Director, Strategic Initiatives & Investments

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.
 

The Strategic Initiatives & Investing team is a highly visible team within UMG. The group serves Virgin Music Group’s executive leadership, business units/labels, and internal stakeholders with projects that span across M&A, strategic planning, artist deals, new business ventures, internal consulting, among others. The team is lean and committed to fostering a workplace culture that is fun, supportive and collaborative.

How we LEAD:
 

The Strategic Initiatives & Investing team is looking for a full-time Director to be based in Los Angeles, CA. The Director will analyze artist/business deals, conduct catalog acquisitions in cooperation with Chord Music Partners, evaluate M&A opportunities, lead strategic projects ,and monitor competitor & market trends. The Manager will have the opportunity to apply strategic and critical thinking in driving growth and profitability across the company’s diverse portfolio of businesses, including recorded music, publishing, merch, D2C, artist services, digital, tech, marketing, etc. The successful candidate is an analytical, proactive, and intellectually curious individual who can identify opportunities/risks, structure analyses, develop solutions and articulate findings. The Director will report to the SVP, Global Strategic Initiatives & Investments and will work closely with other team members.

How you’ll CREATE:

• Oversee financial/analytical modeling using valuation techniques, detailed due diligence, and strategic evaluations for potential M&A candidates, artist deals, catalog acquisitions, joint venture partners and business development growth initiatives

• Lead internal strategic analyses by working with department leaders across the company to determine growth initiatives, revenue drivers and cost/investment need

• Proactively ideate potential opportunities, identify strategic implications, and drive forward related analyses

• Perform industry and competitive due diligence including market trends and competitive analysis

• Author and communicate succinct presentations for senior management and other VMG leaders

• Recommend best practices for improving current processes to facilitate better decision making, team communication, and time savings

Bring your VIBE:

• 5+ years of relevant work experience in finance, consulting/strategy, M&A, or similar field

• 1+ year of direct music IP / catalog investing experience highly recommended

• Strong financial modeling experience building operational models, valuations, new ventures, etc. including use of Excel, Word and PowerPoint (Experience with HFM/SAP a plus)

• Proven ability to analyze and communicate complex analyses and key findings for executives

• High level of intellectual curiosity, especially around music, technology, and entertainment

• Able to think critically and make problem solving decisions

• Ability to take ownership of and drive forward projects independently

• Able to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple assignments

• Experience analyzing and performing due diligence on large and varied data sets

• Highly personable with strong team-working skills

• Prior relevant experience in the music industry preferred

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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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.