VP of Legal, UnitedMasters
$220-250k
4+ days a week in office (Brooklyn, New York)
Digital music distribution
Be an early applicant
Digital music distribution
501-1000 employees
Be an early applicant
$220-250k
4+ days a week in office (Brooklyn, New York)
501-1000 employees
Company mission
To enable artists to maximize their creative and economic potential by giving them all the tools and support they need to directly connect with their fans.
Role
Who you are
- Background in IP, media, technology, music and/or entertainment law, with strong commercial instincts
- Proven ability to operate at a strategic level, advising executives and influencing business outcomes while maintaining strong relationships internally and externally
- Experience managing or leading legal teams and partnering with outside counsel
- Deep understanding of commercial deal structures, rights frameworks, and global business operations
- Strong judgment, with the ability to balance legal risk against business objectives
- Effective communicator, excellent writer, and outward leader who can translate complex legal concepts into clear, actionable guidance
- Comfortable operating cross-functionally with product, finance, HR, marketing, and business teams
- Proficiency with AI-powered legal tools and workflows (e.g., contract review/analysis, legal research, and document automation), with the ability to leverage emerging technologies to improve legal efficiency, scalability, and decision-making
- J.D. from an accredited law school, admitted and in good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction, preferably NY
- 8 to 15 years of experience, with a mix of reputable entertainment law firm and in-house experience
What the job involves
- We are looking for a VP, Legal to join UnitedMasters
- This role is for a strategic, business-minded legal leader who thrives at the intersection of music, technology, and advertising
- In this role, you’ll serve as a key partner to executive leadership, advising on risk, commercial transactions, corporate strategy, and high-impact partnerships across UnitedMasters LLC and Translation LLC
- You’ll play a critical role in shaping the company’s legal and business direction while leading and developing the legal team
- This is an opportunity for someone who can think big, move decisively, and help guide the company through its next phase of growth
- This role is based in Brooklyn, New York with four days in-office and one day remote
- Partner directly with the C-suite and senior leadership to provide strategic legal guidance and risk analysis on key initiatives and company direction
- Structure and advise on complex commercial arrangements, including distribution, licensing, partnerships, and strategic transactions
- Serve as a senior legal advisor across the full enterprise, including music distribution, product and technology, international expansion, sync and licensing, corporate strategy, business development, advertising, and supporting shared services (HR, Finance, IT)
- Manage the internal legal team, setting priorities, allocating resources, and elevating overall legal function performance
- Partner and coordinate with outside counsel, ensuring efficient execution, cost management, and alignment with company objectives
- Lead development and implementation of scalable legal frameworks, policies, and best practices across the organization
- Guide product, technology, and international teams on launches, expansion, and regulatory considerations
- Oversee and manage enforcing rights, dispute resolution strategy, including pre-litigation, litigation, and settlement approach
- Ensure the company operates with a practical, business-forward legal posture that enables growth rather than restricts it
Our take
Music distribution services provide ways for musical artists to release their music in both digital and physical formats. However, musicians usually don't retain the often lucrative rights to audio masters and audience insights, and merchandising and concert tickets must be organised elsewhere.
UnitedMasters is a music distribution service that acts as a direct pipeline for musicians and their commercial efforts. The service allows users to retain the rights to audio masters and audience data, in addition to providing a platform for the sale of merchandise and concert tickets. The platform’s aim is to give artists full control over the monetization of their music based on a regular subscription cost.
UnitedMasters has attracted significant backing from heavyweights like Apple, a16z, and Alphabet, while securing partnerships with platforms like Bose, TikTok, and Twitch. More than just validation, these relationships expand how artists can be discovered, promoted and monetized at scale - opening doors to major commercial and record deal opportunities that go well beyond the reach of traditional distribution platforms.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Insights
13% employee growth in 12 months
Company
Funding (last 2 of 4 rounds)
Oct 2021
$50m
SERIES C
Mar 2021
$50m
SERIES B
Total funding: $240m
Company benefits
- Health & Well-being: Our health plans provide comprehensive coverage for you and your family. We offer robust medical, dental and vision benefits, with the option to enroll in FSA and HSA to save for the care you need. Plus, you can get free fitness classes through insurance, and healthy snacks at our offices
- Emotional & Mental Well-being: Focus on mental health and well-being has become more important than ever. We offer a spectrum of support for your mental well-being; from Headspace mindfulness and meditation, to free therapy and psychiatry at Talkspace
- Financial Well-being: Every full-time employee is eligible to take part in our 401(k) with company match, and competitive compensation
- Flexibility & Time Off: We believe that flexible time off allows our team members the freedom to balance the responsibilities of both their work and home lives. We also have 15 paid holidays and a paid company winter break. We offer generous paid leave and support for expecting parents and growing families
- Discounts & Perks: We want you to feel your best, both professionally and personally. We’re proud to offer inspiring office spaces with engaging events, commuter benefits, and discounts on the services you want and need
Company HQ
Dumbo, NY
Leadership
Steve Stoute
(Founder & CEO)They are also the founder and CEO of Translation. Previously Steve was the President of Urban Music at Sony, and before that he was an Executive VP with Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
Salary benchmarks
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