VP, A&R Operations - Columbia

Sony Music Global Job Board
New York, NY
On-site

Who this role is best for

Geared toward experienced A&R operations professionals comfortable with cross-functional collaboration and process optimization.

Best fit for

  • Candidates with a background in managing and developing teams in the music industry
    — “Experience managing and developing a team”
  • Individuals who can handle high-level responsibilities with strong judgment and decision-making
    — “Strong judgment and ability to prioritize and make decisions in a fast-moving environment”

Things to consider

  • The role requires managing multiple internal teams and external partners simultaneously
    — “Partner closely with A&R, A&R Admin, BA, Release Planning, Finance, Sales and other internal teams”
  • The position demands attention to detail in handling production schedules and release operations
    — “Oversee production schedules and the timely delivery of all A&R-related assets”

How to stand out

  • Highlight experience in cross-training teams and implementing automation tools
    — “Identify opportunities to streamline and improve A&R Operations workflows”
  • Demonstrate leadership in team development and clear ownership structures
    — “Lead and manage the A&R Operations team, establishing clear ownership across the group”
  • Showcase expertise in managing recording budgets and mitigating overages
    — “Work closely with A&R and A&R Admin on recording budgets and reforecasts”
  • Emphasize experience with music security, leaks, and takedown procedures
    — “Interface with Content Protection on music security, leaks, watermarking, fingerprinting, and takedowns”
  • Demonstrate ability to maintain visibility across complex release priorities and risks
    — “Maintain visibility across priority releases and outstanding operational risks”
Pace · SteadyCollaboration · HighAutonomy · HighDecision Impact · Team

Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.

What success looks like

  • timely delivery of assets
  • efficient operations
  • team development
Typical background
A&R operationsmusic industry

Skills & requirements

Required

A&R OperationsProduction SchedulingAsset ManagementTeam ManagementBudgetingClearance Processes

Preferred

Music Industry Experience

Stack & domain

A&R OperationsProduction SchedulesAsset ManagementSample ClearanceSide Artist ClearanceRecording BudgetsOption TrackingMaster VerificationMusic SecurityLeaksWatermarkingFingerprintingTakedownsRoster OnboardingNew SigningsDropsProjectsDistributionJv/label PartnersRelease PlanningFinanceSalesLeadershipTeam ManagementCommunicationProblem-solvingDecision-makingRelationship ManagementMusic IndustryRecorded MusicA&R

About the role

Original posting from Sony Music Global Job Board via Greenhouse

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we fuel the creative journey. We’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from the first-ever music label to the invention of the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time.

Today, we work in more than 70 countries, supporting a diverse roster of international superstars, developing and independent artists, and visionary creators. From our position at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to the newest products and platforms, embrace new business models, employ breakthrough tools, and provide powerful insights that help our artists push creative boundaries and reach new audiences. In everything we do, we’re committed to artistic integrity, transparency, and entrepreneurship.

Sony Music Entertainment is a member of the Sony family of global companies.

The VP, A&R Operations will oversee the day-to-day operations of the A&R department and lead the A&R Operations team. This person will have overall accountability across the function, ensuring there is clear ownership across the team while serving as the primary escalation point for operational issues across the roster.

What you'll do:

Lead and manage the A&R Operations team, establishing clear ownership across the group and developing the team over time.

Oversee production schedules and the timely delivery of all A&R-related assets, including masters, credits/label copy, lyrics and related agreements.

Oversee sample and side artist clearance processes in partnership with BA Admin and Business Affairs.

Work closely with A&R and A&R Admin on recording budgets and reforecasts, with a focus on identifying potential overages and issues earlier.

Work with A&R Admin and BA on option tracking, terminations, and other roster-related matters.

Oversee master verification, asset management, and archival processes.

Interface with Content Protection on music security, leaks, watermarking, fingerprinting, and takedowns.

Maintain oversight across roster onboarding, new signings/drops and projects requiring additional operational support.

Oversee key operational relationships with distribution and JV/label partners.

Partner closely with A&R, A&R Admin, BA, Release Planning, Finance, Sales and other internal teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure priorities remain on track.

Maintain visibility across priority releases and outstanding operational risks, escalating material issues to A&R leadership as needed.

Identify opportunities to streamline and improve A&R Operations workflows, including better use of technology and automation, clearer documentation, and cross-training across the team.

Who you are:

7–10+ years of experience in A&R Operations, A&R Administration, or a related recorded-music function.

Strong knowledge of the recorded-music process, including audio delivery, clearances, recording budgets, and release operations.

Experience managing and developing a team.

Strong judgment and ability to prioritize and make decisions in a fast-moving environment.

Excellent communication and cross-functional relationship-management skills.

Comfortable working with senior executives, A&R teams, artist representatives, and internal business partners.

Able to understand detailed operational workflows while maintaining oversight of the broader function.

Proactive, solutions-oriented and interested in improving processes rather than simply maintaining them.

What we give you:

You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to channel your passion every day  

A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork empowering you to bring your best 

An attractive and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life & disability coverage, and 401K + employer matching 

Voluntary benefits like company-paid identity theft protection and resources for pets, mental health and meditation resources, industry-leading fertility coverage, fully paid leave for childbirth or bonding, fully paid leave for caregivers, programs for loved ones with developmental disabilities and neurodiversity, subsidized back-up child and elder care, and reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, tuition, and student loans 

Investment in your professional growth and development enabling you to thrive in our vibrant community.  

The space to accelerate progress, positively disrupt, and create what happens next  

Time off for a winter recess

Sony Music is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of age, disability, national origin, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, veteran or military status, marital and civil partnership/union status, alienage or citizenship status, creed, genetic information or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The anticipated annual base salary does not include any other compensation components or other benefits that an individual may be eligible for.  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.New York Pay Range$160,000—$180,000 USD

Source: Sony Music Global Job Board careers (Greenhouse)

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