Director, Global Release Management

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.
 

How You'll LEAD:

The Director Global Release Management is responsible for providing direction for the end-to-end execution of Global Release Plans on behalf of UMG owned and Associated labels for all physical, and D2C global releases.

The role has responsibility for managing, supporting, and developing the Global Release Management teams in the US and UK. The Director has responsibility for ensuring that their team understands the responsibilities of their roles, and that they have received adequate training and access to resources globally to ensure that they can complete their responsibilities. The Director is responsible for providing their direct reports with performance expectations and goals, and for ensuring that timely feedback on performance is provided

How You’ll CREATE:

• Responsible for communicating and directing the execution of global release plans for high profile releases to their teams to ensure they are understood and brought to successful completion in all territories globally, meeting release dates assigned
• Ensure consistency of processes across the wider global team
• Develop and manage cross training and process reviews with the US & International teams to ensure they are done on a frequent basis
• Reviews and classifies all upcoming new releases as either standard or Bespoke, ensuring the proper teams and protocol are followed, based on the classification
• Collectively ensure the supplier allocations for releases are in line with UMGI contractual commitments and business objectives
• Leads a team of Release Managers, providing guidance, support, mentoring and team development
• Actively engages with marketing, commercial, sales, A&R, customer service, labels, D2C and finance teams for the successful execution of release plans
• Works closely with key stakeholders, internally and externally, including but not limited to; manufacturers, printers, mastering houses, merchandisers, distribution, transportation, and logistics teams to ensure release plans are achieved
• Jointly manages communication across the global UMG network
• Support the release management team by evaluating current systems, recommending system enhancements and modifications to the Senior Director. Develop, evaluate, document, and improve department / inter-department processes and implement recommendations
• Point of escalation across the assigned label rep owners to problem solve global release exceptions as they occur to ensure release dates are achieved
• Responsible for identification and escalation of any releases in jeopardy to Senior Management
• Ensure the workload between the global teams are proportional, monitoring and ensuring resource coverage is in place to support peak periods, holiday coverage and extra project work
• Sole responsibility for organizing and overseeing release management daily business team meetings with labels, suppliers, customer service and international teams and territories
• Ensure that their direct reports have the training necessary to effectively perform their day-to-day responsibilities
• Identify training and cross-training opportunities for the global team through all functional areas, processes, and systems
• Jointly support and execute any transition plans and continued development of the teams

Bring Your VIBE:

• Proven leadership skills
• Ability to work collaboratively across the wider Release Management teams globally and with all UMG territories
• Ability to influence key stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively regarding complex issues with people at all levels, persuasive skills
• Excellent organisational skills and time/project management skills
• The ability to collaborate in a high-pressure environment and provide support to colleagues, labels and territories where needed.
• Broad knowledge of end-to-end release cycle from inception of product to consumer experience for all physical release formats.
• Ability to provide direction and guidance to multi-functional teams and operating territories.
• Solutions and results driven with demonstrated problem solving skills.
• Proven experience in physical supply chain operations
• Analytical
• Attention to detail
• Good all-round experience and knowledge of MS Office packages
• Good working knowledge of the following: Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Excel, SAP, Planning Workbench
• All round knowledge of chart rules and DVD certification guidelines for US & International markets
• Systems: DART, SAP, CPRS, SPW, MS Business Objects. DiGS, RWS, R2, GRS, ASPEN

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.

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.

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