Creative Director- Creative Services

📌 Core Information

🔹 Job Title: Creative Director - Creative Services

🔹 Company: Universal Music Group

🔹 Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

🔹 Job Type: Full-Time

🔹 Category: Creative, Design & Production

🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-15

🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years

🔹 Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Job Overview

Key aspects of this role include:

• Overseeing and guiding the Creative Services team for iconic artists
• Motivating and elevating creative work across various disciplines
• Collaborating with multiple teams to create best-in-class creative work
• Maintaining a strong narrative for artists and campaigns

ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of creativity, leadership, and collaboration to ensure that the creative services team delivers high-quality work that aligns with the vision and brand of each artist.

📋 Key Responsibilities

✅ Directly mentor and manage creatives across design, photo, and video teams, as well as ACD, Content

✅ Oversee, motivate, and elevate creative work across disciplines, focusing on graphic design, store theming and design, as well as photo and video/motion graphics content to support merchandise marketing

✅ Conceive, develop, and implement concepts in partnership with Creative Strategy team members and relevant stakeholders

✅ Serve as the through line of vision and narrative across multiple creative touchpoints

✅ Bring knowledge and understanding of trend-based music and merch landscapes to multiple departments and clients

✅ Keep teams culturally literate and looped into bigger trends across web, media, fashion, and music

✅ Lead brainstorming and ideation sessions to foster innovation and mentor and develop creative team members

✅ Provide feedback to teams on creative concepts, deliverables, and proposals

ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of collaboration and communication with various teams and stakeholders, requiring strong leadership and project management skills.

🎯 Required Qualifications

Education: Degree in graphic design, visual communications, interactive design, or related discipline

Experience: 10-12 years of experience in a creative role

Required Skills:

• Proven experience as a creative director or in a similar creative leadership role
• Hands-on experience in the creative process – concepting, design development, and execution
• Excellent command of Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Keynote
• Experience with Figma, Shopify, web technologies, and e-commerce is a plus
• Outstanding leadership and organizational skills with a desire to motivate teams
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interface with many different departments, as well as leadership across the organization and artist teams

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the music industry
• Fluency in multiple languages

ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in the music industry and/or e-commerce will have a competitive advantage in this role.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $90,000 - $192,500 per year

Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and FSA options
• 100% coverage for out-patient mental health services
• Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and more (up to $720/year)
• 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

Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week

ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a creative director role in the music industry. The actual base salary offered may vary based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and location.

📌 Applicant Insights

🔍 Company Context

Industry: Universal Music Group is a global leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries.

Company Size: 10,001+ employees

Founded: Universal Music Group was founded in 1934 and has since grown into a multinational corporation with a vast catalog of recordings and songs across every musical genre.

Company Description:

• Universal Music Group is committed to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship
• The company fosters the development of services, platforms, and business models to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for its artists and create new experiences for fans
• UMG's labels include A&M Records, Astralwerks, Blue Note Records, Capitol Christian Music Group, Capitol Records, and many more

Company Specialties:

• Music and entertainment

Company Website: Universal Music Group

ASSUMPTION: Universal Music Group's extensive experience and resources in the music industry provide a unique opportunity for the Creative Director to work with some of the most iconic artists in the world.

📊 Role Analysis

Career Level: This role is a senior-level position, requiring a high level of expertise and leadership in creative direction and management.

Reporting Structure: The Creative Director will oversee and manage the Creative Services team and collaborate with multiple teams, including Creative Strategy, Experience & Site Merchandising, Store Management, and Tech/Development teams.

Work Arrangement: This role is on-site, with the possibility of occasional remote work for specific projects or meetings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Potential to work with a wide range of artists and brands within the Universal Music Group portfolio
• Opportunities to mentor and develop junior team members, fostering a culture of growth and innovation
• Potential to expand the role's scope and influence as the company continues to grow and evolve

ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role offers a unique opportunity to work with iconic artists and brands, driving creative excellence and innovation within the music industry.

🌍 Location & Work Environment

Office Type: Universal Music Group's headquarters are located in Santa Monica, California, with additional offices in New York, London, and other major cities worldwide. The Philadelphia office is a regional hub for the company's operations in the Northeast United States.

Office Location(s): 2220 Colorado Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90401, USA; 1755 Broadway Ave, New York, NY 10018, USA; 21301 Burbank Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 91367, USA; 2220 Colorado Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404, USA; 392 Kwun Tong Rd, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, HK

Geographic Context:

• The Philadelphia office is located in the heart of the city, offering easy access to public transportation and nearby amenities
• The city is known for its rich musical history and vibrant arts scene, providing a unique cultural context for the role
• Philadelphia is the sixth-most populous city in the United States, with a diverse population and a thriving economy

Work Schedule: The work schedule for this role is typically Monday through Friday, with the possibility of occasional weekend or evening work for specific projects or events.

ASSUMPTION: The Philadelphia office provides a dynamic and engaging work environment, with opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of artists and teams within the Universal Music Group portfolio.

💼 Interview & Application Insights

Typical Process:

• Online application and resume submission
• Phone or video screening with the HR department
• In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and key team members
• Final interviews with senior leadership
• Background check and reference check

Key Assessment Areas:

• Candidates' portfolios and creative direction experience
• Leadership and management skills
• Collaboration and communication skills
• Industry knowledge and understanding of trend-based music and merch landscapes

Application Tips:

• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative direction experience and accomplishments
• Research Universal Music Group and the music industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the position

ATS Keywords: Creative Direction, Graphic Design, Visual Communications, Interactive Design, Leadership, Mentoring, E-commerce, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Keynote, Figma, Shopify, Web Technologies, Organizational Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Trend Analysis

ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing candidates' creative direction experience, leadership skills, and cultural fit within the Universal Music Group organization.

🛠️ Tools & Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Keynote
• Figma
• Shopify
• Web Technologies

ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies listed are essential for the Creative Director to effectively manage and collaborate with the Creative Services team and other departments within Universal Music Group.

👔 Cultural Fit Considerations

Company Values:

• Artistry: UMG is committed to fostering and nurturing artistic talent and expression
• Innovation: UMG encourages creativity, experimentation, and continuous learning
• Entrepreneurship: UMG fosters a culture of ownership, initiative, and accountability

Work Style:

• Collaborative: UMG values teamwork, partnership, and cross-functional collaboration
• Dynamic: UMG operates in a fast-paced, ever-evolving industry, requiring adaptability and flexibility
• Creative: UMG encourages creativity, innovation, and artistic expression in all aspects of its business

Self-Assessment Questions:

• How do you align with Universal Music Group's commitment to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship?
• How do you approach collaboration and partnership with diverse teams and stakeholders?
• How do you maintain a creative and dynamic work environment, even in the face of challenges or setbacks?

ASSUMPTION: Candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with Universal Music Group's values and work style will be more likely to succeed in this role.

⚠️ Potential Challenges

• The role requires managing and motivating a team of creatives, which can be challenging and time-consuming
• The music industry is constantly evolving, requiring the Creative Director to stay up-to-date with trends and adapt to changes
• The role involves working with high-profile artists and brands, which can come with unique pressures and expectations
• The on-site work arrangement may require occasional travel or remote work for specific projects or events

ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director must be prepared to navigate these challenges and adapt to the unique demands of the role and the music industry.

📈 Similar Roles Comparison

• Creative Director roles in other industries may have less focus on trend-based music and merch landscapes
• Creative Director roles in smaller organizations may have less resources and support for creative services teams
• Creative Director roles in other music industry companies may have different artist portfolios and brand requirements

ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director role at Universal Music Group offers a unique opportunity to work with iconic artists and brands, driving creative excellence and innovation within the music industry.

📝 Sample Projects

• Developing a cohesive visual identity for an artist's merchandise line, including graphic design, photo, and video/motion graphics content
• Creating a themed storefront for an artist's online merchandise store, including custom graphics, animations, and interactive elements
• Designing and producing promotional materials for an artist's tour or album release, including posters, flyers, and social media graphics

ASSUMPTION: The Creative Director will be involved in a wide range of projects, requiring a diverse skill set and adaptability to different creative challenges.

❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview

• What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
• How does this role fit into the broader organizational structure and strategy for the Creative Services team?
• What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to address them?
• How does Universal Music Group support the professional development and growth of its creative team members?
• What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this role, and how will my success be measured?

ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to success.

📌 Next Steps for Applicants

To apply for this position:

• Submit your application through this link
• Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
• Prepare a portfolio showcasing your creative direction experience and accomplishments
• Research Universal Music Group and the music industry to demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role
• Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to demonstrate your interest in the position
• Follow up with the hiring manager one week after the interview to express your continued interest in the role

⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.