Associate Director/Director, Commerce

We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world’s leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
 

Universal Music Group is seeking a strategic, data-driven, and relationship-focused Associate Director / Director of Commerce to lead commercial strategy and execution across Def Jam Recordings, our digital service providers (DSP) and digital retail partners. This role is responsible for driving streaming growth, maximizing partner opportunities, and developing innovative commercial strategies that accelerate artist performance and revenue across key digital platforms.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative leader with deep expertise in the digital music ecosystem, exceptional partner management skills, and a proven ability to translate market insights into impactful commercial initiatives. This individual will work cross-functionally with Marketing, Audience Development, Commercial Strategy, Finance, Global Digital Business, and Label teams to ensure best-in-class execution for priority releases while strengthening strategic relationships with leading DSP partners.

• Develop, implement, and execute strategic commerce plans that support current and long-term artist, label, and business growth objectives.

• Lead commercial strategy across key DSP and digital retail partners including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, Pandora, Deezer, SoundCloud, and emerging platforms.

• Develop partner-specific and cross-partner commercial initiatives designed to maximize consumption, audience growth, and revenue opportunities.

• Identify emerging digital trends, platform innovations, and consumer behaviors to inform commercial strategy and drive competitive advantage.

• Ensure successful implementation and optimization of new commercial partnerships, platform initiatives, and digital product opportunities.

• Serve as the primary commercial lead for priority releases, partnering with labels and DSPs to secure impactful placement, merchandising, editorial support, and marketing opportunities.

• Build and maintain senior-level relationships across digital partners while acting as a trusted advisor internally and externally.

• Collaborate with label, marketing, audience development, and global digital teams to develop integrated release plans aligned with artist objectives and partner priorities.

• Establish and monitor KPIs to measure commercial success across artists, campaigns, and digital partners.

• Analyze streaming, consumption, audience, and market data to identify growth opportunities and optimize commercial strategies.

• Deliver actionable insights, performance reporting, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership and label stakeholders.

• Partner closely with Marketing, Commercial Strategy, Audience Development, Finance, Business Intelligence, Global Digital Business, and Label teams to ensure seamless execution of commercial initiatives.

• Collaborate with Digital Product and Technology teams to improve tools, reporting capabilities, operational workflows, and scalability.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing commerce team focused on collaboration, accountability, and commercial excellence.

• Recruit, onboard, and develop talent while fostering a culture of innovation, strategic thinking, and continuous improvement.

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Music Business, Communications, or a related field; MBA preferred.

• 8–10+ years of progressive experience in digital music commerce, streaming, commercial partnerships, or digital business development within the music industry.

• Deep understanding of the digital music ecosystem, DSP business models, streaming economics, and digital retail strategies.

• Proven experience developing and executing successful commercial strategies that drive measurable streaming and revenue growth.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and translate insights into actionable business recommendations.

• Experience leading strategic partner relationships with major digital platforms.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priority releases and large-scale initiatives.

• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and sound judgment.

• Passion for music, technology, digital innovation, and the evolving streaming landscape.

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.
Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.

Please note, UMG is not enrolled in E-Verify in California and New York, and cannot support employment of candidates whose employer must enroll in E-Verify, for example candidates on STEM-OPT.

For more information, please click on the following links.

E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish

E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish

Salary Range:

The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.  All candidates are encouraged to apply.