Overview
Director, Commercial Partnerships – Santa Monica, 90404, United States of America
How we LEAD:
The Director, Digital Commercial Partnerships drives strategic growth across key digital service providers (DSPs) and high-impact partners, leading initiatives that increase streaming consumption, audience engagement, and revenue. This role owns partner strategy, go-to-market execution, and commercial innovation across priority accounts. You will operate at the intersection of music, data, marketing, and technology, shaping how repertoire is positioned and monetized in a rapidly evolving digital ecosystem The ideal candidate is a strategic, data-driven leader and relationship builder with deep expertise in streaming platforms, digital marketing, and commercial partnerships.
How you’ll CREATE:
Partner Strategy & Growth
- Own and lead business strategy for priority DSPs, driving streaming growth, revenue, and market share
- Serve as the primary point of contact between UMG labels and digital partners, aligning release priorities with platform opportunities
- Identify and execute revenue-driving initiatives, including marketing campaigns, advertising strategies, and new monetization models
- Pitch and position new releases, catalog campaigns, and artist initiatives to secure prominent editorial, playlisting, and promotional support
- Develop innovative go-to-market strategies that maximize visibility and fan engagement across platforms
Data, Insights & Performance
- Leverage streaming analytics, consumer insights, and market data to inform commercial decisions and optimize performance
- Track and deliver on revenue targets and KPIs, identifying opportunities for incremental growth
- Produce weekly, monthly, and ad hoc reporting on streaming trends, sales performance, and partner activity
- Translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for label teams and senior stakeholders
- Analyze campaign and release performance to continuously refine strategy
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Act as a strategic advisor to internal stakeholders, sharing DSP best practices, audience insights, and market trends
- Collaborate with marketing, analytics, operations, and label teams to align on priorities and execution
- Lead business reviews and executive presentations with internal teams and external partners
- Drive internal alignment by communicating partner updates across product, marketing, and technology
Operations & Execution
- Ensure seamless content delivery and metadata accuracy across platforms
- Troubleshoot partner and system issues to maintain high-quality releases and reporting integrity
- Build and optimize scalable processes and workflows to improve efficiency and execution
- Establish and enforce best practices, standards, and operational frameworks across partners
Bring your VIBE:
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in digital partnerships, business operations, sales, marketing, or commercial strategy within music, media, digital content, or a related industry
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Finance, or a related field
- Strong understanding of the digital streaming ecosystem (DSPs), music industry landscape, and evolving consumer behavior
- Demonstrated ability to leverage data analytics and performance metrics to inform strategy and drive decision-making
- Proven track record of delivering revenue growth, audience engagement, and successful digital campaigns
- Solid understanding of commercial drivers and financial fundamentals (e.g., P&L, forecasting, ROI analysis)
- Advanced analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and leading executive-level discussions
- Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Office (or equivalent tools); ability to quickly learn new systems and platforms
- Exceptional relationship management, collaboration, and negotiation skills
- Experience working within a matrixed organization, partnering across teams such as marketing, analytics, and operations
- Passion for music, with a strong grasp of industry trends, digital innovation, and audience development strategies
- Consistent and punctual in-office attendance to support the Company’s strong collaborative and creative culture, mentor-mentee relationships, and participate in effective discussions and meetings, etc.
- Ability to interact with management, coworkers, and third parties regularly and professionally (e.g., artists, artist management, third-party vendors, etc.).
- Strong organizational skills, multi-tasking, and prioritizing capabilities.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, SAP, and any other system that is specific and required for the role.
Preferred Qualifications
- MBA or Master’s degree in Business, Marketing, Analytics, or a related field
- Direct experience managing relationships with major DSPs (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube), including joint business planning
- Experience with digital advertising and performance marketing platforms (e.g., paid social, search, programmatic)
Familiarity with audience growth strategies, playlisting ecosystems, and content merchandising on streaming platforms
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
