Employment Counsel

Sony Music Publishing; New York (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401K match

Flexible time off

Job summary

Sony Music Publishing, the #1 global music publisher, seeks an Employment Counsel to serve as the senior legal authority on employment and labor matters across jurisdictions. You will provide strategic counsel to executive leadership and partner with People Experience to ensure compliant, values-aligned workforce practices.

The role requires a JD with US bar admission, 10+ years in employment law (in-house or top firms), and strong cross-border expertise.

Qualifications

• JD with active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum 10 years of employment law experience, including senior in-house or top-law-firm work.
• Experience advising executives with commercial acumen.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. employment law and international labor frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Serve as trusted advisor to executive leadership on global employment law strategy.
• Lead and oversee employment-related matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with People Experience, Compliance, and Communications on policy and crisis response.
• Manage employment litigation and investigations, including outside counsel oversight.

Skills

JD/US Bar

Employment law

Executive counsel

Litigation experience

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

At Sony Music Publishing (“SMP”), we believe every voice matters. We are the #1 global music publisher, advancing the artistry of the world’s greatest songwriters and composers for over 25 years. We keep songwriters at the forefront of everything we do, and design our suite of services to amplify opportunities, build connections, and defend their rights. Our roster benefits from an international team committed to providing support at every career stage. From classic catalogues to contemporary hitmakers, history is always being written. We are a part of the Sony family of global companies. Learn more about SMP at https://www.sonymusicpub.com/en.

Why join Sony Music Group?

Here at Sony Music Group, we are shaping what’s next in a way that creates impact. Forging powerful new ideas at the heart of music, technology, and culture that entertain and move people.

This is your opportunity. Part of a global community, united by individual passion, rising to that challenge every day. Adapting at pace and supporting one another, inspired to influence the future. For the benefit of you, our people; our creators, our business, and wider society too.

Be a part of an organization that is creator first. Committed to fueling excellence and always imagining more, while fostering a supportive culture, one where we elevate each other and act responsibly.

Job Purpose:

SMP’s Employment Counsel serves as the senior legal authority on employment and labor matters across all jurisdictions in which Sony Music Publishing operates. This role provides strategic counsel to executive leadership, partners closely with People Experience leadership, and ensures a consistent, compliant, and values‑aligned approach to workforce matters worldwide.

What You’ll Do: (job responsibilities)

• Serve as a trusted advisor to executive leadership and the People Experience team on global employment law strategy and risk management.
• Lead and oversee all employment‑related legal matters across multiple jurisdictions.
• Partner with People Experience, Compliance, and Corporate Communications on workforce strategy, policy development, crisis response, and change management.
• Manage employment litigation, investigations, and disputes, including the oversight of outside counsel.
• Design, implement, and maintain global employment policies that balance legal compliance with business and cultural priorities.
• Advise employment agreements, executive compensation, benefits, terminations, restructurings, and M&A‑related employment matters.
• Monitor and interpret global legislative and regulatory developments impacting the workforce.
• Deliver training and education to leaders and employees to raise awareness, strengthen capability, and mitigate risk.

Who You Are: (skills and experience required)

• Aligned with Sony Music Publishing’s Global People Promise, Values, and Leadership Behaviors.
• Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school with active bar membership in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
• Minimum of 10 years of employment law experience, including senior in‑house and/or top‑tier law firm experience.
• Litigation experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience advising executive‑level stakeholders with sound judgment and commercial perspective.
• Deep expertise in U.S. employment law with strong familiarity across international labor frameworks.
• Proven ability to educate and train the workforce on complex legal topics.
• Spanish language proficiency preferred.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States
• 7.5-hour business workday but variations in work volume frequently require extended working hours for evening and late-night events

What We Give You:

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork
• An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching
• Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition and student loans
• We invest in your professional growth & development
• Flexible Time Off and time off for a winter recess

DISCLAIMER:

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is $180,000-$250,000. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

DISCLAIMER:

The anticipated annual base salary for this position is: $0.00-$0.00. This range does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for. The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.

Honesty, trustworthiness and ethical conduct are material requirements for the responsibilities outlined above.

Sony is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy), gender, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, military status, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or family status, genetic information, medical condition, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

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