Legal Counsel – Commercial & Entertainment Law

About the role

Join Sony Music Middle East as a Legal Counsel and play a pivotal role in navigating complex commercial, licensing, and intellectual property matters within the fast‑changing music and entertainment landscape. You will work closely with internal stakeholders to ensure legal compliance and support a wide range of business initiatives.

Key responsibilities

• Negotiate, draft, and review commercial agreements, including third‑party relationships, license‑in/out deals, distribution agreements, and artist contracts.
• Provide legal guidance during local artist signings and other contractual negotiations.
• Lead deal‑making strategies for digital initiatives, concerts, live events, endorsements, and sponsorships.
• Develop and maintain standard form agreements and contractual provisions aligned with evolving business models and regulatory changes.
• Oversee internal contract databases and systems for managing artist rights and obligations.
• Support corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, and related transactional documentation.
• Advise on corporate compliance frameworks, policy implementation, statutory filings, and reporting.
• Supervise litigation matters, including managing external counsel.
• Provide independent, commercially‑savvy legal counsel with minimal supervision.

Required profile

• 8‑10 years post‑qualification experience in law firms handling commercial, corporate, IP, or M&A matters, with deep knowledge of UAE commercial law.
• Proven track record in independent contract negotiation, deal closure, litigation management, and advising senior leadership on legal and commercial risks.
• Experience in media, entertainment, digital, technology, or consumer‑facing industries is preferred.
• Hands‑on experience maintaining local legal systems, processes, and compliance.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

Required skills

What we offer

• Access to a vibrant global community and modern office environment.
• Investment in professional growth and development.
• Opportunities to contribute to social impact, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.