Director, Music Business Affairs (Disney Entertainment Television)

The Music Business and Legal Affairs department of Disney Entertainment Television is seeking an exceptional music attorney candidate as Director, Music Business Affairs-Legal Counsel for Disney’s international business units including television, Disney+, Parks and Resorts, Disney Consumer Products and digital distribution of Disney productions. The ideal candidate must have demonstrated expertise in international music business and legal affairs across various lines of business, excellent negotiating, drafting and analytical skills, and must be able to make quick decisions, understand both the business affairs and legal affairs perspectives in evaluating a particular course of action, and work comfortably and efficiently in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, negotiating and administering music agreements including composer agreements, music supervisor agreements, songwriter agreements, producer agreements, master use licenses, synchronization licenses, mechanical licenses, name and likeness releases, artist releases, record company and music publishing waivers, and music library agreements.
• Negotiating agreements to ensure terms and conditions comply with company policies, establishing mutually approved boilerplates with licensors.
• Advising on rights and uses of musical content in productions across various lines of business, marketing and promotions, publicity, and other ancillary uses.
• Advising on copyright and intellectual property issues involving music and negotiating with copyright owners on various music issues.
• Knowledge of and experience with music publishers, record labels, collecting rights societies.
• Conducting legal research and analyzing and summarizing agreements with respect to the grant of rights, permitted exploitations, financial obligations and other material terms.
• Reviewing and analyzing audio and audio-visual content with respect to clearance issues.
• Drafting, updating and maintaining form agreements.
• Expert understanding of business and legal concepts concerning music in connection with various business segments, and the ability to proactively and efficiently manage multiple projects and business partners at the same time.

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years experience as a Music Attorney at a network, television studio, film studio or equivalent experience at a law firm.
• Excellent contract drafting skills.
• Ability to independently negotiate, review and draft music agreements from inception to completion in a timely and accurate manner.
• Superior drafting, analytical and writing skills including a keen attention to detail and nuance.
• Excellent research and review skills including the ability to identify and present issues succinctly and accurately.
• Excellent organizational skills including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects concurrently while adhering to multiple deadlines.
• Must thrive in working in a team environment and in collaborating with others.
• Ability to appropriately work with highly confidential materials and information.
• Ability to accept instructions and follow through.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Strong business and financial acumen.
• In good standing with the California State Bar

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of five (5) years experience in drafting, reviewing, negotiating and administering international music agreements and music clearances for various types of productions.
• Prior music related international production/distribution/collecting rights society related experience strongly preferred.
• Established relationships with record companies, music publishers, managers, and agents.

Required Education

• Juris Doctor Degree

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, CA is $113,600 to $152,400 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

About Disney Entertainment Television:

Disney Entertainment Television is a collection of renowned content brands at The Walt Disney Company creating original entertainment and news programming for the company’s streaming platforms Disney+, Hulu and Star, and its broadcast and cable networks. Its extensive portfolio is comprised of ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Branded Television, Freeform, FX, Hulu Originals, National Geographic Content and Onyx Collective, in addition to Disney Television Studios, which include 20th Television, 20th Television Animation, ABC Signature and Walt Disney Television Alternative. Responsible for over 4,500 hours of programming a year across more than 300 programs of all genres, Disney Entertainment Television’s creative brands are at the forefront of groundbreaking storytelling, captivating audiences and generating critical acclaim. In 2023, Disney Entertainment Television’s programming excellence earned 163 Emmy® nominations across daytime, primetime, news & documentary, and children’s & family categories.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. , which is part of a business we call Disney Entertainment Television .

American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

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