Managing Director, UK Rights Companies

3 weeks ago


London, United Kingdom Wise Music Group Full time

BACKGROUND


Wise Music Group is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo.


The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous names in the history of music including Chester Music, G. Schirmer, Associated Music Publishers, Novello & Co, Edition Peters Group, Éditions Alphonse Leduc, Première Music, Le Chant du Monde, Edition Wilhelm Hansen, Unión Musical Ediciones, Bosworth Music GmbH, and Campbell Connelly.


Wise Music Group owns or controls over half a million copyrights – including the world’s largest independent holding of historic and contemporary classical music – as well as an enormous range of popular songs spanning evergreen, jazz, reggae, blues, pop, and rock.


The Group is privately owned by one family over several generations and the UK office is situated in London’s West End.


CORE RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES


To maximise the copyright related income and profit of WMG UK music publishing companies (notably Chester and associated publishing companies such as Novello, Campbell Connelly, Sparta Florida, Noel Gay and Eaton Music as well as Edition Peters Group, UK) by maintaining and building attractive catalogues of new and established composers across all relevant musical genres; overseeing the exploitation of those catalogues and developing the overall profile of the companies so that both established composers and high potential new talent choose to be published by the company.


The Job-Holder must manage an integrated set of resources of WMG UK Rights Companies.


Core responsibilities include:

  • Strategy
  • Budget
  • Performance
  • Publishing decisions
  • Departmental oversight of the UK teams, including Promotion, Editorial, Hire, Creative and Income Tracking.


The Job-Holder has full management accountability for teams through subordinate managers. The focus is on performance management and the meeting of short and mid-term targets.


Key Accountabilities include:

  • Leading the development and implementation of the publishing policy of WMG UK publishing companies
  • Identifying opportunities and trends in the local and international marketplaces that inform the development of the catalogues, new acquisitions and promotional activities and focus
  • Collaborating with colleagues in identifying and then developing potential acquisitions of catalogues and companies, signings of new writers in all relevant musical genres and new target markets
  • Making authoritative recommendations on and negotiating the acquisition of rights and the signing of composers in all relevant musical genres with reference to financial and company profile gains
  • Inputting into strategic issues both locally and on an international basis
  • Nurturing and developing a large range of composers in new ways in order to develop existing income streams and to establish new ones on an international basis
  • Ensuring the reputation and profile of the brands of the Wise Music Group and of its UK publishing companies
  • Maximising the benefits of working within the international and independent structure of the Wise Music Group
  • Ensuring that WMG UK provides a high quality and efficient hire library service
  • Managing the WMG’s relationships with its print distributors and hire agents
  • Inputting into the licensing of company rights and to company policy in this regard, and approving licences on a case by case basis, as appropriate
  • Inputting to and managing budgets for all WMG UK publishing companies, including Edition Peters UK
  • Meeting revenue, overhead and EBITDA targets
  • Regularly reporting to the Board and Group management on UK company performance
  • Management responsibility for all WMG UK publishing staff (including Promotion, Editorial, Hire, Creative and Income Tracking)
  • Being part of the music industry network and engage with the MPA, PRS and similar organisations to secure the interests of WMG on an industry level
  • The most important external relationships are with the composers and their management, Estates and legal representation. As well as supporting, advising and representing the composers, the Job-Holder is responsible for negotiating (often non-standard) terms with them


SKILLS & BEHAVIOURAL REQUIREMENTS


The job requires a broad and comprehensive understanding of the different systems, theories and practices relevant to the business of publishing classical, media and commercial music on an international basis, and a general understanding of copyright management, as well as a broad knowledge of the principal decision makers within the target markets. Also required is an understanding of how organisations run including cash flow, people management and business processes. Specifically, the Job-Holder needs to have a comprehensive knowledge of today’s music scenes, across a range of genres and internationally.


Experience and Knowledge

  • An experienced senior music executive with experience of the classical music market
  • A known person within the music business generally, but especially in classical
  • Broad knowledge, gained through experience, of big players in music markets (especially classical), whether new or old media
  • Familiarity with contemporary commercial / media music
  • Broad understanding of systems/practices application to the successful publication of classical (in particular), media and commercial music on an international basis
  • An experienced people manager
  • Detailed understanding of how rights income is generated and flows globally
  • General understanding of copyright management
  • Detailed knowledge of classical music


Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to talk knowledgeably and confidently with writers, particularly classical writers
  • Ability to work collaboratively cross-departmentally
  • An excellent communication style, both verbally and written
  • Decisive decision maker
  • Able to work well under pressure


Personal Qualities

  • A team player
  • Driven by financial targets as well as artistic quality of ‘product’
  • Broad taste, not necessarily driven by personal likes and dislikes but by a good sense of quality and what the market will accept across a range of genres


Availability

Core working hours are 0930 to 1730 Monday to Friday, however you will need to be flexible and able to work additional hours as required ensuring deadlines are met.


Willing to travel in the UK and internationally from time to time, as required.


A hybrid working model is currently in place, which requires employees to work 2 days a week at our Berners Street London office location, with the possibility of this increasing to 3 days in the near future.


Closing Date: Friday 15th November 2024.


Wise Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.



  • London, United Kingdom Music Week Full time

    Wise Music Group (WMG) is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo. The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous names in the history of...


  • London, United Kingdom Music Week Full time

    Wise Music Group (WMG) is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo. The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous names in the history of...


  • Greater London, United Kingdom Wise Music Group Full time

    BACKGROUNDWise Music Group is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo.The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous names in the history of...


  • Greater London, United Kingdom Wise Music Group Full time

    BACKGROUNDWise Music Group is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo.The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous names in the history of...


  • Greater London, United Kingdom Wise Music Group Full time

    Job Description BACKGROUND Wise Music Group is a global independent music publisher. The Group maintains a global network of standalone offices including London, New York, Los Angeles, Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Copenhagen, Reykjavík, and Bergamo. The Group’s publishing houses and imprints include some of the most famous...


  • London, United Kingdom AVD Appoint Ltd Full time

    Associate Director for Rights of Light - London - Up to £75,000 + Benefits - Ref 1444 I am currently recruiting for a Associate Director for Rights of Light to work for one of the UKs leading specialist advisor and consultancies based in London. Salary up to £75,000 + Benefits depending on skills and experience. The organisation has been established for...


  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom Director File Full time

    Director, People & Culture (Maternity Cover)Location: Remote; London, UKRemote work allowedKey ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement people and culture strategies to drive business resultsLead a high-performing team and collaborate with cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goalsDrive business outcomes through effective talent management and...


  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom Michael Page (UK) Full time

    Job Title: Financial Director UKMichael Page (UK) seeks a seasoned FP&A professional to join their team as a Financial Director. Based in Surrey, this is an exciting opportunity for someone with commercial acumen and leadership skills.About the RoleCommercial Impact: This role has broad responsibilities with significant impact on the company's financial...


  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom QED Legal Full time

    Legal Director Opportunity in North LondonWe are seeking a seasoned Legal Director to join our client, a multinational company based in North London. As part of the legal department, you will be responsible for providing expert legal advice and ensuring compliance with UK laws.About the Role:Lead and support the legal team in all aspects of their workDraft...


  • London, United Kingdom Care Rights UK Full time

    Job description Do you have experience in a policy or campaign role? Do you have a passion for using your skills to improve the lives of older people needing care and their families? Join our team! You would work alongside our director to lead Care Rights UK's influencing work. This is a key pillar of the charity’s strategy, pushing for a better care...

  • Retail Director

    6 months ago


    London, United Kingdom GANT UK Full time

    **Do you believe we should never stop learning? GANT, the future of American Sportswear, strives to be an Employer of Choice in 70+ global markets. If you want to challenge convention and make clothes for the courageous, curious and creative, then join us on this journey!**: **About the team** **Responsibilities** - Set annual sales targets, KPIs, and...


  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom Director File Full time

    About the Opportunity:We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Director of People and Culture to join our leadership team at Director File.Key Responsibilities:Develop and implement strategies to drive business growth and improve employee engagement.Lead and manage a team of HR professionals to deliver HR services.Collaborate with senior leaders to...

  • Managing Director, UK

    2 months ago


    London, United Kingdom Montres Norqain SA Full time

    NORQAIN SA is a Swiss luxury watch brand known for its adventurous spirit, independence, and commitment to craftsmanship. Founded in 2018, NORQAIN is a family-owned and fully independent watch company that has rapidly established itself in the global luxury watch market through innovative design, exceptional quality, and a passion for exploration. As a...


  • London, United Kingdom AXA UK Full time

    **About the role**: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Company Secretary to join our team at AXA UK. In this vital role, you will act as Company Secretary for AXA UK, its principal regulated companies, its main operating companies, and other subsidiaries, totaling 32 companies, 9 of which are regulated. Additionally, you will serve as Company Secretary...

  • Managing Director, UK

    2 months ago


    London, United Kingdom Montres Norqain SA Full time

    NORQAIN SA is a Swiss luxury watch brand known for its adventurous spirit, independence, and commitment to craftsmanship. Founded in 2018, NORQAIN is a family-owned and fully independent watch company that has rapidly established itself in the global luxury watch market through innovative design, exceptional quality, and a passion for exploration. As a brand...

  • Company Secretary, UK

    1 month ago


    London, United Kingdom AIG Full time

    Join us as a Company Secretary to take your career to the next level with a global market leader.Make your mark in Global Legal, Compliance and Regulatory (GLCR)Our Global Legal, Compliance and Regulatory (GLCR) team provides first class advice to colleagues and functions across the organization – ensuring AIG navigates an ever-changing landscape that...

  • Managing Director

    1 month ago


    London, United Kingdom Behavioural Insights Team Full time

    BIT is a world-leading applied research and innovation consultancy which combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with evidence-led problem solving to improve people’s lives. We work with governments, companies, and organisations around the world to tackle some of the most pressing issues, from improving public health outcomes to reducing...

  • Managing Director

    1 month ago


    London, United Kingdom Behavioural Insights Team Full time

    BIT is a world-leading applied research and innovation consultancy which combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with evidence-led problem solving to improve people’s lives. We work with governments, companies, and organisations around the world to tackle some of the most pressing issues, from improving public health outcomes to reducing...

  • Managing Director

    1 month ago


    London, United Kingdom Behavioural Insights Team Full time

    BIT is a world-leading applied research and innovation consultancy which combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with evidence-led problem solving to improve people’s lives. We work with governments, companies, and organisations around the world to tackle some of the most pressing issues, from improving public health outcomes to reducing...


  • London, Greater London, United Kingdom BMG Rights Management Services (UK) Limited Full time

    About the RoleWe are seeking an experienced Music Production Manager to join our supply chain team at BMG Rights Management Services (UK) Limited. This is a pivotal role that requires strong organizational, administrative, and analytical skills to manage the product setup of all physical and digital products released to market for our recorded music...