Legal Counsel in Sydney

We are Universal Music Australia (UMA), part of the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audio-visual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.

Based in our Sydney Head Office, this in-house legal counsel position supports all divisions of Universal Music Australia and Universal Music Publishing Group across Australia and New Zealand. In this role, you’ll help bring deals to life through negotiation, drafting and practical legal advice, while contributing to general commercial matters and projects across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• A&R: Support the Publishing A&R team with their writer negotiations and contract process including drafting various agreements such as songwriter agreements, admin agreements and publishing joint venture agreements. Confirm that the appropriate approvals are in place.
• Admin: Support the Publishing Admin team with review and advice on various contractual questions, term extensions and other amendments, including advising on the position of historical contracts.
• General Contract Drafting: Review competition Terms and Conditions. Draft live performance releases and artist waivers. Assist with the negotiation and drafting of various agreements; including general intellectual property agreements, merchandising agreements, NDAs, privacy policies, various extension and amendment letters.
• Business Advice: Day to day commercial, intellectual property, and general legal advice to all departments. Liaise with Universal’s international offices (including head office in the US) in relation to deal approvals, project work, global agreements and licensing issues.
• Other Responsibilities: Provide legal advice and assistance across allocated projects. Work within the team to ensure that the Universal Global Rights System is up to date. Undertake legal research as required and provide preliminary legal advice to SVP, Legal and Business Affairs and Universal staff.

About You

• 2–4 years’ experience in private practice or as corporate counsel, ideally within music, media or related industries.
• Tertiary qualifications in Law.
• Experience in commercial intellectual property, media or general commercial law, with strong drafting, negotiation and commercial contract management skills.
• A practical approach to advice, offering legally sound options that support business goals and help teams get deals done.
• Clear written and verbal communication, with the ability to build relationships across departments and at all levels.
• Strong organisation and time management skills, confidently prioritising a busy workload and meeting deadlines.
• Initiative, adaptability and a practical approach to supporting the company’s vision and goals.

About Us

• Career opportunities – unique and rare opportunity to elevate your career in a supportive, motivated and ambitious team.
• The opportunity to join the world’s leading music company.
• All the perks of working within the music industry.
• X 2 ‘U-Days’ per calendar year to spend however you like!
• Strengths based learning and development opportunities.
• Much more…!

Our Culture

We’re an entrepreneurial, global organisation where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren’t just values; they’re how we work every day. Collaboration sits at our core, and we draw strength from diverse perspectives and meaningful relationships, knowing that what we achieve together is greater than what we can do alone. We encourage everyone to show up as their true self, bringing something real to the work we do. We also approach every challenge with curiosity and imagination, always asking “what if?” and finding new, unexpected ways forward. If that sounds like you, you’ll fit right in.

Diversity and Inclusion

At Universal Music we are committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity as an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply for our roles regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, intersex status, marital or family status, neurodiversity, religion or belief, disabilities, or socio-economic background. We also encourage people from all cultural backgrounds to apply, including First Nations people. It is through our diversity and inclusivity that we bring together different perspectives, enhancing our creative and evolving workplace. Music is Universal.