Universal Music Group

Director, Distribution

Universal Music Group$120K — $150K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in music distribution or related fields
  • Strong understanding of digital and physical music video distribution
  • Experience managing complex release schedules and catalog migrations
  • Excellent project management, prioritization, and organizational skills
  • Bachelor's degree in business, music industry, or equivalent experience

Responsibilities

  • Manage day-to-day workflows for audio and video distribution assets
  • Serve as primary contact for labels, artists, and content providers
  • Maintain and communicate release calendars and priorities
  • Monitor distribution financials and prepare performance reports
  • Support distribution deal evaluation and implementation
  • Partner with A&R to assess new distribution opportunities
  • Troubleshoot production and client-service issues effectively

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • 100% coverage for in-network mental health services
  • Fertility coverage available
  • Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness and wellness activities
  • Student loan repayment assistance and tuition reimbursement
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting and UMG contributions
  • Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
  • Generous paid parental leave for all types of families
Full Job Description
Capitol Records is seeking a Director, Distribution with strong creative judgment and operational expertise to support the growth and day-to-day execution of its distribution business. The Director will serve as a key liaison among Capitol Records, Virgin Music Group/Ingrooves, distributed labels, artists, managers and content providers. This role will coordinate release operations, client service, catalog onboarding, financial tracking and cross-functional execution from deal implementation through launch.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of digital and physical music and video distribution, DSP workflows, metadata and asset delivery. Success requires excellent organization, sound judgment and the ability to manage multiple priorities, communicate clearly and resolve issues quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Job Functions:
  • Manage day-to-day workflows for distributed audio and video assets, metadata, rights information and release data.
  • Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for distributed labels, artists and content providers, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Maintain release calendars, identify priorities, communicate requirements and milestones, and ensure timely delivery.
  • Monitor distribution P&L, forecasts, revenue and cost trends, and overall financial performance; prepare reporting and escalate risks or opportunities.
  • Support distribution deal evaluation and implementation in partnership with Legal and Business Affairs, Finance and senior leadership.
  • Partner with A&R and label leadership to assess prospective distribution opportunities and support partner onboarding.
  • Coordinate catalog migrations, metadata clean-up, asset transfers and operational integration for new signings and acquisitions.
  • Troubleshoot production, delivery, platform and client-service issues and drive timely resolution through the appropriate channels.
  • Develop and document operating processes, service standards, escalation paths and reporting practices.
  • Provide guidance to team members and partners on digital and physical production requirements; mentor junior staff as assigned.


Skills/Abilities:
  • Strong project management, prioritization and organizational skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
  • Clear, concise written and verbal communication and the ability to manage sensitive stakeholder relationships.
  • Working knowledge of digital and physical production, metadata, rights, content delivery and DSP requirements.
  • Financial acumen, including the ability to interpret P&L results, forecasts, budgets and performance reporting.
  • Proactive problem solver who can work independently, adapt quickly and collaborate across creative, commercial, legal, finance and operations teams.

Experience:
  • 7+ years of experience in music distribution, label operations, production, supply chain, client services or a related recorded-music function.
  • Experience working with DSPs, distributors or aggregators, labels, artists, managers and content providers.
  • Demonstrated success managing complex release schedules, catalog migrations and cross-functional projects.
  • Experience supervising, mentoring or leading project teams preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree in business, music industry, communications or a related field preferred, or equivalent professional experience.


Perks Playlist:

Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren't just values-they're how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
  • Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
  • Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
  • Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
  • 401(k) with 100% immediate vesting on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution


A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:

  • Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
  • 3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
  • 2-weeks paid Winter Break
  • 10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
  • Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
  • Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent


Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.

Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) is a global music corporation that is a subsidiary of the French media conglomerate Vivendi. The company was founded in 1934 as Decca Records and has since grown to become the largest music company in the world, with a market share of over 30%. UMG owns and operates a wide range of record labels, including Capitol Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Island Records, and has a roster of over 4,000 artists. In addition to music production and distribution, UMG also operates several other businesses, including music publishing, merchandising, and film and television production.
Learn more about Universal Music Group
Size
7,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1934

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