Analyst, Strategic Analytics

The Analyst will join Universal Music Group's Strategic Analytics team, providing consultative support to Senior Executives and various internal departments. This role focuses on analyzing large datasets using SQL, understanding data quality, and translating complex data into clear narratives. Key responsibilities include identifying user and platform trends, developing dynamic models for licensing negotiations and executive presentations, and effectively communicating data-driven recommendations to diverse audiences. The position requires strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving within the music industry.

Must Have

• Write complex SQL scripts to extract necessary data for projects.
• Explain the benefits and pitfalls of various data sets based on deep understanding of data quality.
• Comfortable dealing with many disparate data sources and reconciling against the source of truth.
• Form a narrative through the distillation and interpretation of large amounts of data.
• Able to learn quickly and become a deep subject matter expert on all of UMG’s various data sources.
• Demonstrated ability to manage requests in a professional manner and communicate data-driven recommendations to a variety of different audience types.
• Work in project teams to answer interesting questions in a consultative fashion.
• Using data to identify user trends and platform trends, including user engagement, listening habits, conversion, retention, monetization, genre insights.
• Developing dynamic models to support licensing negotiations, executive presentations, and high-level decision-making.
• Proficiency with Excel, data visualization tools, and the ability to create compelling presentations in PowerPoint.
• Experience working with large datasets and SQL for data extraction and analysis.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders in a consultative, client-facing, and analytical capacity.
• Strong intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to dive deep into new data sets, business models, and industry trends.
• Proactive mindset, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, and drive work forward independently.
• Familiarity with statistical concepts and tools, and the ability to apply them effectively.
• Excellent communication skills: comfortable walking through analyses, translating complexity, and presenting to executives.
• Comfort navigating ambiguous problems and structuring them into clear, actionable analytical steps.
• Ability to build strong relationships across business units and thrive within a collaborative team environment.
• Passion for music, analytics, and the role data plays in shaping creative and commercial outcomes.

Good to Have

• Previous experience in the music or entertainment industry.
• A track record of self-started projects that show initiative, experimentation, or personal passion (side data projects, GitHub repos, music/tech passion projects, etc.).
• A natural tendency to ask, “Why?” and explore solutions beyond the obvious.

Perks & Benefits

• Be part of an entrepreneurial, global organization that values authenticity, drive, creativity, relationships, and a competitive spirit.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options.
• 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services.
• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year).
• A lifetime fertility support allowance of $30,000 to plan participants.
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement.
• 100% immediately vested 401(k) match on the first 5% of your contribution on eligible compensation.
• 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.

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 looking for an Analyst to join the Strategic Analytics team. This role is located on-site in UMG’s Santa Monica office.

How we LEAD:

The Analyst will consult on projects for Senior Executives, as well as individuals within Business Development, Finance, Communications, Marketing, and UMG’s various label groups. The ideal candidate should be an expert at analyzing large data sets in SQL and highly skilled at understanding new or messy data. Additional expertise in financial modeling, Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization is a strong plus. Candidates should also demonstrate a solid understanding (or an eagerness to learn) the business models that are currently revolutionizing digital and subscription-based media.

How you’ll CREATE:

• Write complex SQL scripts to extract necessary data for projects
• Explain the benefits and pitfalls of various data sets based on deep understanding of data quality
• Comfortable dealing with many disparate data sources and reconciling against the source of truth
• Form a narrative through the distillation and interpretation of large amounts of data
• Able to learn quickly and become a deep subject matter expert on all of UMG’s various data sources
• Demonstrated ability to manage requests in a professional manner and communicate data-driven recommendations to a variety of different audience types (from senior executives to fellow analysts)
• Work in project teams to answer interesting questions in a consultative fashion
• Sample analysis may include:
• Using data to identify user trends and platform trends, including user engagement, listening habits, conversion, retention, monetization, genre insights, among many others
• Developing dynamic models to support licensing negotiations (e.g., with Spotify, Apple, YouTube), executive presentations, and high-level decision-making

Bring your VIBE:

• 2–5 years of experience in consulting, finance, or a related analytical field preferred
• Proficiency with Excel, data visualization tools, and the ability to create compelling presentations in PowerPoint
• Experience working with large datasets and SQL for data extraction and analysis
• Experience engaging with stakeholders in a consultative, client-facing, and analytical capacity
• Strong intellectual curiosity and an eagerness to dive deep into new data sets, business models, and industry trends
• Proactive mindset, with a demonstrated ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, and drive work forward independently
• Familiarity with statistical concepts and tools, and the ability to apply them effectively
• Excellent communication skills: comfortable walking through analyses, translating complexity, and presenting to executives
• Comfort navigating ambiguous problems and structuring them into clear, actionable analytical steps
• Ability to build strong relationships across business units and thrive within a collaborative team environment
• Passion for for music, analytics, and the role data plays in shaping creative and commercial outcomes

Bonus Points if you have:

• Previous experience in the music or entertainment industry
• A track record of self-started projects that show initiative, experimentation, or personal passion (side data projects, GitHub repos, music/tech passion projects, etc.)
• A natural tendency to ask, “Why?” and explore solutions beyond the obvious

Perks Playlist:

• Be part of an entrepreneurial, global organization that values authenticity, drive, creativity, relationships, and a competitive spirit
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options, as well as:
• 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services
• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
• A lifetime fertility support allowance of $30,000 to plan participants
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• 100% immediately vested 401(k) match on the first 5% of your contribution on eligible compensation
• 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.