Senior Manager, Clearance & Licensing

JOB SUMMARY

Working alongside AWAL's synch team and business affairs team, this role will be responsible for handling master synchronization quotes and licenses globally for all media (including TV, Film, Ads, Trailers, Video Games, Apps, Internet, etc), global live performance agreements, compilation agreements and live session agreements; additionally, will provide support to the brand partnerships team with assistance on brand partnership agreements. The position will manage relationships with clearance contacts, process incoming synch & compilation requests in a timely manner, obtain necessary internal & artist approvals, issue quotes, draft licenses and clearance agreements and track all deals through to completion. 

 BACKGROUND

AWAL has revolutionized the recording business by putting the creator at the centre of everything we do and transforming the way artists release music. Whether an artist is looking for the best digital distribution or a comprehensive global campaign, AWAL has become the partner of choice for innovative artists at all stages of their careers. This has created a high-quality path for artists to achieve success while maintaining ownership of their masters. The leading artists who have already chosen AWAL include JVKE, Jungle, Dayglow, Little Simz, Gus Dapperton, Lizzy McAlpine.

AWAL is currently over 150 people based across 10 offices and we’re continuing to grow. That’s where you come in. If you feel like the fast-paced, rewarding environment of our rapidly growing company is for you – share your story! Apply today and tell us why you are the best addition to our successful team

WHAT WOULD YOU DO IN A SENIOR MANAGER, CLEARANCE & LICENSING ROLE?

• Manage a roster of 15-25 priority artist clients through the early stages of their career helping them to establish and grow their audience.
• Facilitate the clearance & licensing process from beginning to end, including but not limited to obtaining artist approvals, issuing quotes, issuing licenses, reviewing, amending and drafting agreements, and ensuring timely payment received
• Maintain strong relationships with and effectively communicate with AWAL artists and artist teams to obtain approval for license requests
• Maintain strong relationships with and effectively collaborate with internal AWAL teams including Synch & Brand Partnerships, Business Affairs, International Marketing, Marketing, Royalties, Client Admin and the Senior Management Team
• Maintain strong relationships with and effectively communicate with external partners: Music supervisors and synch clearance contacts, content partners, broadcast partners, etc.
• Manage and maintain the synch department’s internal deal tracker- input new deals, update deals with status changes, keep track of outstanding payments, etc.
• Facilitate, negotiate and issue clearance waivers including but not limited to live performances and broadcasts  
• Process high volumes of music clearances and client requests in a timely manner
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of synch fee ranges across applicable media types
• Support the Business Affairs team by reviewing new media and exploitation licensing requests and implementing precedent positions
• Develop a strong working knowledge of AWAL’s internal rights management system and database and work with the broader team to innovate and improve our deal tracking systems
• Keep up with changing trends, terms and strategies used by licensing parties and production companies to clear and license music

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• 3 years’ experience working closely with artists and managers.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in music clearance and licensing, preferably at a label or publisher
• Must have a comprehensive understanding of licensing language, standard terms and fees, and drafting paperwork
• Must have the ability to review and amend documents (as per precedents and also bespoke review and drafting)
• Highly proficient draftsperson
• Must have a passion for music and be a team player!
• Highly organized, detailed oriented and have a strong ability to multi-task
• Must possess excellent organization, written and oral communication skills
• Must have strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and Google suite
• Must have very strong artist & client relations skills

About AWAL

AWAL is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law. 

Our Hybrid with Flexibility approach combines the flexibility of remote working with the benefits of in-person collaboration whenever we need to come together to do our best work. Managers will partner with their teams and employees to establish work arrangements that meet the business, team, and individual needs.

The Orchard is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This position requires that the job candidate be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that an applicant will be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna), or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine). The Company will consider requests for reasonable accommodations for documented medical reasons and for sincerely held religious beliefs in accordance with applicable law. Please do not include proof of vaccine status or any indication of a possible request for an accommodation when submitting your application materials. If applicable, the Company will follow up with you directly to request proof of vaccination and to discuss any potential accommodations.