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Contracts Manager (12m Maternity Cover)

Universal Music


Job Location:

London - UK

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 29 July 2026 (30+ days ago)
Application Deadline: 26 October 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Music is Universal

Its the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the worlds leading music company. From A&R to finance legal to digital sales to marketing Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.

Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender race disability sexual orientation religion belief age marital status background pregnancy or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism dyslexia ADHD and other forms of neurocognitive variation.

We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment workplaces and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition please email

The A Side: A Day in The Life

The Contracts Manageris responsible formanaging legal and contractual matters across all UMPG companies and repertoire. The role also provides contract management administrative andgeneral supportto the Legal and Business Affairs department.

The B Side: Skills & Experience

BeOrganised

  • Maintaining the department Options Diaries the Advances schedule and other contract management documentation and systems.
  • Preparing andmaintainingthe RADAR(contract tracking)documents (includingUMPGTop EarnersUMPGMain Radar &Universal Production Music Radar)
  • Monitoringtrackingand communicating contractual fulfilments including all matters related to product releases.
  • Dealing with all matters relating to the take up of options dealextensionsand expiries.
  • Drafting and issuing side letters and contractual amendmentsand liaising / negotiating with external third parties re the same.
  • Leading the Option meeting process including preparing for and attending Options meetings and dealing with action pointsidentifiedin options meetings.
  • Preparing for and attending the UK Administration meetings including royalty close meetings and quarterly royalty payment reviews.
  • Reviewing contracts in response to internal and external requests
  • Informing Licensing Department of required contractual clearances and consents.
  • Dealing with reduced / gratis rate mechanical licensing requests.
  • Conducting due diligence for acquisition deals.

Be Knowledgeable

  • Dealing with general contract and admin queries (phone email etc).
  • Answering contractual queries from internal departments and third parties in relation to all UMPG executed agreements and licences.
  • Instructing and/orassistingthe UK and International Copyright and Admin team on reversion protection of copyright and duplicate copyright claims in respect of UMPG UK catalogue worldwide.

Be Collaborative

  • Managing relationships with UMPG stakeholders (internally and externally) andthird partylicensees.
  • Working with the Business Affairs Assistant and providing cover as.
  • Other ad-hoc duties that may arise.

Personal Specification

Necessary

  • Educated to degree standard (or equivalent)
  • Experience in dealing with commercial contracts
  • Experience in dealing with and an understanding of intellectual property
  • Confident in liaising with/presenting to senior management
  • Excellent written skills and knowledge of grammar
  • Previousexperience of high-volume administrative duties in ahigh pressuredoffice environment
  • Ability to prioritise workload independently and make decisions quickly
  • High levelof attention to detailwhilst handlingcommercialexpectations and knowing how to prioritise
  • Professional telephone manner
  • Abilityto deal with queries effectivelyand efficiently
  • Time management skills and personal organisation
  • Determination to seetasks through to completion
  • Good understanding of office IT (Word Outlook Excel)
  • Personality/character - Team player; highly organised; methodical; initiative /self motivated; professional; flexible ability to work calmly under pressure

Desirable

  • Previousexperience of drafting legal documentation
  • Ability to make analytical commercial decisions on deals
  • Experience working in a copyright/royalties/synch/licensing department
  • Business Affairs / legal experience
  • Media / Music industry experience
  • An interest in music
  • Ability to introduce & develop new methods of working

Bonus Tracks: Your Benefits

  • Group Personal Pension Scheme (between 3% and 9%)
  • Private Medical Insurance
  • 25 paid days of annual leave
  • InterestFree Season Ticket Loan
  • Holiday Purchase scheme
  • Dental and Travel Insurance options
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Salary Sacrifice Cars
  • Subsidised Gym Membership
  • Employee Discounts (Reward Gateway)

Just So You Know

The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholders specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent definitive and exhaustive statement.


Job Category:
Business & Legal Affairs

Required Experience:

Manager