Head of Physical

Job Description:

At Warner Music Group, we're a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game-changing creatives and passionate team members. Here, we turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans. We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses: 

● Curiosity: We do our best work when we're immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers. Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity. It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future. 

● Collaboration: Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork. A great idea, like a great song, travels globally. We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans. 

● Commitment: We pursue excellence for our team and our talent. Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we're committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises. 

WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success. That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone. We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences. 

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds – an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent. 

We are seeking a Head of Physical & D2C Sales to drive revenue and market share for our artists through a strategic focus on physical product and direct-to-consumer channels. This is a critical role that blends traditional music retail with modern e-commerce strategies. The ideal candidate will be a results-oriented leader with a deep understanding of the music retail landscape, from major record stores to independent shops and online fan communities.

• Physical Sales Strategy: Develop and execute a comprehensive sales strategy for all physical formats, including vinyl, CD, cassette, and future products. Manage relationships with distributors, wholesalers, and key retail partners (e.g., HMV, Rough Trade, Amazon). Set ambitious sales targets and performance metrics to drive market share and profitability.

• Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) Management: Oversee and optimize the label's e-commerce activity. This includes managing a Head of D2C to lead on product releases, developing fan-centric bundles and exclusive merchandise, implementing pricing strategies to maximize profitability and driving audience expansion to increase revenue and fan engagement. Leverage a deep understanding of key e-commerce drivers— including first party data growth, conversion, traffic, and sales—to build and execute strategies that deliver exponential growth and fan engagement.

•  Inventory & Production Management: Work closely with the production team to forecast demand, manage inventory levels, and plan for timely product releases. This role is responsible for ensuring we have the right product, in the right place, at the right time. Define, document and roll out a strategy for improved processes and reporting around inventory management and production.

• Campaign Planning & Execution: Collaborate with the marketing and A&R teams to create cohesive sales campaigns that align with artist release schedules. Drive pre-order campaigns, limited edition drops, and post-release sales initiatives.

• Data Analysis & Financial Reporting: Analyze sales data across all physical and D2C channels to identify trends, measure campaign performance, and provide actionable insights to executive leadership and artist management in a time sensitive manner.

• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, canvassing and financial performance of frontline releases, catalogue & campaigns.

• Monitor turnover reporting to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.

• Collaborate with finance teams to manage the marketing budgets & returns pipeline.

• Work closely with marketing and label to optimise ROI on sales initiative

• Chart analysis & forecasting - analyse pre-orders, chart markets and market activity to help forecast sales & chart success for frontline releases

• Create robust reporting and documentation to ensure full accountability for these key areas 

• Operational Innovation:  Overhaul existing processes for physical product releases from product creation to pricing and sales notes to create efficiency, improve speed to market and leverage new technologies

• Team Leadership: Lead and mentor a small team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, creating a culture of sales excellence and professionalism.

Skills & Qualifications 

• Proven experience in a sales and e-commerce leadership role within the music, entertainment, or a related consumer goods industry.

• Extensive knowledge of the physical music retail market, including an understanding of distribution networks and key players.

• Demonstrable expertise in managing and growing an e-commerce business.

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret sales data and translate it into strategic actions.

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills.

• Exceptional relationships across retail partners and music market.

• A passion for music and a keen understanding of artist fan bases.

We're receiving a high volume of applications for this role, so we encourage you to apply promptly, as the vacancy may close earlier than expected. A CV is sufficient, no cover letter is required.

#LI-MP1

WMG is committed to inclusion and diversity in all aspects of our business. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and will evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, religion or belief, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, disability, pregnancy, childbirth or any other characteristic protected by law.