employment initiatives.

Typical activities include:

• Drafting and negotiating executive contracts, bonus schemes, consultancy and settlement agreements.
• Advising daily on employment‑related issues arising across the business, supporting the People Inclusion and Culture team on operations, business partnering, learning and talent issues.
• Conducting and drafting preliminary employment litigation matters. Coordinating and overseeing employment litigation with external counsel when necessary.
• Providing employment law guidance for global corporate transactions such as acquisitions, mergers and divestments.
• Supporting redundancy and TUPE processes including consultations and related documentation.

Drafting reviewing and updating company employment policies.

• Advising and supporting internal investigations and managing conflict of interest disclosures.
• Proactively developing and delivering legal employment training.
• Developing and delivering effective employment compliance training.
• Assisting with European Works Council meetings preparation.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a confident, collaborative and highly organised professional with strong commercial awareness. You have a pragmatic business‑oriented approach, excellent communication skills and the capability to foster productive relationships across multiple departments and stakeholders. With an adaptable proactive mindset you thrive in a fast‑paced global matrix environment and demonstrate professionalism and integrity in every interaction.

Your Impact as Director Employment and Compliance Counsel

As our Director Employment and Compliance Counsel you will significantly shape our employment practices influencing both strategic decisions and daily operations. Your expertise will ensure compliance and manage risk effectively while your guidance will empower our leadership to handle complex employment matters confidently and sensitively. Ultimately your role will be pivotal in nurturing a fair, compliant and innovative workplace culture across UMG’s UK and international operations.

Skills and Experience Required

• Qualified employment lawyer with at least 4‑5 years post‑qualification experience in employment law.
• Proven track record advising on UK and international employment matters ideally from a multinational law firm or in‑house environment, ideally in a media, music or broader entertainment environment.
• Demonstrable experience handling executive agreements, litigation, complex workplace investigations, redundancy processes and TUPE transfers.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills with extensive experience developing employment contracts, settlement agreements and related documentation.
• Familiarity with corporate transactions (M&A) providing employment‑related due diligence documentation, consultation and integration planning.
• Experience developing employment policies, compliance frameworks and providing effective training to diverse stakeholder groups.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused advice and effectively manage stakeholder relationships.

Why Join UMG

When you join Universal Music Group you become part of a vibrant creative and culturally diverse environment at the forefront of the music industry. We offer rewarding careers, opportunities for personal and professional growth and a workplace where your contributions make a tangible impact. At UMG you’ll collaborate with talented colleagues, drive meaningful change and help shape the future of music and entertainment.

Your Reward and Benefits

At UMG we recognise and reward your contributions through competitive compensation and extensive benefits including:

• Competitive salary reflective of your experience and contribution.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Private healthcare and wellness initiatives.
• Pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Employee assistance programme and mental health resources.
• Discounts on music merchandise, events and products.

Comprehensive training and career development opportunities

A dynamic and inclusive workplace culture focused on professional growth and well‑being.

Hybrid working 4 days per week in the London office.

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.