Universal Music Group

Director, Head of A&R Administration

Universal Music Group$110K — $130K *
Media
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7-10 years of experience in A&R Administration, recording admin, label operations, or related roles.
  • 3+ years of experience managing a team or leading complex projects.
  • In-depth knowledge of recording agreements and project delivery requirements.
  • Proven experience in advising senior leadership on risks and financial matters.
  • Strong leadership, delegation, and team development skills.
  • Advanced proficiency in Excel and project management tools.
  • Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Lead administration for all recording projects across music genres.
  • Advise the General Manager on project status and priorities.
  • Translate creative plans into budgets, timelines, and resource allocations.
  • Provide regular financial reporting on project expenditures and risks.
  • Oversee Accounts Payable activities related to recording projects.
  • Ensure compliance with documentation and delivery requirements for releases.
  • Improve A&R Administration policies and implement scalable solutions.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services.
  • Wellbeing reimbursements up to $720/year for wellness activities.
  • Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement.
  • 401(k) with immediate vesting on contributions and additional company contributions.
  • Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees and a structured PTO for non-exempt employees.
Full Job Description
We are seeking a Director, Head of A&R Administration to lead the Label's A&R Administration function. Reporting to the General Manager, this role will partner closely with A&R, Business & Legal Affairs, Finance, Production, Royalties, artists, and management teams. The Director will oversee the administrative management of recording projects, ensuring effective budget management, timely delivery, contractual compliance, and strong stakeholder support throughout the recording process. How You'll CREATE • Lead the administration and oversight of administration across the Label's roster and music genres. • Advise the General Manager and senior leadership on project status, and priorities. • Partner with A&R and senior management to translate creative plans into recording budgets, timelines, and resource needs. • Provide regular reporting on project spend, committed costs, forecasts, outstanding obligations, and budget risks. • Oversee recording-related Accounts Payable activity in partnership with Finance. • Oversee project documentation, clearances, and delivery requirements for commercial release. • Partner with Finance to issue purchase orders, approve expenditures, and resolve budget or payment issues. • Lead the resolution of recording, payment, clearance, documentation, and delivery matters. • Partner with Royalties, Business & Legal Affairs, Finance, and Production to ensure accurate and timely information flow. • Prepare executive reports, project summaries, forecasts, and recommendations. • Maintain complete, accurate, and audit-ready records. • Improve A&R Administration policies, workflows, systems, reporting tools, and service standards. • Identify operational gaps and implement scalable solutions. • Lead, mentor, and develop A&R Administration team members, including setting priorities and managing performance. • Represent the Label in company-wide initiatives related to A&R Administration, recording operations, finance, and systems. Requirements Bring Your VIBE • 7-10 years of progressive experience in A&R Administration, recording administration, label operations, production finance, or a related music-industry function. • At least 3 years of experience managing employees, leading a department, or directing complex cross-functional work. • Strong knowledge of recording agreements, project delivery requirements, producer documentation, side artist and sample clearances, and union obligations. • Proven ability to advise senior leaders and communicate financial, operational, and project risks clearly. • Experience partnering with A&R, Business & Legal Affairs, Finance, Production, Royalties, artists, managers, producers, and business managers. • Ability to balance creative priorities with financial discipline, contractual requirements, and release deadlines. • Strong leadership, delegation, team-development, and performance-management skills. • Advanced Excel skills, including budget models, forecasting tools, financial formulas, and executive reporting as well as project management tools (i.e. Monday, Asana, Notion) • Ability to learn proprietary systems such as UniPort or similar platforms. • Excellent analytical, organizational, project-management, and time-management skills. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate record keeping. • Sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism when handling confidential artist, financial, and contractual information. • Ability to anticipate issues, make informed decisions, and resolve complex problems independently. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. 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. Job Category:

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

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Universal Music Group

More Media Jobs

Find similar Director, Head of A&R Administration jobs: