Call for applications: Sony Music Entertainment Africa head of legal

Under the guidance of and in conjunction with the director legal and business development, the successful candidate will manage the legal department to deliver on contractual and legal matters, including legal matters pertaining to digital business and new business partners, providing legal counsel to the company and overseeing the contracting of third party licensing and synchronisation rights.

The successful candidate will:

• Use expert market, industry and legal expertise to deal with all contractual matters relating to artists currently and formerly and, where appropriate, not yet signed to all of Sony Music Entertainment Africa’s legal entities and all other legal and contractual matters as required, including but not limited to drafting of agreements, acquisitions, renegotiations and amendments, as well any other legal paperwork.
• Represent SMEA at senior level in meetings across the business and industry and where required represent the company on industry body committees and sub-committees in the region.
• Work with artist managers and lawyers to address matters pertaining to drafting of agreements, renegotiations, amendments, and any other legal paperwork.
• Act as the legislative counsel for the company in policy formulation, interpretation and development, as well as risk management and legal compliance with relevant regulations.
• Provide counsel to SMEA leaders and managers regarding progress on legal issues and resolutions to finalise deal terms and all legal and contractual issues.  Advising on legal matters including complex trademark issues, disputes and litigation, instructing and liaising with outside counsel and international legal contacts.
• In conjunction with and under the supervision of the director, support the expanding digital and full rights management business contributing to commercial negotiations from a legal perspective and liaising with international legal and business development contacts for the negotiation of agreements and the onboarding of new partners.
• Manage Sony’s legal and rights administration processes and systems including those pertaining to synchronisation and product registration ensuring the correct and timely registration of all legal information required. Manage the administrative processes in support of issuing commercial licences to clients including quotations and contracts.
• Junior hires within the department will report to the head of legal.
• Advise the business on all relevant legal issues.

Requirements

• Good knowledge of intellectual property law as relates to the music industry.
• Full current legal qualification.
• Relevant experience gained in private practice (entertainment, media law).
• Negotiation and drafting of agreements for IP rights.
• Able to exercise good commercial and legal judgment.
• Must be capable of demonstrating initiative, creativity and pragmatism when solving problems.
• A strong communicator and comfortable dealing regularly with contacts at all levels both inside and outside of Sony Music, and on a local and international basis.

The successful candidate will benefit from the following:

• Join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where they have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey.
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity and teamwork.
• Sony will invest in their professional growth and development.

Interested candidates can apply and view the original call here.