Vice President, Data Governance and Strategy at Universal Music Group

Santa Monica, California, United States

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Music, EntertainmentIndustries

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Music Business, Data Science, or a related field; Master’s degree or MBA preferred
10+ years of experience in data governance, information strategy, or digital rights management, preferably in music, media, or entertainment
Deep understanding of music rights, publishing, royalties, and distribution models
Familiarity with industry standards such as DDEX, ISRC, ISWC, and global licensing bodies (e.g., ASCAP, BMI, PRS, SoundExchange)
Experience with data governance and catalog management tools (e.g., Collibra, Informatica, Synchtank, Vistex, Revelator)
Strong executive presence with exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills
Demonstrated success driving organizational change related to data transformation
Visionary leadership with a passion for the intersection of data, music, and innovation
Expertise in digital music consumption trends and data monetization
Strong analytical and compliance-oriented mindset
Ability to drive cross-functional alignment and cultural change

Responsibilities

Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive data governance and data strategy function across UMG
Ensure the integrity, compliance, and strategic use of data related to music rights, royalties, digital consumption, fan engagement, e-commerce, merchandise (both online and on tour), physical music and artist development
Champion a data-driven culture, aligning data priorities with business goals in a rapidly evolving digital music ecosystem
Define and drive the enterprise data strategy to support business growth, monetization of music assets, and fan engagement
Align data initiatives with music industry trends, business priorities, and evolving digital platforms (e.g., streaming, social, NFT/AI licensing)
Partner with C-level executives, legal, finance, marketing, HR and other UMG functions to integrate data insights into strategic decision-making
Develop and implement a robust data governance framework covering fan and eCommerce data, DSP consumption data, artist and product metadata, financial and royalty data
Standardize data definitions and metadata across systems (e.g., ISRC, ISWC, IPI) for consistency and transparency
Ensure compliance with global music rights regulations and data privacy laws (e.g., GDPR, CCPA)
Work cross-functionally with legal, operations, analytics teams, and product teams to implement governance standards
Promote data literacy and accountability across departments and business units
Evaluate and deploy tools for Data Governance Operations – discovery/inventory, classification, tagging and cataloging etc
Drive automation and innovation in data capture from digital platforms (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok)
Stay informed about emerging tech (blockchain, AI, NFTs) and their implications for music data governance

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Data GovernanceData StrategyGDPRISRCISWCIPIMetadata ManagementRoyalty DataFan EngagementDSP DataE-commerce Data

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What experience level is required for this Vice President role?

The role requires 10+ years of experience in data governance, information strategy, or digital rights management, preferably in music, media, or entertainment.

What education is needed for this position?

A Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Music Business, Data Science, or a related field is required; a Master’s degree or MBA is preferred.

Is this a remote position or does it require office work?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What is the salary or compensation for this role?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What makes a strong candidate for this VP position?

Ideal candidates have deep understanding of music rights, publishing, royalties, and distribution models, plus familiarity with industry standards like ISRC, ISWC, and IPI, along with experience in the music or entertainment sector.

Universal Music Group

Global music recording, publishing, and distribution

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group (UMG) operates as a major player in the global music industry, engaging in recording, publishing, and distribution across over 60 countries. The company works with a wide range of clients, from famous artists like Elton John and Taylor Swift to new and independent musicians. UMG's operations include selling physical and digital music, streaming services, licensing music for various media, and organizing live performances. The company signs artists to contracts, produces their music, and manages their publishing rights, while also offering marketing and promotional services to help artists expand their reach. UMG generates revenue through multiple channels, including music sales, streaming subscriptions, licensing fees, live performances, and merchandise. This diverse approach allows UMG to maintain its leadership position in the music market by providing comprehensive support to artists and capitalizing on various revenue opportunities.

Santa Monica, CaliforniaHeadquarters

1934Year Founded

$3,890.9MTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Consumer Goods, EntertainmentIndustries

10,001+Employees

Benefits

Competitive Salary

401k

Flexible PTO

Medical, dental, visiion insurance

Student Loan Repayment Assistance & Tuition Reimbursement

Well-Being Allowance

Risks

Legal battle with Drake over 'pay-for-play' could harm UMG's reputation.

Downtown Music acquisition may face regulatory scrutiny, delaying expansion plans.

AI partnership with Amazon may not fully address evolving AI content challenges.

Differentiation

UMG leads the music industry with a diverse global presence in 60+ countries.

UMG's artist-centric streaming model enhances engagement and revenue for musicians.

UMG's strategic partnerships, like with Amazon, bolster innovation and content protection.

Upsides

UMG's acquisition of Downtown Music boosts its independent music sector presence.

Partnership with KLAY Vision positions UMG as a leader in AI-driven music innovation.

Collaboration with WPP enhances UMG's marketing capabilities and global reach.

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