Position Description
Title: Sr. Director, Music Publishing Rights Management
Department: Global Publisher Services
Reports To: SVP, Operations & Client Engagement
Supervisory Role: Yes
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Remote, anywhere (Continental US)
Company
SoundExchange is the premier music tech organization on a mission to power the future of music. The organization collects and distributes digital performance royalties on behalf of more than 600,000 recording artists’ and master rights owners’ accounts and to date has paid more than $9 billion in distributions. Through unparalleled innovation of financial tech products and services, it distributes royalties to creator groups, advocates for fair pay across platforms, and creates systems that improve how the industry operates. Its proprietary fintech solutions help turn data into accurate revenue for creators and include Music Data Exchange (MDX) and International Standard Recording Codes (ISRC) Search.
Position Summary
This role is responsible for the successful management of the Music Publishing rights management services, functions, processes provided to all internal and external music publisher customers. The Senior Director, Music Publishing Rights Management will manage the end-to-end publishing rights and repertoire management function at SoundExchange, working closely and coordinating with the various operational functions.
This role provides an exciting opportunity to play a significant part in delivering and maintaining products that will benefit the music industry. You will need to have a problem-solving and inquisitive mindset whilst bringing an operational, product development skill set. This role will lead the research and resolution of music publishing rights data, including errors and anomalies, responding in a timely manner to internal and external customers.
Reporting to the SVP Publisher Services, the Senior Director, Music Publishing Rights Management will oversee and participate in all music publishing rights and repertoire activities. As a member to the publisher services team, you will work closely with all SoundExchange companies (CMRRA, SX Works, SoundExchange) including the Operations, Customer Services, Business Process and Product Management and Business Development teams. Responsible for the maintenance of publishing rights and repertoire of under a shared services model, additionally this role will provide input, and guidance on metadata standards and music publishing rights matters.
Essential Functions
- Responsible for leading all aspects of Publishing Rights and Repertoire Management for the SoundExchange family of companies (CMRRA, SX Works and SoundExchange)
- Work as an active and contributory member of the Music Publisher Services team, participate in development of new and on-going services
- Manage the workload and workflow across all Music Publishing Rights processes, setting priorities appropriately
- Develop and maintain the necessary relationships across the business to ensure optimal service to the business and clients
- Work closely with SoundExchange subsidiaries and Shared Service teams to ensure the successful delivery of internal/external service levels and key performance indicators
- Consult and coordinate with product managers, product owners and key stakeholders regarding music publishing rights
- Collaborate and consult with SoundExchange IT teams to agree Music publishing rights priorities. Identifying cross project dependencies and manage risks and issues
- Provide constructive leadership, active management and mentoring to team members, developing them as professionals to deliver increasingly high standards
- Assist in advocating and ensuring the use of best practices and the use of industry standards e.g. DDEX, CWR etc.
- Continuously improve internal methodologies, processes, data standards, and best practices
- Develop and implement standardized workflows for team activities
- Develop, track and analyze metrics to measure and ensure department objectives are attained
- Attract, retain, train, and motivate staff; with a strong focus on the development and mentoring of team members
- Track record for effectively managing and monitoring publishing rights processes and activities
- As necessary research musical work-related information such as interested parties, song & recording data
- Research and respond to copyright counterclaims & disputes
- Ad hoc projects and responsibilities as required
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs)
- Deep understanding of copyright, licensing, and royalty administration and the systems and processes necessary to operate and scale music publishing rights management operations
- Experience with working with and understanding music publishing agreements and copyrighted musical works
- Experience of working within the music publishing and/or collective management organization
- Provide and share subject matter expertise, industry knowledge across the SoundExchange organization
- Knowledge and insight on the use of data research & analytics within music publishing
- Proven record as a manager with experience managing system integrations, data migration and working within a shared service operations model. The ability to work on a day-to-day basis without daily direction, self-manage the team through individual tasks and priorities
- Experience and knowledge of international music industry standards and formats across the music publishing ecosystem e.g. DDEX, CWR etc.
- Ability to explain financials and analysis including royalty calculations related to music publishing rights
- Follows through on open issues though to resolution, meets deadlines in an efficient and effective way
- Provide subject matter expertise to internal team members ensuring a full understanding of the end-to-end music publishing business and value chain
- Promote a customer orientated culture improving client service and relations
- Motivated and open to change with ability to bring new and practical ideas
- Know when to delegate tasks and deliver quality output
- Advocate for the needs of creators and right owners across the industry
- Communicate and express issues in a clear and logical way to colleagues with various level of expertise
- Excellent MS Office skills, particularly Excel as well as being comfortable working with multiple data sets
- Must be able to multi-task and manage multiple high priority projects
- Able to manage large data volumes from customized systems
- Project management skills essential
Required Education, Certifications/ Licenses, Related Experience
- Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent experience
- Experienced manager able to create and implement project plans, setting goals and meeting targets
- 7 plus years of business experience in publishing rights operations and administration with experience working through complex issues
ADA Specifications
- This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position (standing and/or seated) more than half of the time
- The person in this position may need to move about the corporate office(s) less than half of the time
- The person in this position must be able to maneuver (lift, move, carry, slide, etc.) less than 15lbs
- This position requires the ability to spend all of the time viewing computer monitors
Travel Requirements
- This position requires overnight international travel less than 10% of the time
- Anticipated travel will be by car, air, and/or train
DEI Statement
At SoundExchange, we empower creators and help share the future of music. One way we do this is by respecting diverse voices, varied perspectives, and distinct backgrounds of all of our team members. We are intentional in creating an inclusive culture where we recognize that equity is greater than equality and all employees have the opportunities and support needed to thrive. We strive to create teams that reflect the music community we serve – every individual’s unique attributes and abilities are valued, and are part of how we innovate, create, and deliver experiences to the creators we champion.
COVID-19 Policy
Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status prior to beginning employment. Employees who are not fully vaccinated will not be permitted to access SoundExchange offices until they are fully vaccinated. As a condition of employment, all SoundExchange employees will be required to be fully vaccinated. SoundExchange will provide reasonable accommodations for employees who cannot be vaccinated because of a disability or sincerely held religious belief. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Contact
To apply, please send a cover letter and résumé to jobs@soundexchange.com.
Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.
