Overview
Legal & Business Affairs Manager – Labels – London, N1C 4AG, United Kingdom
About Us – Legal & Business Affairs
Behind every chart-topping record, unforgettable live performance, and groundbreaking campaign is a team ensuring the business of music runs just as smoothly as the creativity. That’s where our Legal & Business Affairs department comes in.
The Label Legal Team sits at the heart of Universal Music UK, partnering with iconic labels including Polydor Label Group, Island EMI Label Group, and Decca Records. We provide critical legal and commercial support across the full lifecycle of our artists’ journeys — from signing the next big breakthrough act to delivering complex campaigns that connect music with audiences in powerful ways.
This isn’t just a legal role — it’s an opportunity to be embedded in the very fabric of the music business, helping shape deals, safeguard rights, and empower creativity to flourish.
The Role
We’re looking for a talented Solicitor to join our Label Legal Team. Working closely with colleagues across Universal Music UK, you’ll handle a wide spectrum of legal matters, providing both commercial guidance and creative solutions.
One day you might be negotiating contracts with artists, producers, or remixers. The next, you could be advising on a high-profile marketing campaign, managing rights clearance for samples, or overseeing consumer competitions. You’ll also play a pivotal role in supporting litigation matters, deal approvals, and rights management systems — making sure our business runs with precision, transparency, and creativity at its core.
This is a role where no two days are alike. It’s fast-paced, dynamic, and sits right at the crossroads of law, business, and music culture.
Key Responsibilities
Drafting, negotiating, and advising on agreements for:
• Artists and featured artists
• Producers, remixers, and mixers
• Video production and creative content
• Competitions and promotional campaigns
• Sample clearances
• Tour support arrangements
Overseeing and administering:
• Deal approvals and option diaries
• Rights management systems and processes
• Litigation and dispute matters
What We’re Looking For
• Qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
• At least 2 years’ experience working in music or media law (in-house or private practice)
• A natural collaborator who thrives in a team environment but is also confident working independently
• Organised, adaptable, and proactive with excellent attention to detail
• A genuine passion for music and the wider creative industries
Why Join Us?
• Be at the heart of music culture – work directly with some of the UK’s most iconic and exciting labels.
• Shape the business of creativity – every contract, every deal, and every piece of advice helps bring music to life.
• Dynamic and varied work – no two projects are ever the same in an industry that is constantly reinventing itself.
• Collaborative and energetic team – join a group of forward-thinking professionals who combine deep expertise with a love for music.
• Growth and development – gain exposure to the full spectrum of legal and business affairs in a global creative powerhouse.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
