Manager, Music Rights Job at NBCUniversal in New York

Job Description

The NBCUniversal Music Business & Legal Affairs team oversees music matters across all NBCUniversal businesses, including Filmed Entertainment, Media, Sports, News and Destinations & Experiences. The Manager, Music Rights will be responsible for managing the operations and administrative services related to comprehensive music clearance and licensing functions for NBCUniversal. This position does not include any music creative or music supervision responsibilities.

Role Purpose

To manage the operations and administrative services related to comprehensive music clearance and licensing functions across NBCUniversal’s television programming, including Universal Television Entertainment, Universal Studios Group, NBC Entertainment, Bravo and Peacock.

Responsibilities

• Draft, negotiate, review and track music licenses and other music agreements as needed.
• Partner with Business & Legal Affairs to advise clients on intellectual property issues, copyright infringement, clearance, rights‑related and regulatory matters, public domain analyses, union issues, performing rights, strategy, risk analysis and other matters arising from programming.
• Interact with various departments on budgeting, invoices, payroll, union obligations and deliverables.
• Review and process quote requests, pick‑up letters, master use and synchronization licenses, payments, vendor set‑ups and other music licensing‑related matters across different productions.
• Research music for all details relating to clearance and tracking, including publishers, record labels, performing rights societies and types of usage.
• Review and clear music use in programming to ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate across all NBCU platforms in the development and implementation of technological solutions to best serve internal clients.
• Maintain tracking grids, cost charts, databases and other systems for all music usage, licensing and related needs across NBCUniversal.
• Review, analyze, revise and submit cue sheets.
• Administer union inquiries associated with licensed music (e.g., AFM, SAG‑AFTRA) and generate reports.
• Communicate and maintain relationships with internal partners, publishers, labels, music libraries and other vendors.
• Partner with clients and colleagues to implement best practices and formulate new processes.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or comparable work experience.
• 4+ years of music licensing and/or clearance experience or related field.

Desired Characteristics

• Knowledge and understanding of copyright rules related to the music industry.
• Diversified knowledge of contemporary and classical music catalogs and their applicable publishing companies and record labels.
• Established relationships with and experience clearing and licensing music from major publishing companies, record labels and music libraries, along with other channels such as independent companies, management, attorneys and agents.
• Tech‑savvy, with a strong sense of how cloud‑based documents, databases and other systems are used in a modern business environment; familiarity with Microsoft 365, contract management systems, payment and vendor setup tools, and music clearance and cue sheet systems such as Qwire, SynchTank and SoundMouse.
• Highly motivated self‑starter with a strong track record of successful project execution.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple clients with competing deadlines and business priorities.
• Outstanding analytic and organizational skills, including excellent drafting and negotiation skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; experience communicating with various audiences and levels of management with strong client support and service orientation.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior staff is a plus.

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to work in Universal City, CA or New York, NY; some travel may be required.
• Must be able to work flexible hours due to production schedules, including evenings and holidays, as needed.

Hybrid

This position is designated as hybrid, requiring presence in the office a minimum of three days per week. Beginning January 5, 2026, hybrid employees will be required to work from the office a minimum of four days per week. The Company reserves the right to change in‑office requirements at any time.

Benefits

This position is eligible for company‑sponsored benefits, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401(k), paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and a variety of other discounts and perks.

Salary Range

$75,000 – $95,000 (bonus eligible).

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in‑person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.