Full-Time

Senior Business Affairs Manager

UnitedMasters

UnitedMasters

501-1,000 employees

Music distribution platform for independent artists

Compensation Overview

$120k - $145k/yr

+ Bonus + Stock Options + 401(k) Match

Brooklyn, NY, USA

Hybrid

Hybrid role: minimum 4 days in-office per week in Brooklyn; 1 day remote.

Category
Operations & Logistics (2)
,
Required Skills
Animation
Requirements
  • 8+ years of relevant creative agency/business affairs experience
  • Ability to work well under pressure with fast moving deadlines
  • Experience in building solid relationships with internal and external partners
  • Strong organizational skills and high attention to detail
  • Ability to solve problems with keen instincts
  • Experience working on Non-Union productions
  • Deep knowledge of the SAG-AFTRA Commercials Contract
Responsibilities
  • Deck Reviews, callouts, advise on next steps
  • Tagline research
  • Risk Assessment on content
  • Bid Review with Producers
  • Casting Specifications – put together with Producer for Casting Company
  • Manage Contracts: Production, Animation, Photographer, VFX, Edit, Location Releases (draft, review to final signatures)
  • Third party trademark/IP clearances (e.g;. tattoos, jewelry, clothing)
  • Work in tandem with legal
  • Work in tandem with client’s cost controllers and agency partners
  • Track music costs
  • Insurance (pulling, processing, deal with claims)
  • Deal with general claims (third party, music, etc.)
  • Network Clearance (depending on client)
  • AD-Id’s (pull/manage - depending on client)
  • Manage Regular Standard Talent (excluding celebrities, athletes, influencers, etc.)
  • Estimating, contracts and payments for union (SAG-AFTRA) and non-union regular talent including negotiations, releases, contracts, residual tracking
  • Estimate with Producers
  • Review rough cuts and final content/assets for any risk or clearance concerns
  • Track and manage all payments excluding long form talent agreements
  • Submit Purchase Orders and Invoices/ track and manage all payments through Finance
  • Ensure vendors are paid on time working closely with Account Management & Finance
  • Track and file paperwork in job jackets
  • Actualize/close jobs with Producers & Finance
  • Oversee matters for other business affairs managers on the team when appropriate
Desired Qualifications
  • 4-Year College Degree
  • Able to summarize and speak in layman terms
  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills
  • Confidence in presenting to internal teams and external partners

UnitedMasters is a digital platform that distributes music for independent artists, serving as an alternative to traditional record labels. Artists upload music and UnitedMasters distributes it to streaming services, online stores, and social platforms, while providing data analytics, marketing tools, and creative services; artists keep full ownership of their master recordings. Unlike many labels, UnitedMasters focuses on owner-controlled careers and offers the premium SELECT plan with events and opportunities to connect with industry figures. Its goal is to help independent artists reach a global audience, grow their fan base, and sustain their careers on their own terms.

Company Size

501-1,000

Company Stage

Series C

Total Funding

$240M

Headquarters

New York City, New York

Founded

2017

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • UK expansion with Alessandro Moro signing Grace Carter and Kid Apollo on May 5, 2026.
  • Direct TikTok deal in 2024 optimizes playlist placements and algorithm access.
  • RoEx AI mastering partnership in 2024 provides production tools at $4.99 per track.

What critics are saying

  • DistroKid's free unlimited distribution erodes DEBUT+ subscribers within 6-12 months.
  • TuneCore's $29.99/year plan with broader DSPs steals mid-tier artists in 12-18 months.
  • Amuse's free distribution and cash advances commoditizes UnitedMasters' paid tiers immediately.

What makes UnitedMasters unique

  • UnitedMasters connects independent artists to NBA, ESPN, and Bose brand partnerships since 2017.
  • Synchtank-powered self-serve licensing offers cleared tracks to YouTubers for $20/month.
  • NFL partnership extension through 2027 enables recurring sync opportunities for artists.

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Your Connections

People at UnitedMasters who can refer or advise you

Benefits

401(k) Company Match

401(k) Retirement Plan

Hybrid Work Options

Performance Bonus

Stock Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

2%

2 year growth

1%
Music-News.com
Feb 2nd, 2026
BigXthaPlug honoured at pre-Grammy bash

BigXthaPlug honoured at pre-Grammy bash. BigXthaPlug has been honoured at the third annual Celebration of Independent Music's pre-Grammy bash. Ahead of this year's Grammy Awards, artist services platform UnitedMasters hosted its third annual Celebration at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. The pre-Grammy event also featured live performances from rising Jamaican artist Armanii, followed by BigXthaPlug, who energised the crowd with his signature hits. The evening concluded with a performance by iconic hip-hop duo Clipse, who are also set to perform at the 2026 Grammy Awards. They were joined on stage by a special guest appearance from Pharrell Williams. Texas rapper BigXthaPlug was presented with six plaques, including the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) 2x platinum for Take Care; 2x platinum for All The Way featuring Bailey Zimmerman; a YouTube plaque for 1 million subscribers; an overall streaming plaque for I Hope You're Happy in honour of 1 billion streams; and a Spotify streaming plaque for Mmhmm celebrating 500 million streams. In September 2025, BigXthaPlug earned his first No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Rap Songs chart with All the Way. The album it was taken from, I Hope You're Happy, debuted in the top two on both the Top Rap Albums and Top Country Albums charts. A former American football player, BigXthaPlug, real name Xavier Landum, is known for his deep voice and authentic Southern hip-hop style. He has collaborated with artists such as Offset, Jelly Roll and Luke Combs on songs spanning country to rap.

ITSBIZKIT
Sep 13th, 2025
UnitedMasters Receives First Ever Award Nomination

UnitedMasters receives first ever Award nomination.

PR Newswire
Mar 18th, 2025
Deleón Tequila'S Opening Acts Pledge: 500 Hours To Empower 1,000+ Rising Dj'S And The Opportunity For One Winner To Dj The Bet Awards Red Carpet

Through its Bold Spirits, Rise platform, DELEÓN is supporting creatives by providing mentorship, studio time and performance opportunities for emerging DJsNEW YORK, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DELEÓN Tequila is proud to launch the DELEÓN Tequila Opening Acts Pledge, a bold initiative designed to uplift rising DJs by providing mentorship, exposure and resources to help them succeed. Building on its Bold Spirits, Rise platform launched last year to champion those who embrace their creative drive and inspire others, DELEÓN is teaming up with cultural leaders, including BET Media Group, to create opportunities for emerging talent. As part of this initiative, one exceptional DJ will earn the chance to showcase their skills at the BET Awards 2025 red carpet, marking a career-defining moment in front of industry icons and influential tastemakers

Cision
Jan 8th, 2025
Tunecore Names Mike Ceglio To The Role Of Vice President, Operations Strategy

"With Mike's extensive industry experience and a proven ability to build high-performing teams, we're now in a position to take our operations to the next level."

Music Business Worldwide
Oct 31st, 2024
UnitedMasters extends music distro partnership with NFL through 2027 season

Music distribution platform UnitedMasters has extended its partnership with the National Football League (NFL) through the 2027 season.